Key Recommendations In the context of the issues highlighted in this Submission, Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and Women with Disabilities Victoria recommend that: Gender is explicitly mentioned as part of the overall framing and conceptualisation of the NDIS. Gender and acknowledgement of the needs of women with disabilities are explicitly mentioned as part of describing how the NDIS will enable the access to, and collaboration with, mainstream services. The NDIS employment strategy reduce disadvantage experienced by women with disabilities in gaining employment and in the workplace. Women with disabilities have the same access to mainstream services and supports as women in general. People with disabilities who have additional ancillary health support needs are subsidised on an ongoing basis. Gender considerations, the specific needs of women with disabilities, is explicitly mentioned as part of describing the NDIS assessment processes and tier 3 responses. Assessors for the NDIS are trained in relation to family and relationship violence when working with and girls. The assessment of family and informal context recognises women’s roles as givers and receivers of informal support. Gender, diversity and the NDIS This submission extends the WWDA material submitted in the first submission to the Productivity Commission titled the Disability Care and Support Scheme’ (WWDA 2010). That ‘Gendering submission outlined the international, national and state-based public policy and legislation which establishes an Australian framework to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women with disabilities; to ensure equality between men and women, and to respect, protect and fulfil human rights of women with disabilities. The development of the NDIS is an opportunity for government to further its commitment to implement Australia’s international human rights obligations to ensure gender equality and counter systemic discrimination against women. This submission will not re-state the argument for gender equality and anti discrimination in relation to women and girls with disabilities. It is assumed that government and the Productivity Commission support these directions and that the final PC report will adequately reflect Australia’s obligations under these conventions. This submission aims to suggest specific and practical ways the final PC report and proposed structure of the NDIS can set a foundation which will minimise gender-based discrimination and promote equal opportunities for women and girls with disabilities. (Relevant references have been included at the end of this submission).
Key Recommendations In the context of the issues highlighted in this Submission, Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and Women with Disabilities Victoria recommend that: Gender is explicitly mentioned as part of the overall framing and conceptualisation of the NDIS. Gender and acknowledgement of the needs of women with disabilities are explicitly mentioned as part of describing how the NDIS will enable the access to, and collaboration with, mainstream services. The NDIS employment strategy reduce disadvantage experienced by women with disabilities in gaining employment and in the workplace. Women with disabilities have the same access to mainstream services and supports as women in general. People with disabilities who have additional ancillary health support needs are subsidised on an ongoing basis. Gender considerations, the specific needs of women with disabilities, is explicitly mentioned as part of describing the NDIS assessment processes and tier 3 responses. Assessors for the NDIS are trained in relation to family and relationship violence when working with and girls. The assessment of family and informal context recognises women’s roles as givers and receivers of informal support. Gender, diversity and the NDIS This submission extends the WWDA material submitted in the first submission to the Productivity Commission titled ‘Gendering the Disability Care and Support Scheme’ (WWDA 2010). That submission outlined the international, national and state-based public policy and legislation which establishes an Australian framework to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women with disabilities; to ensure equality between men and women, and to respect, protect and fulfil human rights of women with disabilities. The development of the NDIS is an opportunity for government to further its commitment to implement Australia’s international human rights obligations to ensure gender equality and counter systemic discrimination against women. This submission will not re-state the argument for gender equality and anti discrimination in relation to women and girls with disabilities. It is assumed that government and the Productivity Commission support these directions and that the final PC report will adequately reflect Australia’s obligations under these conventions. This submission aims to suggest specific and practical ways the final PC report and proposed structure of the NDIS can set a foundation which will minimise gender-based discrimination and promote equal opportunities for women and girls with disabilities. (Relevant references have been included at the end of this submission).
wwda%20wdv%20pc%20response%20final%20draft%20for%20distribution.docx