Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697634169557.pdf (Australia)
Response to the Inquiry into Violence, Abuse and Neglect against People with Disabilities in Institutional and Residential Settings June 2015 Leadership Plus, 25 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 03 9489 2999 Page 1 Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including thegender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people withdisability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilitySubmission 95 Leadership Plus is funded through the National Disability Advocacy Program, working in the state of Victoria.
In Victoria there are over thirty disability advocacy agencies funded through the state program and national program.

These funding streams are independent of disability service delivery, providing independent disability advocacy.
Leadership Plus believes that all of the established models of advocacy: individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, self advocacy, legal advocacy and citizen advocacy have particular relevance and impact when considering how to address the serious issues of violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability.

Currently, it is unclear how Disability Advocacy will be funded and structured post the NDIS roll out.
Advocacy is involved in issues relating to human rights and an example of the advocacy work we do, the top three issues Leadership Plus reports over the last several months are:   Services – service delivery and quality including disability specific agencies and others, Finances – including financial management issues with appointed Administrators, capacity to manage personal income, loss (or risk of loss) of funds due to theft or mismanagement by friends or family, and  Accommodation – for example, having appropriate housing, maintaining tenancy in public and community housing, risk of homelessness, addressing safety concerns The community of people with disability is diverse and there is no question that some of the most vulnerable members are those without known and active family members or friends and those who are dependent upon the disability service structure for all activities of daily living and knowledge of rights.
With this in mind, the value of peer support, self help groups and self advocacy groups cannot be underestimated.

For example, in residential service settings the entry of peer educators and the development of self advocacy groups can significantly impact the quality of service and in fact, the quality of life for people with disability.
It is our experience that through these networks of self advocacy there is greater contact with advocacy, an increased understanding of rights and with the informal support of a group or group members there is an increased chance of people with disability taking action.

Leadership Plus has read the submission made by Communication Rights Australia and the Disability Discrimination Legal Service and fully endorses their response.

Please the recommendations from the submission listed below.
Recommendation1: A commitment by government to compulsory formal speech pathology/language assessments every two years for people with disabilities who have complex communication needs throughout their schooling.
Such assessments should be accompanied by speech Leadership Plus, 25 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 03 9489 2999 Page 2 Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including thegender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people withdisability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilitySubmission 95 pathology/language programs which have measurable outcomes and are monitored and evaluated every term.
Recommendation 2: A commitment by government to fund all communication devices necessary throughout the life of a person with a disability who has complex communication needs, and ongoing training for staff to work with that person.

Recommendation 3: The funding of Communication Support Workers to enable people with complex communication needs to use such workers to communicate to independent bodies, modelled on the funding for Auslan Interpreters available to the Deaf Community.
Intermediary services available to people with disabilities in the United Kingdom for legal matters could inform this model.

Recommendation 4: Counselling services for victims of crime receive training to work with people who have complex disabilities, communication or speech difficulties.

Recommendation 5: Resources allocated to research best practice strategies to protect the rights of people who are vulnerable, marginalised and isolated.
Recommendation 6: Governments to commit to upholding the rights of people with disabilities by ensuring complaints handling processes are independent of service provision and government influence.

Recommendation 7: Governments commit to the adequate funding of independent advocacy organisations and community capacity building programs to assist individuals who are isolated, marginalised and vulnerable.
Recommendation 8: A national registration to be established to register and monitor staff who have undertaken the highest level of scrutiny, and as a consequence are permitted to work with vulnerable and marginalised people.

Such a system should also include international criminal checks when necessary.
Recommendation 9: Leadership Plus, 25 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 03 9489 2999 Page 3 Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including thegender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people withdisability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilitySubmission 95 In Victoria, the dismantling of the Office of the Disability Services Commissioner and replacement with an independent statutory authority that has powers to investigate and direct.
Recommendation 10: The widespread adoption of the South Australian Attorney-General’s Department Guidelines of ‘Supporting vulnerable witnesses in the giving of evidence’ throughout Australia as best practice.

Recommendation 11: Increased funding (as per the recommendations of the Productivity Commission) for specialised disability Community Legal Centres.

Recommendation 12: Minimum qualifications required for those working with people with disabilities across all areas of education and service provision.
Recommendation 13: Independent Schools Commissioner established with powers to investigate and direct.

Recommendation 14: All government schools require to prohibit the seclusion of students with disabilities.

Recommendation 15: Regulation of all restrictive practices in schools (Victoria only) through the Office of Professional Practice.

Recommendation 16: Office of Professional Practice given statutory independence and removed from the Department Of Health and Human Services.
Melanie Muir, Advocacy Team Leader Leadership Plus, 25 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 03 9489 2999 Page 4 Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including thegender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people withdisability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilitySubmission 95