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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (1 April) . . Page.. 1154 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

They are required to produce one or more discussion papers, options papers and policy proposals for submission to government. These groups, in partnership with Disability ACT, are essentially the engine that will guide and drive the reform agenda. There are a number of initiatives arising out of the government's response, although not specifically addressed in Steps to Reform, which are outside the scope of the working group.

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services conducted an extensive executive search and has recruited very experienced personnel to the executive director, director and senior manager's positions of Disability ACT. These executives-Ms Lois Ford, from New Zealand; Ms Roslyn Hayes, from Queensland; and Mr Gerry Brown, from the UK-are all committed to innovative leadership within Disability ACT. They are working with the disability sector to create a strong service and support network for people with disabilities.

It is our mission to develop new and better ways of assisting people with disabilities. We have established an innovation fund designed to encourage families, individuals and organisations to apply for funding, to explore new opportunities and flexible approaches to supporting people with disabilities.

There has been a high level of interest from people keen to contribute their experience and ideas. A panel of government and community representatives is currently evaluating the funding applications. You will be aware that the Disability Advisory Council and the Disability Reform Group completed their terms of office at the end of February.

We are establishing a new disability advisory council that combines the functions of both these groups, and I will announce the composition of that council shortly. More than 40 nominations were received for membership. The council will perform a very important role in advising government on issues like policy development, strategic planning and direction, legislation, consultation, service development, and budget and funding priorities.

It is vitally important that people with disabilities have appropriate access to government programs, services and facilities. To this end the government, along with Craig Wallace and the Disabled Peoples Initiative, is launching an accessibility audit kit to assist ACT government departments and instrumentalities to meet their responsibilities under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act and the ACT Discrimination Act.

Agencies will be required to conduct an audit using mandated reporting criteria, which will be used to develop a series of agency-specific disability action plans. The Department of Urban Services has already made progress in this area by piloting a disability action plan.

As I indicated earlier, the reform process is focused on the promotion of a values-based people-centred approach to responsive and individualised care, support and accommodation arrangements for people with a disability. We are developing a five-year strategic plan for Disability ACT to entrench these ideals within the organisation's services process. Disability ACT is also instituting a number of organisational improvements to enhance the quality and standard of direct support services.

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