One in five Canberrans have a disability; to help them fully and equally participate in all aspects of community life, the ACT Government has released a 10-year ACT Disability Strategy 2024-2033 and the First Action Plan 2024-2026.

“This Strategy will guide how the ACT Government works to create a more inclusive Canberra by making systemic changes to embed consideration of people with disability in everything we do,” Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Disability, said.

The Disability Strategy looks at education, health, and employment to make better outcomes for people with disability, their families, and carers.

People with disability are less likely to finish school, attend university or have paid employment, and more likely to experience violence, the minister noted.

Sixty per cent are economically disadvantaged, and more than one-third experience financial distress. They are twice as likely to be unemployed, and graduates take longer to gain full-time employment than other graduates. Fewer feel part of the community.

“People with disability want to access quality services and supports, work in jobs we find rewarding, and to engage in education and other opportunities on an equal basis to others,” Renée Heaton, chair of the Disability Reference Group, said.

“We want to head out to dinner with our mates, go to a concert or footy match and experience all the things our city and community have to offer, free from barriers. What we know is that we all want a Canberra where people with disability live a life of their choosing.”

The Government has allocated $5.54 million over four years to address the priorities in the Strategy. These initiatives include:

• Support for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to deliver culturally safe and inclusive services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability
• A 9 per cent employment target for people with disability in the ACT public service
• A peer support program to improve the wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people with disability
• Disability liaison officers in Housing ACT and Access Canberra; a communications hub in Access Canberra
• People with disability and their representative organisations will run the International Day of People with Disability celebrations
• Increasing Inclusion and I-Day Grants
• More training for domestic family and sexual violence workers
• A self-advocacy program for people with intellectually disability
• Providing accessible communications and information

“While there will be more to do, this is an important start, and we are pleased to see the Strategy is accompanied by a credible investment of resources along with policy intent and shifts in some key areas,” said Craig Wallace, head of policy for Advocacy for Inclusion.

Today’s launch follows the publication of the Disability Health Strategy in December.