National disability strategy - beyond 2020

The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 is about creating a more inclusive society that enables Australians with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.

It is also the main way Australia implements the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia, making sure people with disability can participate in all areas of Australian life.

The Strategy is a shared commitment by all governments to work together to improve the lives of Australians with disability by guiding governments and other organisations to build the wellbeing of people with disability and their carers.

Shaping the next national disability strategy

At the end of 2020 the Strategy will end and governments across Australia are working together to develop a new strategy for beyond 2020.

There has been a lot of change to disability policy and service delivery since the current Strategy started in 2011. A recent independent review has shown that many parts of the current strategy are working well and the Strategy’s overall principles and goals are valuable and important, however the review also showed there are still areas for improvement, particularly on how the strategy is implemented.

We need to make sure a new strategy reflects the changing policy environment and builds on opportunities available today as well as what may emerge over the next decade, this includes considering the findings from the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National Disability Agreement.

During April to June 2019, the Australian community was invited to take part in national consultation to shape the future of disability policy for 2020 and beyond. This consultation was conducted by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) and The Social Deck

In Canberra, information about ways to participate and links to online surveys and factsheets were distributed through the INVOLVED eNews.

A public consultation event was held at the Hellenic Club in Phillip on 10 May 2019, with representatives from the ACT Government Office for Disability and local advocacy, information and peer support organisations in attendance.   

In December 2019, DSS released ‘Right to opportunity: Consultation report to help shape the next national disability strategy’, which will help to inform development of a new strategy. 

The report consolidates feedback from the national public consultations that were held earlier in 2019. During these consultations community members identified issues that are important to people with disability, such as jobs, career opportunities and community accessibility.

 

Self Advocate Judy Huett speaks about the importance of Having a voice 

 

DSS will be engaging again with people with disability and the broader Australian community in early 2020.

Subscribe for updates from DSS to be informed about the next phase of consultations to develop the new strategy. 

  

 

Further information

Engage consultation page