Royal Commission asks for submissions about disability rights and attitudes

The Rights and attitudes issues paper has been designed to assist the Royal Commission with understanding people’s awareness and understanding of the rights of people with disability.

They want to know how aware people with disability and in the broader community are of the rights of people with disability, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). As well as understand the extent to which organisations and governments recognise, promote and safeguard these rights in laws, policies and practices.

 They are also seeking feedback about community attitudes towards people with disability and how well advocacy is working for people with disability, to prevent or help respond to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

 Disability advocacy may include: 

• Self-advocacy: when a person or group with disability speaks up or acts to represent themselves. 

• Individual advocacy: where support is provided to an individual person by a professional advocate or other supporters.

• Legal advocacy: where lawyers give legal advice to people with disability about discrimination and human rights, or represent people with disability in a court or tribunal.

• Systemic advocacy: long-term changes to make laws, policies and practices work better for people with disability.

Chair of the Commission Ronald Sackville AO QC is encouraging people with disability and their families, advocates, organisations and experts to provide responses to the latest issues paper to help the Royal Commission with understanding the issues and how they are linked to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.

He explains, “We want to understand how aware people are of the rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and how organisations and governments promote and safeguard these rights in laws, policies and practices.

“We know that community attitudes can be a barrier to inclusion, and may also contribute to increased risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“We are keen to hear from people about what can be done to improve attitudes towards people with disability.”

As well as issues papers, the Royal Commission is asking people to share their story and experience of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation by making a submission.

The Royal Commission has received more than 840 submissions so far and more than 200 requests for private sessions.

The Royal Commission would like to have responses by 31 July 2020. But will still accept answers after this date if you need more time.

Responses can be provided as audio or video recording or email to [email protected] or in writing to GPO Box 1422, Brisbane, Queensland 4001. You can also provide one via phone on 1800 517 199 or +61 7 3734 1900.

What are your experiences with the attitudes of others? Tell us in the comments below or send an email to [email protected].