Paralympian and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch says a Labor Government will put people with disabilities at the core of its agenda if elected on March 25.
A Labor Government will launch a partnership with Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott and the Get Skilled Access (GSA) initiative to make NSW a leader in disability inclusion and education.
Announcing the $2.4M partnership alongside Alcott and Tesch, Labor leader Chris Minns pledged “world class” opportunities for the 1.3 million people living with a disability across NSW.
“This announcement is an ambitious project in a number of key areas where government policies have failed; employment, education, healthcare and tourism,” Tesch said.
“Working with Dylan Alcott and his truly talented Get Skilled Access team will put people with lived experience as people with disabilities at the forefront of our policy delivery.
“Policy made by people with disabilities for people with disabilities will become a reality.”
Alcott, a Paralympian and co-founder of Get Skilled Access, welcomed the collaboration.
“My purpose is changing perceptions so people with disability, people like me, can get out there and live the lives they deserve to live,” he said.
A spokesperson for Get Skilled Access said the organisation wanted to break down the barriers for people living with disability to live a fulfilled life, whether that be getting an education, working their dream job or going on holidays.
Analysis of research published recently by the Disability Royal Commission suggests that neglect and exploitation of people with a disability has an economic cost in NSW of over $13B annually – $9,600 on average per person with disability.
The comprehensive new partnership announced by Labor and Get Skilled Access would span healthcare, employment, education and tourism to deliver: a more inclusive experience in schools and pathways for people with disability to become teachers and school support staff; a rise in recruitment and retention of people with a disability through NSW Government departments; iclusive healthcare with a new program across 10 hospitals; and a boost to NSW as a tourism destination by enhancing accessibility and disability inclusion.
Get Skilled Access has a proven track record of work with the Federal Government on healthcare and employment programs, and the Queensland Government on education and tourism.
Minns said he wanted NSW to offer world-class opportunities to people with disabilities.
“But we need to do much better to make that a reality,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be partnering with Dylan Alcott and Get Skilled Access on this journey.
“His story is one of resilience and hope, and his advocacy for a more inclusive society is unmatched.
“I’m committed to making life better in NSW for people disability – this is the first step.”
Verified Source: Media release, Feb 27 Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch