5 November 2020 - meeting 2 - communique

The second scheduled meeting of the NT Disability advisory Committee (DAC) was held on the 5 November 2020.

The purpose of the meeting was to talk about the development of the NT disability strategy, the Northern Territory plan to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability and the National disability strategy. Members of the DAC were asked to talk about what they would like to see included in the NT disability strategy (the NT strategy) and to provide advice on how the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities should consult with people with disability and other key members of the community to gain their input to the NT strategy. The meeting was the first opportunity for many members to meet the Minister for Disabilities and the Chief Executive of the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (DTFHC) which supports the DAC.

Dan English, NT Manager of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), presented to the DAC. Mr English spoke to members about the following NDIS initiatives:

• Remote Community Connector Program
• Participant’s service charter
• Participant service guarantee, and the
• Participant’s improvement Plan.

Mr English explained to members that the community connectors are employed as trusted members of the community in which they work; and that since the introduction of community connectors their role has broadened from creating awareness of the NDIS and supporting people in community to access the NDIS to helping NDIS participants to use the supports in their plans. Mr English also talked about the positive changes that are being made with the introduction of the participant charter, service guarantee and improvement plan. He noted that the changes were improving the timeliness of services provided to NDIS participants and supporting the NDIS to be transparent, responsive, respectful, empowering and connected.

Ms Andrea Mason OAM, Commissioner for the Disability Royal Commission into Violence Abuse and Neglect (the commission), presented to the committee. The commissioner explained that the terms of reference for the commission specifically asks that attention be paid to the needs and experiences of First Nations People, and noted this is the first time these stories have been told. The commissioner shared some of the key responses the commission has received from First Nations People, particularly in response to the Royal Commission’s First Nations People with Disability discussion paper and provided members with a summary of key findings from the commission’s interim report. The commission noted that the First Nations engagement team, located in Brisbane, are scheduled to come to the NT in the beginning of April 2021. The purpose of the team is to go across Australia and engage with First Nations communities and people with disability to have a say and tell their story.

Northern Territory disability strategy

Members spoke about their vision for the NT strategy, the principles that should guide the NT strategy and priorities that should be considered for inclusion in the NT strategy.

Vision

Members talked about the following ideas that they through were important and should be included in the vision:

• inclusive communities - people with disability are involved, accepted and are a part of their communities
• people with disability have universal access to the built environment, services care and supports, information and communication - members noted that universal access across all these areas should also include universal access for people who live in remote areas
• people with disability have equal opportunities to others
• people with disability have a say on, and knowledge of, those things that affect them
• commitment and accountability (of all stakeholders, including government) to make the NT strategy happen and to make a difference.

Principles

In addition to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability. Members said the following principles should be included in the NT strategy to reflect the NT and our values and out beliefs in what is rights and fair for people with disability:

• cultural rights
• equitable access to services regardless of where you live
• safety
• choice and control
• strength-based and trauma informed
• education and de-stigmatisation
• recognition of the importance of carers and significant others and family inclusion
• all agents work as a team.

Priorities

The following priorities were discussed by members for inclusion in the strategy:

• review and update of the laws that define the rights of people with disability and the obligations of others to ensure these rights
• better access to allied health professionals
• more options for people with disability once they leave school
• access to employment.

Northern Territory disability strategy - consultation

Members provided the following suggestions about the best ways to let people in their community know about the NT disability strategy and to get people’s ideas on what should be included in the strategy:

• using existing community groups, local government councils and schools and their communication channels and tools and existing representative groups
• using key contact points for people with disability and their families, carers and guardians to share information such as general practitioners, clinics and schools
• social media campaigns (in plain English and language) and using visual information (photos and videos)
• use of community radio and TV
• meetings and input sessions targeting stakeholders.

Members noted a number of barriers that can stop people giving their input and solutions to address these.

The Minister for Disabilities thanked members for sharing their idea and their thoughts on the NT disability strategy. The minister noted the important work to be done on the strategy and that the NT Government was grateful to members for their time and contribution. The minister noted that the committee was one of a kind in its representation of people with lived experience of disability.

Ken Davies, Chief Executive of the DTFHC noted that the new agency is well placed to work with the DAC to make sure people with disability are getting the right support and the right services in the NT.

The date for the next meeting of the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee will be provided when it has been confirmed.

Chris Blackham-Davison
Vice Chair, Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee