Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 1.8 times more likely to have a disability but proportionately do not use disability support services as much as other Australians with disability, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services Jane Prentice said today.

“It is a statistic we must improve. We must ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability have access to support services and are able to use them,” Mrs Prentice said.

Mrs Prentice was speaking at the second National Disability Strategy workshop on Creating inclusive and accessible communities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability in Sydney.

Representatives at the workshop included disability advocates and sector representatives, academics, people with disability, and policy makers from all tiers of government.

The Australian Government is committed to driving action to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability,” Mrs Prentice said.

“The Government’s plan, Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability, released last year demonstrates this commitment.”

Two major topics of the workshop were:

• appropriate infrastructure to make communities accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• appropriately designed shelter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“It is not just about bricks and mortar or building more ramps, although this is vital,” Mrs Prentice said. “It is also about the broader aspects of language, culture and spiritual connection to country, which are integral to how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability live and connect with their community.

“The Australian Government appreciates the workshop participants giving careful consideration to this crucial element of community life.

“The workshop builds on key areas of the Australian Government plan as well as the outcomes of the first National Disability Strategy workshop on Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Disability, held 12 months ago.

“The Commonwealth’s position remains that all levels of government continue to play a role in disability support and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly as the vast majority of people with disability will not be NDIS participants and the services they access are often at the state or local government level.”

Mrs Prentice will share the workshop recommendations with her state and territory counterparts through the Disability Reform Council and with members of the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council.

“The workshop recommendations will provide valuable advice to government and help inform policy development and future actions,” Mrs Prentice said.