Office of Disability

The first scheduled meeting of the Northern Territory (NT) Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) was held on 7 July 2020.  The Minister for Disabilities, the Honourable Natasha Fyles, welcomed members to the meeting and thanked members for putting their hands up to be Members of the Committee.  The Minister noted the important role of the DAC to represent people in the NT living with disabilities to provide advice to Government on issues affecting them.

The purpose of the meeting was to talk about the frameworks and policies that are in place internationally and in Australia which support the rights of people with disability and which guide Commonwealth and State/Territory governments in ensuring they meet their obligations to people with disability. Including through ensuring that people with disability have access to the supports and services they need to have a good life and equal opportunities in life as other Australians.

Mr Damian Griffis, Chief Executive Officer of the First Peoples Disability Network, made a presentation to the DAC. Mr Griffis talked about:

• the First Nations Disability Network its establishment and role.
• the importance of culture and how this can influence the way people view disability and how people with disability are treated.
• the United Nations Human Rights System and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous people; the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability.
• the Royal Commission into Violence Abuse and Neglect of People with Disability.

Mr Griffis spoke to members about the importance of their role as advocates and representatives of people with disability in the NT.  He provided inspiration to members in talking about how people with disability may seek to advocate for their own rights and the rights of others.

More information about the First People’s Disability Network can be found at:  https://fpdn.org.au/.

Ms Kate Costello, from the Australian Government, Department of Social Services talked to Members about the National Disability Strategy.  Ms Costello talked about:

• the key policy areas addressed by the National Disability Strategy;
• the development of the new National Disability Strategy; and
• consultations that are planned to occur for the new Strategy and how the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee could be involved in these.

More information about the new National Disability Strategy is available at the Department of Social Services webpage.  Information about upcoming consultations for the Strategy will be available from the Department of Social Service engage webpage.

Members of the Committee talked about two key discussion points in the meeting:

• What makes a good life?
• What is your experience of mainstream services?

What makes a good life?

Members were asked to talk about what makes a good life for them, the things that are important to them and the people they care for and how we can achieve this.

Key themes discussed by members were as follows:

• Community awareness and understanding regarding disability and the importance of educating the community to promote and develop this.
• Inclusion, communication and acceptance in your community as key to supporting the quality of life of individuals and their families and carers.
• The fundamental importance of family and your support networks to achieving a good life, noting their role as advocates and believers in your capacity and ability.
• The ability to access the specialist services, supports and technology that you need in order for you to carry on with your daily life and to be able to engage in the community, your workplace and in activities of your choice.
• Options to have choice and control in the supports and services you choose and how they are provided.  Members noted that this option was not available in rural and remote areas and this detrimentally affected their quality of life.
• Being independent and feeling empowered to be able to be your own advocate.
• The importance of supports for families of people with disability, both carers and dependents. Noting that few people are islands and the impacts of disability on family also need to be considered and supported to maintain these important relationships.
• Security and safety, including ensuring you have access to a stable home, economic security, a career and options to work and solid support networks; and that you feel safe in the community.
• Access to mainstream services, including education and transport.

What is your experience of mainstream services?

Members were asked to talk about their experience of using mainstream services, including what services worked well for them, things that need to be improved and how it could be better.

Key points raised by Members across a variety of areas were as follows:

• Services and expert advice, when available has been good. There has been some improvement in some mainstream areas particularly around provision of real time captioning and interpreters.
• Increased education and awareness of mainstream service providers, including schools and health services is still needed around some conditions and disabilities. This includes education of those less visible disabilities and to accommodate high turnover of staff, particularly in remote and regional areas.
• There are challenges around service delivery and availability in remote areas. This makes it difficult to access specialist services and appointments when needed.
• General infrastructure including public transport, access to buildings, equipment on aeroplanes continue to be a struggle.
• Infrastructure requirements in remote areas still requires work. This may include aids to improve accessibility to buildings, aids to ensure people in buildings are safe.
• Having access to transport, and out of care transport is important to access services and community events is important.
• Need more programs to promote and support exercise and social interaction for people with disability.
• Communication around service delivery could be improved. Lack of communication of available services mean services are not being utilised.
• Limited options for children with disabilities post school.
• COVID-19 has stopped many services, such as respite and support. There are limited services in Alice Springs because it is classed as remote.

The date for the next meeting of the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee will be provided on the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee webpage when it has been confirmed.

Chris Blackham-Davison
Vice Chair, Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee

The second scheduled meeting of the Northern Territory (NT) Disability advisory Committee (DAC) was held on the 5 November 2020.

