Page 5459 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 16 November 2010
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partnering family, community and government members in strategic planning and decision making. I would like to thank the members of this group for their commitment to deliver this plan.
To develop the 22 actions in the plan, the strategic governance group hosted eight roundtables in the areas of inclusive communities, employment pathways, transport and parking, aids and equipment, housing, supporting families, justice and crime prevention and access to government.
A mix of people with diverse disabilities, their family members, community, business and government agencies took part in those roundtables, and I would like to thank the community members and agencies who shared their experience, knowledge and time. A report on the suggestions from the roundtables has been released by the strategic governance group, and the key message from roundtables confirm that we are on the right path to achieving the vision.
We heard about the need for concerted action by ACT and federal governments, community groups, schools and businesses. We heard that people with a disability and their families want the ACT government to invest in flexible funding models and service approaches that will give them greater choice and control over the way they obtain their support services, as well as to invest in innovative approaches to provide greater housing choices.
They told us people want the ACT and federal governments, community and businesses to work together to create opportunities for people with a disability which will lead to paid work, strengthen community networks, protect their human rights and make it easier for them to navigate and access services, supports and community activities.
They want the ACT government to take an active role in educating and supporting mainstream community groups and for employers to recognise and respect the contribution of people with a disability and to welcome them as valued family members, friends, employers, employees, clients and volunteers. The roundtable provided 183 separate suggestions for action. These have been considered in detail by the strategic governance group and ACT government agencies and form the basis of our new four-year implementation plan.
There are new areas for action. We will increase planning assistance for future housing, tenancies and support requirements, enhance access to aids and equipment, establish an ACT government disability employment strategy and enhance the promotion and protection of human rights for people with a disability. We will also strengthen and streamline access to information, support and accommodation services and implement a national quality framework.
The actions in the four-year implementation plan put the ACT at the forefront of the contemporary practice in terms of services and supports for people with a disability, in line with the reforms being pursued nationally. All Australian jurisdictions have committed, through the national disability strategy, to a whole of government effort in creating an inclusive Australian society which enables all people to fulfil their
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