Disability plan given thumbs up

(Josh Appel via Unsplash)

Elsie Lange

The state government’s new disability plan, which will work with people with disabilities in its development, has been welcomed by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH).

The plan will include a new Disability Inclusion Act, with an exposure draft released later this year to give Victorians a chance to shape reforms, keeping people with disabilities at its centre.

It will also include the establishment of an Australian-first Commissioner for Disability Inclusion which aims to improve practice in the public sector, a Victorian government statement said.

“We applaud the commitment to including people with a disability to be consulted in the development of the plan,” SCCH community connections manager Carly Visscher said.

“Accessibility to transport, employment, housing, support and health services continue to be a challenge especially in regional areas and any work that focuses on improving these is welcomed.“

The government said they would work with and listen to Aboriginal Victorians with disability, with people with disabilities at the heart of building accessibility into “everything the government does”.

Disability, Ageing and Carers MP Anthony Carbines said the government would work so that people with disabilities in the state “can reach their full potential”.

“Victorians with disability continue to face barriers to fully participating in society – these reforms will help make Victoria a more inclusive and accessible place,” he said.