The purpose of the meeting was to talk about the development of the NT Disability Strategy, the Northern Territory Plan to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability and the National Disability Strategy.   Members of the DAC were asked to talk about what they would like to see included in the NT Disability Strategy (the NT Strategy) and to provide advice on how the Department of Territory Families Housing and Communities should consult with people with disability and other key members of the community to gain their input to the NT Strategy.  The meeting was the first opportunity for many Members to meet the Minister for Disabilities, the Honourable Kate Worden MLA, and the Chief Executive of the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (DTFHC) which supports the DAC.

Dan English, Northern Territory Manager of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), presented to the DAC.  Mr English spoke to members about the following NDIS initiatives:

• Remote Community Connector Program;
• Participant’s Service Charter;
• Participant Service Guarantee; and the
• Participant’s Improvement Plan.

Mr English explained to members that the Community Connectors are employed as trusted members of the community in which they work; and that since the introduction of Community Connectors their role has broadened from creating awareness of the NDIS and supporting people in community to access the NDIS to helping NDIS participants to use the supports in their plans.  Mr English also talked about the positive changes that are being made with the introduction of the Participant Charter, Service Guarantee and Improvement Plan.  He noted that the changes were improving the timeliness of services provided to NDIS participants and supporting the NDIS to be transparent, responsive, respectful, empowering and connected.

Ms Andrea Mason OAM, Commissioner for the Disability Royal Commission into Violence Abuse and Neglect (the Commission), presented to the Committee.  The Commissioner explained that the Terms of Reference for the Commission specifically asks that attention be paid to the needs and experiences of First Nations People, and noted this is the first time these stories have been told.  The Commissioner shared some of the key responses the Commission has received from First Nations People, particularly in response to the Royal Commission’s First Nations People with Disability Discussion Paper and provided Members with a summary of key findings from the Commission’s Interim Report.  The Commission noted that the First Nations engagement team, located in Brisbane, are scheduled to come to the Northern Territory in the beginning of April 2021. The purpose of the team is to go across Australia and engage with First Nations communities and people with disability to have a say and tell their story.

Northern Territory Disability Strategy

Members spoke about their vision for the NT Strategy, the principles that should guide the NT Strategy and priorities that should be considered for inclusion in the NT Strategy.

Vision

Members talked about the following ideas that they through were important and should be included in the vision:

• Inclusive communities – People with disability are involved, accepted and are a part of their communities.
• People with disability have universal access to the built environment, services care and supports, information and communication.  Members noted that universal access across all these areas should also include universal access for people who live in remote areas.
• People with disability have equal opportunities to others.
• People with disability have a say on, and knowledge of, those things that affect them.
• Commitment and accountability (of all stakeholders, including government) to make the NT Strategy happen and to make a difference.

Principles

In addition to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability. Members said the following principles should be included in the NT Strategy to reflect the Northern Territory and our values and out beliefs in what is rights and fair for people with disability.

• Cultural Rights
• Equitable access to services regardless of where you live
• Safety
• Choice and control
• Strength-based and trauma informed
• Education and de-stigmatisation
• Recognition of the importance of carers and significant others and family inclusion
• All agents work as a team

Priorities

The following priorities were discussed by members for inclusion in the Strategy:

• Review and update of the laws that define the rights of people with disability and the obligations of others to ensure these rights.
• Better access to allied health professionals.
• More options for people with disability once they leave school.
• Access to employment.

Northern Territory Disability Strategy - Consultation

Members provided the following suggestions about the best ways to let people in their community know about the NT Disability Strategy and to get people’s ideas on what should be included in the Strategy.

• Using existing community groups, local government councils and schools and their communication channels and tools and existing representative groups.
• Using key contact points for people with disability and their families, carers and guardians to share information such as GPs, clinics and schools.
• Social Media campaigns (in plain English and language) and using visual information (photos and videos).
• Use of community radio and TV
• Meetings and input sessions targeting stakeholders.

Members noted a number of barriers that can stop people giving their input and solutions to address these.

The Minister for Disabilities, the Honourable Kate Worden MLA thanked members for sharing their idea and their thoughts on the NT Disability Strategy. The Minister noted the important work to be done on the Strategy and that the NT Government was grateful to members for their time and contribution. She noted that the Committee was one of a kind in its representation of people with lived experience of disability.

Ken Davies, Chief Executive of the DTFHC noted that the new agency is well placed to work with the DAC to make sure people with disability are getting the right support and the right services in the Northern Territory.

The date for the next meeting of the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee will be provided on the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee webpage when it has been confirmed.

Chris Blackham-Davison
Vice Chair, Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee