Further to our previous work on the new National Disability Strategy, QAI recently provided a submission to the Department of Social Services regarding the proposed National Disability Employment Strategy. With the underrepresentation of people with disability in employment persisting despite continued investment in employment initiatives, it is clear that the current approach is not working. Moreover, evidence from the Disability Royal Commission has demonstrated that some initiatives, such as models of segregated employment, put people with disability at increased risk of experiencing abuse, neglect and exploitation. A new approach is therefore required. People with disability must be supported to realise their right to work in a way that respects their dignity, skills and human rights. For this to occur, there needs to be an ideological shift in how people with disability are perceived by the community at large, including by policy-makers.
You can read the full submission at the links below: