Governments & the Disability Sector

I am always pleased when synchronicity steps into my life. Recently there has been some cross-fertilisation between my editing and writing careers.

I have been editing educational policy documents that deal with disability –guidelines for teachers who have students in their class who require certain adjustments to enable them to learn effectively. You can read about these in my book LITTLE PEOPLE BIG LIVES.

In Victoria, Australia, there is legislation that covers this. The Disability Standards for Education clarify the obligations of education and training providers and seek to ensure that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as other students. The Standards were formulated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and came into effect in August 2005.

I am now writing a series of children’s fictions in which a main character lives with a difference or disability. So, editing these documents on the topic has provided me with more information and more understanding of the issues involved. My writing will be better informed and I am glad of that.

I am NOT glad about the retrogressive steps taken by governments in providing support for the disability sector.

When I interviewed Margherita Coppolino for my book LITTLE PEOPLE BIG LIVES she was employed by the Victorian Government to provide advice on policy issues related to disability. When the Liberal Party won government in 2010 they discontinued her services.

Recently, the Commonwealth Government of Australia (with a Liberal Prime Minister) disbanded the position of Disability Discrimination Commissioner. This  post was held for eight years by Commissioner Graeme Innes AM, a man who was born with a vision impairment.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme – introduced by the previous Labor government – is being rolled out and I can only hope that nothing will happen to prevent this continuing as planned.

And the good news about Margherita and Graeme is that they continue to advocate for the disability sector, as consultants. Graeme’s blog Howzat is an excellent read.