A whole-of-government framework for Tasmanians with a disability

Contents

What is the Framework for Action?
Tasmania Together
Working together
Guiding principles
Vision for people with a disability in Tasmania
Who does this framework apply to?
Framework for action
1. Fostering human rights
2. Providing access to high quality services
3. Increasing safeguards and advocacy
4. Working collaboratively
Premier’s Disability Advisory Council
Disability Bureau
Promoting improved agency performance
Review
Disability framework for action at a glance
End notes

What is the Framework for Action?

Along with other Tasmanians, people with disabilities have a right to enjoy a good quality of life and to reach their maximum potential. However, our social, economic, cultural and political environment can make it harder for people with a disability to achieve a way of life that many Tasmanians take for granted.

The Tasmanian Government is committed to a comprehensive social justice approach to disability. It recognises that continuing to support a predominantly medical approach to disability is no longer appropriate and will not help to achieve our vision of a Tasmanian society that highly values, and continually enhances, the full participation of people living with a disability².

People with a disability not only have the right to access specialist services when needed, but also have the right to expect equitable access to mainstream Government programs, services and facilities.

Considering the needs of people with a disability in the design and delivery of all Government policies, programs, services and facilities will promote the full realisation of personal, social and economic opportunities and contribute to making Tasmania a more inclusive place to live.

The Framework for Action builds on work already undertaken to address the rights of people with disabilities and acknowledges the foundations developed by the disability sector over many years, including the outcomes of the 1981 International Year of the Disabled Person and the subsequent human rights legislative frameworks adopted at both state and national levels. It also recognises current international negotiations to develop a convention on the rights of people with disabilities.

The Framework complements action already being taken across Government to achieve a new vision for Tasmania through Tasmania Together and strategies arising from the disability sector reform process.

At the same time it recognises that there is more to be done.

The Disability Framework for Action:

• sets out the Government’s vision for Tasmania as an inclusive and caring community
• applies to all Tasmanian Government agencies
• provides a direction for action by Government
• enables people with disabilities, their families and carers to work in partnership with the Government
• promotes leadership across all State Government agencies to institute a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to policy and planning, service delivery and evaluation.

Tasmania Together

The Framework complements Tasmania Together, the community’s 20-year social, environmental and economic plan, which lays the foundations for a fair and just Tasmania. Tasmania Together incorporates a vision of participation and equal access, not only for people with disabilities, but for all Tasmanians. It is a plan based on shared ideas and aspirations.

Within the vision of Tasmania Together are goals that encourage us to:

• Ensure that all Tasmanians have a reasonable standard of living with regard to food, shelter, transport, justice, education, communication, health and community services (Goal 1)
• Recognise and value the many contributions that volunteers and unpaid workers can – and do – make to their community (Goal 2)
• Improve the health and wellbeing of the Tasmanian community through the delivery of coordinated services (Goal 6)
• Foster an inclusive society that acknowledges and respects our multicultural heritage, values diversity and treats everyone with compassion and respect (Goal 9)
• Provide all Tasmanians with the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their lives (Goal 12)
• Have a system of Government that is open, seeks and listens to people’s views and ideas, and uses them in decision making at all levels (Goal 13)

This Framework is a further step to help Tasmanians achieve these goals.

A five-year review of Tasmania Together began in late 2005. As part of this review, the Government has requested that further consideration be given to strengthening the goals and benchmarks to reflect the specific priorities of people living with a disability.

Working together

The Tasmanian Government recognises that greater progress can be made towards social and economic objectives by working collaboratively with partners. Achieving outcomes through developing shared priorities and approaches is a reflection of our desire to create partnerships at every level.

While the Government plays a key role in achieving the vision of this framework, it ultimately relies on all sectors of the community working together to ensure that the objectives and outcomes are achieved. All sectors have a role to play and will need to work in partnership with each other to address these challenges and build a more inclusive Tasmanian community.

The essence of any partnership is communication and fundamental to the Framework for Action will be new ways of doing business, both across the community and between government agencies.

Guiding principles

The following principles underpin the Framework for Action:

Equity
People with a disability have the same rights as other citizens and equal opportunity to participate in the social, cultural, economic and political life of our community and to access the structures, processes and resources to realise these opportunities.

Inclusiveness
Mainstream programs, services and facilities should be available and accessible to people with disabilities.

Access
Ensure access to specialist services that are appropriate to the needs of individuals.

Autonomy
People with a disability should be free to make or influence the decisions and choices that affect their lives.

Recognising and supporting diversity
The knowledge and life experience of people with a disability, and the contribution they make to society, should be acknowledged and valued, including in Government policy.

Non-discrimination
All people have the right to live their lives free of discrimination.

Prioritising resources
Resources should be targeted to areas in which they can make the greatest difference in the lives of people with a disability. Priority should be given to those in greatest need, particularly those with severe or profound disabilities.

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