/Adjusted%202021%20Originals/DRCS%20Logo%20BrandMark%20Positive%20w%20Square%20BG%20Left%20Aligned%20PNG-min.png?width=95&height=99&name=DRCS%20Logo%20BrandMark%20Positive%20w%20Square%20BG%20Left%20Aligned%20PNG-min.png "DR Care Solutions | Your Care, Your Support, Your Way | Aged Care & Disability Care Consulting Services")
© Danielle Robertson Consulting Pty Ltd t/as DR Care Solutions
Have you noticed more people with disability out and about? I have and it is great to see more Australians fulfil their potential as equal citizens through the supports provided by National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Since the Federal government funded scheme launched in July 2013, around 430,000 Australians have received, and continue to receive support. This is something to celebrate on the International Day of People with Disability, 3 December 2020.
Yet with more than more than 4.4 million Australians living with disability, and of that figure 1.4 million living with profound disability, we need to encourage our fellow Australians to apply for NDIS support and, with that support in place, they can live their life to its true potential.
Bear in mind that we all have a role to play in helping people with disability recreate their true potential. While we have the NDIS and national disability pension, and as governments, from the local level to Federal, strive to remove physical and technological barriers, all Australians need to change mindsets to ensure everyone is treated equally.
It is disturbing that each year the Australian Human Rights Commission receives more complaints about disability discrimination (42%) than about any other form of discrimination.
The research[1] confirms that people who experience disability discrimination are more likely to avoid situations, to have poorer general and mental health, to be unemployed, and to have a lower level of income.
Be mindful that none of us are immune to the experience of living with disability. Because at some point, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics, if we live to our life expectancy, 80 years for males and 85 years for females, we all can all expect to experience some form of disability for, on average, 18 years[1].
So what can we do today to, on the theme of this year's international day, 'build back a better disability-inclusive world?'
Build back a better disability-inclusive world
I recommend the following:
- Ensure you speak respectfully and use inclusive and non-discriminatory language. For guidance, refer to International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD)'s Respectful Communication resource[2].
- Smile, make eye contact and take the opportunity to say "hello". As one of this year's advocates Oliver Mills says, "I want people to see me, talk to me and hear me."[3]
- Share the celebration and shake your bootie to this clip made by the NDIS featuring of ARIA award-winning duo Flight Facilities’ track, Better than Ever. Seriously, it's a must-see![4]
- Participate in an event[5] or watch an inspiring programme from celebration partner, the ABC.[6]
If you or a loved one lives with disability, then take the advice of Oliver Mills and:
"Get a good support team behind you and keep striving for your dreams."[3]
For an explanation on the difference between NDIS support and Aged My Aged Care support, take a look at one of my blog, 'My Aged Care vs NDIS: What's The Difference In The World of Care'.
Please feel free to contact me, Danielle Robertson at DR Care Solutions, for an initial discussion on bringing together that team of supports.
Resources
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare article: People With Disability In Australia
[2] IDPWD's Respectful Communication Resource
[3] Oliver Mills, 2020 IDPWD Day Advocate, Article
[4] NDIS Video: Better Together
[5] IDPWD Events
[6] ABC's IDPWD TV Collection
