Key Commitments under the Strategy

This Strategy sets out a whole-of-Government approach to disability. We will progressively realise the rights of disabled people under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by delivering on the following commitments under five Pillars. The articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have informed the level of ambition, key commitments and priority actions to be delivered on under each Pillar.

Each Pillar has a brief statement of facts, an ambition statement, and a range of key commitments with priority actions identified for delivery during 2025-2026.

Over the lifetime of this Strategy, other commitments and priority actions will be identified for delivery in Programme Plans of Action on a two-yearly basis.

Under this pillar, the Strategy commits to the following:

• Inclusive Education

We will create a more inclusive education system for disabled children and young people that will respect the rights of everyone to choose and access the learning environments that meet their unique needs.

• Transitions

We will improve retention rates and progression for disabled children and young people as they deal with transitions within education. We will support their participation and progress as they move from home through early learning and school to further education and enter the world of work or other adult paths.

• Supporting Inclusion

We will help educators and staff to create learning spaces that are friendly and supportive of all disabled children and young people.

Under this pillar, the Strategy commits to the following:

• Civil and Public Sector

We will maximise opportunities and access for disabled people to get meaningful work in the civil and public sector.

• Private Sector

We will actively promote the hiring and career advancement of disabled people across the private sector.

• Supporting Disabled People to Work

We will provide the right supports at the right time for disabled people to access work or return to work.

Under this pillar, the Strategy commits to the following:

• Individualised Supports

We will deliver the right individual supports at the right time so that disabled people using disability services can maximise their opportunities to live independently and choose to be an active part of their local communities.

• Participation in Social and Cultural Life

We will increase the participation of disabled people in social and cultural life, including in arts, tourism, and sport. We will improve accessibility across arts, cultural, and sporting events.

• Participation in Public and Political Life

We will enable disabled people to have meaningful engagement in political life and public for a and to actively engage in elections on an equitable basis as citizens.

• Disability Services and Supports

We will improve access to supports and enable disabled people, particularly those with more complex disabilities, to live a full life in the community.

• Housing

We will enhance the effective delivery of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (2022 – 2027).

• Local Authorities

We will support the inclusion of disabled people in their local communities by continuing to improve our services and by creating accessible environments where all disabled people can live independently and participate fully in all aspects of community life.

• Criminal Justice System

We will ensure that disabled people have access to justice on an equal basis with others and that they do not unnecessarily enter the Criminal Justice system. We will improve the experience of disabled people in custody accessing services.

Under this pillar, the strategy commits to –

• Accessible Health Services

We will create a more accessible and inclusive mainstream health service for disabled people.

• Safeguarding

We will ensure that disabled people are treated with respect and dignity, have their welfare promoted and receive support in an environment in which every effort is made to promote welfare and prevent abuse.

• Health Promotion and Wellbeing

We will enhance disabled people’s overall health and wellbeing.

• Youth Mental Health

We will ensure that all disabled children and young people are supported to access the mental health services they need.

• Supporting all Disabled Children and their Families

We will achieve a quality, accessible, equitable and timely service for all disabled children and their families based on their needs.

• Oral Health

We will ensure that disabled children and adults can benefit from improved access to oral healthcare.

• Screening Services

We will ensure that disabled people are made aware of the supports available to them in accessing the National Screening Service through improved targeted promotion.

• Audiology Services

We will ensure that disabled children and adults who develop hearing loss can benefit from appropriate and timely interventions.

Under this pillar, the Strategy commits to –

• Seamless and Accessible Journeys in Urban and Rural Areas

We will take a “whole-of-journey” approach applying Universal Design principles in the development of infrastructure and services to improve the accessibility of our transport system across the country.

• Personal Mobility

We will support those who cannot use or access any public transport, or who may need private transport to get to and from public transport, by providing disabled people with enhanced personal mobility options.