Have your say on the ACT Disability Strategy

2022-03-31

The ACT Government has launched the ACT Disability Strategy consultation to hear from the community on how Canberrans with disability can have equitable inclusion across our city.

The Strategy will provide a framework for inclusive policies, programs and infrastructure for people with disability across the Territory for the next ten years.  The ACT Disability Strategy will provide a local focus to and support the priorities under the Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.

Minister for Disability Emma Davidson is encouraging the whole community to participate and shape a more equitable, inclusive and accessible future for our city.

“To create a more inclusive and accessible Canberra, we need to ensure all people in our community can live a good life. We must truly work with the disability community to ensure our future is deeply-rooted in equality and accessibility,” Minister Davidson said.

“The consultation process was designed by people with disability and will be led by people with disability to ensure that the voices of the community are front and centre of this Strategy. We look forward to hearing from people with disability, families, carers, supporters and interested community members on what we can do to support a good life here in Canberra.”

“When people with disability can engage in our political, social, economic and cultural life, our city becomes better connected and supported. The voices of people with disability have been at the forefront of many decisions which benefit the whole community, such as minimum accessibility standards, hearing, vision and mobility access on public transport, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and more equitable outcomes across our justice system.”

Canberrans can participate in the consultation process through a number of activities, such as kitchen table conversations to online surveys and public meetings from April until the end of July.

Participants will talk about what a good life looks like, what the challenges they face are, and to share ideas on how to make it easier for people with disability to live the kind of life they want.

Chair of the ACT Disability Reference Group Renée Heaton said: “I am so excited to be starting consultations for the ACT’s Disability Strategy and I’m so pleased it’s being led by people with disability themselves. Canberra is a great community, but we can make it better. For me, I want to access all the things I need to make a great life and for our community to be full of people who understand disability and take actions to be inclusive. I am hopeful our new Strategy can achieve all of this and more.”

Consultation is open until 31 July 2022. For more information on the consultation, please visit https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/act-disability-strategy