Royal Commission
Updates

THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO THE DISABILITY SECTOR

As you’ve probably heard through the media, there is a Royal Commission into the disability sector underway. This is good news. Here we have created some information for you to read so that you have a good understanding of why it’s important to the sector and what it means for Unisson.

Read through detailed information about the Royal Commission into Disability Public Hearings or find more information about the Issues Papers that have been released and their due dates for submissions.

Understand the role and work of the Royal Commission:

• About the Disability Royal Commission
• Public hearings 

The Royal Commission closed submissions to share your story in December 2022.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT

The Disability Royal Commission published an interim report on October 30, 2020. We have summarised some of the key findings below

SUMMARY

The Interim Report says people with disability experience attitudinal, environmental, institutional and communication barriers to achieving inclusion within Australian society.  It shows that a great deal still needs to be done to ensure that the human rights of people with disability are respected and that Australia becomes a truly inclusive society.

The Interim Report is based on information from the hearings relating to education, group homes and healthcare for people with cognitive disability, as well as 1,237 submissions received and several community forums, workshops and private sessions. While the report has identified themes and emerging issues, it does not include any recommendations.

KEY ISSUES

The Royal Commission has heard about a number of key issues including education, homes and living, healthcare, relationships, community participation, economic participation, the NDIS and the justice system. These issues are often connected to the emerging themes that have been identified, suggesting that the violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation experienced by people with disability is not limited to discrete settings or contexts.

EMERGING THEMES

The following themes have emerged as particularly pertinent to the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• Choice and control – people’s ability to make choices can be limited, including where and who they live with, their health care, education, work, and their experiences in the community.
• Attitudes towards disability – there can be negative or harmful attitudes towards people with disability, which can contribute to violence, abuse and neglect.
• Segregation and exclusion – abuse and neglect often occur in segregated settings, such as institutions and other settings that are segregated from the general community (education, employment, group homes, etc).
• Restrictive practices – high use of restrictive practices was reported in a number of settings, including physical and environmental restraints in group homes.
• Access to services and supports – there are a number of barriers that people with disability experience accessing supports and services, including attitudinal, institutional, environmental and communication barriers, as well as a lack of available support in certain areas.
• Advocacy and representation – increased advocacy was reported to be one mechanism to address violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and to make society more inclusive.
• Oversight and complaints – people experience difficulties reporting or complaining about things they are unhappy about. Incidents are often ignored or minimised and people experience retribution for making complaints. Complaints systems are not always accessible, and reporting and investigating are not independent and often re-traumatise the victim.
• Funding – access to supports and services can be limited by funding; there can be conflicts of interest and poorer outcomes for people depending on their funding.

NEXT STEPS

The Royal Commission is continuing to explore all of these issues, with a focus on engaging with marginalised groups, including First Nations people; people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds; and people who live in remote and rural areas.

The Royal Commission is also continuing to release a variety of Issues Papers for people to make submissions and has released a schedule of hearings for 2022. To find out more, visit the Commission's website https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO UNISSON?

A Royal Commission shines a light on a sector and specifically the policies, processes, and practices of organisations within the sector.

The core purpose of this enquiry is to ensure people with disability are not subjected to violence, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We support this enquiry wholeheartedly, knowing that it will bring about positive changes for people with disability in our country.

Unisson wholeheartedly supports the Royal Commission and continues to take a proactive approach to ensure we are a leader in delivering safe and inclusive supports and positive change for people with disability.

We will continue to update this page regularly with information from the Royal Commission. You can also sign up to the Royal Commission's Media Mailing List to receive direct updates.

We will be sending regular updates to our clients and their families. To ensure you are signed up to our newsletter please Subscribe to The Pulse.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact our CEO, David Kneeshaw, directly by completing the below form.