This plan reflects other important reforms and strategies that aim to improve the quality of life for people with disability in Victoria. These are discussed below.
Parliamentary inquiry
In June 2017 the Family and Community Development Committee of the Victorian Parliament tabled its Inquiry into Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: final report. The inquiry was held over two years and included 154 submissions and 89 witnesses, as well as a study tour to look at best practice in other countries.
The report made 101 recommendations to improve supports, services and inclusion of autistic people. These recommendations set the foundation for this plan.
The government welcomed the report, investing $22.4 million to take some immediate actions. These included:
- developing a public education campaign about autism
- supporting autistic people to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- strengthening support for autistic children in the early years and in the school system
- developing a responsive workforce to meet the diverse needs of autistic Victorians
- creating new sport and recreation opportunities for autistic Victorians
- strengthening support for autistic girls and women and autistic Victorians in rural and regional areas.
A significant number of autistic people, their families and supporters shared their knowledge and experience through the work of the inquiry. The Victorian autism plan acknowledges and draws on that body of testimony.
Absolutely everyone: state disability plan 2017–2020
Absolutely everyone is the government's strategic policy on disability. It sets out the vision of an inclusive Victoria that supports people with disability to live satisfying everyday lives and participate on an equal basis with other Victorians.
Absolutely everyone provides the framework to implement, monitor and report on the Victorian autism plan. In particular it is the basis for the outcome framework, indicators and measures that structure and inform this plan.
"The social model seeks to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment; it does not seek to change persons with impairment to accommodate society."1
– People with Disability Australia
The state disability plan is also the Victorian Government's primary tool for implementing the National disability strategy 2010–2020 and meeting its responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Absolutely everyone reflects a social model of disability. The social model recognises that while many people have additional physical or nonphysical requirements, it is only when a society's attitudes, environments and systems fail to accommodate these additional requirements that the concept of disability arises.
Every opportunity: Victorian economic participation plan for people with disability 2018–2020
Every opportunity is the Victorian Government's economic participation plan for people with disability. It includes actions to improve the lives of Victorians with disability as workers, employers, entrepreneurs, investors and consumers. Some of the actions in Every opportunity specifically aim to increase the employment of autistic Victorians.
Victorian carer strategy 2018–22
The Victorian carer strategy is the first whole-of-government strategy that recognises and supports the important role of Victorian carers. Carers for people with disability are a core focus of the strategy.
The strategy aims to support carers where they need it most. Its five priority areas will support carers to:
- be healthy and well
- be engaged in education, employment and community
- access respite and other supports they need when they want them
- have less financial stress
- be recognised, acknowledged and respected.
The Victorian carer strategy has been developed with input from carers and peak bodies.
Victoria's disability abuse prevention strategy – dignity, respect and safer services
The disability abuse prevention strategy is part of the Victorian Government's response to the 2015–16 Parliamentary Inquiry into Abuse in Disability Services. It recognises the role service providers and the disability sector have in stopping abuse from happening and sets out strategies to build the capacity of people with disability to assert their rights and voice.
Education State
Inclusive education is an important part of the Victorian Government's vision for Victoria as the Education State. The inclusive education agenda is strengthening the capacity of the Victorian education system to support students with disability and additional needs, including autism, to ensure these students participate, achieve and thrive at school.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
The NDIS is a significant reform helping to change how disability is viewed and what people with disability can achieve with the right supports. Victoria is investing $2.5 billion a year into the NDIS for disability supports.
Autistic people make up one of the largest groups accessing the NDIS in Victoria. However, there are a range of issues that are limiting the effectiveness of the NDIS for autistic Victorians.
The plan outlines how the Victorian Government will advocate with the Commonwealth and the National Disability Insurance Agency to increase the equity and accessibility of the scheme for autistic people.
The NDIS offers direct services to around 10 per cent of people with disability. However, people with disability who are not in the scheme need to access mainstream services that provide accessible and appropriately delivered services.
For this reason, the plan sets out actions that will make Victorian workforces and services more capable and responsive when meeting the needs of autistic people.
Royal commissions
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established on 4 April 2019 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. The inquiry will cover all forms of violence against, and abuse, neglect and exploitation of, people with disability, in all settings and contexts.
The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System is the first of its kind in Australia. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate improvements in access to mental health services, service navigation and models of care.
Both royal commissions address issues that directly affect many autistic Victorians. Accordingly, this plan sets out ways in which it will support the voice and advocacy of autistic people and their families.
Family violence reform
The Victorian Government is committed to implementing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. A key aspect of the government's family violence reform agenda is improving responses to people with disability experiencing family violence. Women and children with disability are disproportionately likely to experience family violence, and people with disability face additional barriers to reporting family violence and accessing support. Everybody matters: Inclusion and equity statement sets out the Victorian Government's long-term vision for creating a family violence system that is more inclusive, safe, responsive and accountable to all Victorians.
References
[1] Sourced from the People with Disability Australia website
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