The ND Strategy’s first implementation plan, Laying the Groundwork 2011–2014, set the foundation for influencing all areas of policy and service delivery over the ND Strategy’s tenyear life span. The second implementation plan, Driving Action 2015–2018, continues that commitment and identifies four areas of national cooperation: improving employment outcomes improving outcomes for Indigenous persons with disabilities continued implementation of the NDIS, and promoting the intent of the ND Strategy throughout the community. The second implementation plan is supported by an Australian Government action plan, as well as state and territory disability plans and local government plans. The Australian Government has also developed a plan to improve outcomes for Indigenous persons with disabilities to provide better access to culturally responsive support systems. The plan was released in October 2017 and includes up to $3 million in funding over three years for two targeted projects: a trial of allied healthcare in remote schools for Indigenous students with disability, and a research project to examine methods and processes for identifying and assessing disability in Indigenous prisoners and ex-prisoners across Australia. The ND Strategy’s third and final implementation plan, Measuring Progress 2019-2020, is currently being developed. The Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council (DRC) is the key mechanism for coordinating policy and services affecting persons with disabilities, their families and carers, across all areas of the Australian Government and with all state and territory governments. DRC implements a broad range of reforms through the ND Strategy to ensure services and systems are inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities, their families and carers. The ND Strategy’s first high level biennial progress report, released in 2015, details specific implementation achievements and reforms in the design and delivery of mainstream services during the first implementation period. The second progress report is due for release in mid2018. In November 2017, DRC agreed to further activities to reinvigorate the ND Strategy, including resolving issues relating to the interface between the NDIS and other services that assist persons with disabilities. DRC also agreed to commence work on preparing for a new national disability framework for beyond 2020. This will be informed by a review of the ND Strategy in 2018.
an accessible online enrolment form. During an election, information is available in large print, MP3 and Braille. The AEC is continuing to work on improvements to the voting system to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities. In particular, the AEC will implement a of ‘Accessible Voting Centres’ during the pre-poll period at the next federal election. The Centres will feature improved physical accessibility including larger floor space, hearing loops and adjustable lighting. The AEC is also exploring the implementation of an online disability awareness training module to educate election staff. States and territories Many state and territory governments implement similar measures at state and territory elections in Australia, including providing information in accessible formats, ensuring physical accessibility of polling centres and allowing for postal voting and assisted voting in hospitals and at polling places. In addition, some state and territory electoral commissions have introduced electronic voting systems, including internet voting, to provide secret and unassisted voting services for electors with disability. For example, NSW has utilised the iVote system, an electronic assisted voting platform available over the phone or internet that can be used by persons who are blind or have low vision to more easily cast a secret ballot. Statistics and data collection (article 31) Issue 33 The Australian Government systematically collects, reports on and coordinates disability prevalence data in a range of surveys, most disaggregated by various indicators. Survey / Data collected Frequency Information collected Disaggregation Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers years Disability prevalence data, access to services, experiences of discrimination, social participation and health and wellbeing Age, sex and geographic location National Health Survey and General Social Survey Three years Posing question based on the SDAC, so disability can be investigated alongside other socioeconomic factors Age, CALD status, socioeconomic status and remoteness (amongst others)
Personal Safety Survey Four years Asks people aged 18 and over, including those with disabilities, about their experience of various forms of violence since age 15 Gender, age, location, CALD status, education and term disability status Australian Census of Population and Housing Five years People who need assistance with a core activity Age, sex, CALD status and demographic and socio-economic variables National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2018-19 iteration in development The general and long term health of Indigenous persons Age, sex and remoteness National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey Six years Disability measures relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Report on Government Services Annually Provides information on the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of government services in Australia, including disability services Age, sex, geographic location, remoteness, CALD status and Indigenous status Through the National Disability Agreement (NDA), the Commonwealth, state and territory governments fund a range of disability focused research and data projects. Information on the use of NDA services is collected in the Disability Services National Minimum Data Set (DS NMDS). The DS NMDS is an annual, national collection of a standard set of data items on disability support services provided under the NDA. Data is collected from service users by funded agencies and provided to jurisdictions, which in turn provide the data for national collation and