The ACT's newly legislated Disability Advisory Council has held its inaugural meeting, marking a significant step forward in ensuring the voices of people with disability, their families, and carers are central to driving positive change across the Territory.
The Council was established under the Disability Inclusion Act 2024, a landmark piece of legislation introduced in the last term of the Assembly as a private members bill by the now Minister, that set in motion bold actions to tackle ableism and remove barriers that people with disability continue to face in our community.
The Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services, Suzanne Orr said that one of the most significant achievements of the Act is the creation of this Council - a powerful, legislated platform to ensure people with disability are heard and can influence real change in Canberra.
"The Council will play a critical role in implementing the Act. Under the new law, the ACT Government must consult with the Council and other disability sector stakeholders to inform the development of all Disability Inclusion Strategies," Minister Orr said.
"In addition, the Council will take a leadership role in the ACT Disability Strategy Governance Group once it is formed. This group will oversee the implementation and evaluation of the ACT Disability Strategy, guided by a monitoring and evaluation framework currently being co-designed."
Early next year, the Council will contribute to key commitments under the First Action Plan, including:
- Reviewing a draft Accessible Disaster Communications Toolkit
- Advising on work to support Aboriginal and Community-Controlled Organisations to deliver culturally safe disability supports
- Informing the development of the Second Action Plan
A key priority for the Council is to strengthen the ACT Government's broader disability reform agenda. Working alongside the ACT Disability Directed Advocacy Caucus which is an alliance of ACT-based Disabled People's Organisations, and National Disability Services ACT, the peak body for disability service providers, the Council will advise on how people with disability and the sector can directly support and inform the delivery of disability reforms in the Territory.
"Together, we have an opportunity to make a real difference. The ACT Government is committed to ensuring the voices of people with disability remain at the heart of everything we do, and to building a Canberra that is more inclusive and more accessible for all," Minister Orr said.
Quotes attributable to Kelly Brown, Chair at Disability Advisory Council:
"I look forward to working in partnership with the Minister and ACT Government to ensure the perspectives and priorities of people with disability, their families and carers are central to the Territory's disability reform agenda.
"I am confident the Council's firsthand knowledge and experience, grounded in the day-to-day realities of people with disability and strong community connections, will drive positive change and work to deliver a more accessible and inclusive ACT."
