Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, is urging Central Coast residents to make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission before the cut-off date of December 31, as it investigates how better to protect people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation and promote a more inclusive society.
Tesch said that the more submissions made, the better the outcome will be.
“The Royal Commission is absolutely needed to address the systemic and individual levels of abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation that people with disability face,” she said.
“Whether it be in employment, in care, or in education, it is no secret that people with disability face unfair barriers, and I hope that this Commission will go some way in ensuring that people have suitable and effective complaint mechanisms.”
One area of focus for the Commission has been people with disabilities’ experiences with employment, outlining several attitudinal, organisational, structural, physical, and environmental barriers that prevent people with disability gaining work and staying in the workforce.
Reports published by the Commission have also investigated issues surrounding complaint mechanisms from an organisational to a national level.
“We need your voice to be heard to understand what works well and what needs fixing so that how we respond to these widespread issues is adapted and impactful,” Tesch said.
“I have always been and will continue to be passionate about seeing and creating a society where people with disability are no longer left out of the conversation and treated differently by others.
“Making a submission is also very easy with no formal process required – even leaving a voice recorded message or a handwritten note is enough.”
Anyone with a disability, their families, carers, and supporters are invited to make submissions until December 31 by emailing DRCenquiries@royalcommission.gov.au, calling 1800 517 199 or 07 3734 1900 from 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, or mailing to GPO Box 1422, Brisbane Qld, 4001.
Digital submissions can also be made by visiting https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/share-your-story/make-your-submission.
Source: Media release, Nov 11, 2022, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch