The social model sees ‘disability’ is the result of the interaction between people living with impairments and an environment filled with physical, attitudinal, communication and social barriers. It therefore carries the implication that the physical, attitudinal, communication and social environment must change to enable people living with impairments to participate in society on an equal basis with others. A social model perspective does not deny the reality of impairment nor its impact on the individual. However, it does challenge the physical, attitudinal, communication and social environment to accommodate impairment as an expected incident of human diversity. The social model seeks to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment; it does not seek to change persons with impairment to accommodate society. It supports the view that people with disability have a right to be fully participating citizens on an equal basis with others. The social model of disability is now the internationally recognised way to view and address ‘disability’. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities marks the official paradigm shift in attitudes towards people with disability and approaches to disability concerns. People with disability are not "objects" of charity, medical treatment and social protection but "subjects" with rights, capable of claiming rights, able to make decisions for their own lives based on their free and informed consent and be active members of society. In this context: Impairment is a medical condition that leads to disability; while Disability is the result of the interaction between people living with impairments and barriers in the physical, attitudinal, communication and social environment. Stakeholder engagement governance In Standard 2 requires that: Governance structures are in to form partnerships with consumers and carers. Consumers and carers are supported by the health service organisation to actively participate in the improvement of the patient experience and patient health outcomes. Consumers and carers receive information on the health service organisation’s performance and contribute to the ongoing monitoring, measurement and evaluation of
“How to provide comment: We have provided a number of ways so all people can have a say. Choose your preference from the options. If you need help completing the questionnaire please contact us.” Sharing Healthy Conversations, Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability and Carers Advisory Council 2012 Commitment is made to: Engage with people with disability, families and carers and health and disability service providers to ensure partnership and collaboration to create and implement strategies to improve the health outcomes of people with disability. Create inclusive processes when engaging with stakeholders including methods, times, capacity that take into account competing demands on stakeholders. Achieve as broad a reach as possible by using not only mass communication tools but also targeted outreach to special interest and special needs groups. Targeted emails and social media will be used where appropriate. Use communication tools that comply with accessible printed communication guidelines (Disability Services Commission) and other best practices for accessible communication. Any form of engagement will provide a clear explanation of how people can participate. Some accessible communication resources are provided at Appendix 4. Transparency This section supports the principle of a transparent process. It requires that feedback be provided to the DHN membership and stakeholders regarding the activities and project outcomes of the DHN, EAG and WGs. “Effective information is vital to a successful consultation. Plan how you are going to tell people about it, and encourage them to take part. Plan also how you will feed back afterwards. One of the biggest complaints people have about consultation is that they don’t find out what happened as a result.” Parent and carer engagement toolkit, Newcastle City Council, UK, 2013 Engagement activities will use a continuous improvement approach to enable learning from experiences. Feedback will be encouraged and then used to guide future activities. The DHN utilises the WA Health Strategy and Networks Branch public website. This webpage is one strategy used to provide information and updates to stakeholders. Any member of the public can become a member of the DHN. Members of the network are sent WA Health NetNews and eBulletins to keep them informed of activities of the network and related matters. Briefing Notes and Ministerials will be used to provide advice to WA Health and the Disability Services Commission Directors General and relevant Ministers. Fundamental roles and activities Co Leads
hearing loss or deafness, impaired vision or blindness, or disabilities that affect the ability to learn or think (such as intellectual or psychiatric disability). Many communication difficulties can be avoided with informed planning and procedures such as: clear and concise language using appropriate font style and size providing information in alternative formats providing loops Auslan sign language interpreters captioning videos designing accessible websites displaying information in an accessible location. Accessibility Resources Disability Services Commission Guidelines on printed communication The checklist below follows the State Government Access Guidelines for Information, Services and Facilities and you need to answer ‘Yes’ to all questions. Text Have you used: plain English? clear headings? short sentences? no jargon? pictures and diagrams appropriate? Have you used a plain, sans serif font (such as Arial or Helvetica)? Is there colour contrast between the text and the background? Have you avoided UPPER CASE, underlining and italics? Is all text at a minimum of 12 point type size? Has the information been printed on matt or paper?
Is the text uncluttered with no background graphics, patterns and watermarks? Is the text left aligned? Is important information in bold or larger print? Is written material available on request in alternative formats such as large print, audio tape, computer disk or Braille? Is written material available on request in alternative formats and does it have a statement informing readers of this? For example “This publication is available in alternative formats on request.” For more information about accessibility requirements, contact the Disability Services Commission or email Australian Human Rights Commission Access resources These resources are available at Appendix 6 - Engagement actions to support respect, rights, inclusion and transparency Stakeholder Group see Appendix 3 for groups Activity People with disability, their families and carers including reference group(s) and networks Engage and consult to support the work of the Network to ensure genuine inclusion Consult to ensure work of Network addresses needs Provide appropriate and timely advice regarding progress of the work of the Network WA Health and area health services, health service providers including primary health care, peak and professional bodies and associations Raise awareness of disability and special need requirements Raise awareness of work of the Network Engage in work of the Network to ensure buy-in for disability health reform Disability Services Commission Provide updates to staff to gain and maintain support for collaborative work
Disability peak bodies and advocacy groups, disability services organisations Raise awareness of work of the Network through newsletters and website Engage to ensure work of Network addresses needs government departments Engage as required to support work of the Network Academia and research sector Engage, consult and partner with as required to support work of the Network Ministerial Advisory Councils Seek advice to inform the work of the Network Provide updates of progress of work of the Network Ministers, Directors General Health and Disability Services Commission and Commissioner for Mental Health Provide appropriate and timely advice on the work of the Network in regular briefing notes or as requested. Seek approval of activities to be undertaken in the disability health reform. WA Health Governing Councils Provide appropriate and timely advice regarding progress of the work of the Network Engage in work of the Network to ensure buy-in Commonwealth Government Engage and consult as required to support the work of the Network Media Promote positive changes in health service delivery that supports people with disability, their families and carers Members of the general public Raise awareness of disability health issues Advise of work of the Network and outcomes Appendix 7 - Evaluation tools iap2 public participation spectrum INFORM CONSULT INVOLVE COLLABORATE EMPOWER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problems, alternatives and/or solutions. To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decision. To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered. To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution. To place final decision-making in the hands of the public.
PROMISE TO THE PUBLIC We will keep you informed. We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision. We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and issues are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision. We will look to you for direct advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible. We will implement what you decide. EXAMPLE Fact sheets Websites Open houses Public comment Focus groups Surveys Public meetings Workshops Deliberate polling Citizen Advisory committees Participatory decision-making Citizen juries Ballots Delegated decisions Standard 2 of Australian Safety and Quality Standards for Health Care Criteria for Partnering with Consumers’ Standard: Consumer partnership in service planning Governance structures are in place to form partnerships with consumers and/or carers. Consumer partnership in designing care Consumers and/or carers are supported by the health service organisation to actively participate in the improvement of the patient experience and patient health outcomes. Consumer partnership in service measurement and evaluation Consumers and/or carers receive information on the health service organisation’s performance and contribute to the ongoing monitoring, measurement and evaluation of performance for continuous quality improvement. .