Share your stories with the Disability Royal Commission

People with disability, their family, supporters and advocates can share experiences of violence, neglect, abuse or exploitation with the Royal Commission. This helps the DRC learn more about the problem and how to help prevent it in the future. (Find information about making a submission and the supports available below and in more detail on our Disability Royal Commission (DRC) page.)

But 2022 is the final year for people to share their stories with the Disability Royal Commission. The final date for sending written submissions is 31 December 2022.

DANA is counting down on our social media pages to the final deadline for written submissions at midnight 31 December 2022. (However, please note earlier practical deadlines outlined below, and differences in the availability of supports during early and late December.)  

The DRC is encouraging people not to wait until the last minute to make a submission but to get in early to avoid delays or disappointment, advising people to 

• Book a time to make submissions in Auslan to a Royal Commission staff member by 12 December
• Make a submission over the phone by 23 December
• Request assistance to lodge submissions before 23 December
• Send written submissions by 31 December

Your Story Matters

Everyone’s encouraged to get involved in the #YourStoryMatters campaign. All you need to do is record a video of yourself using your phone or write a post with the hashtags #YourStoryMatters #DisabilityRC. The posts can share your own story or views and also encourage young people to share their experiences or their views for a more inclusive society for people with disability.

Young people are being reminded that submissions can be made in writing, song, art and over the phone on 1800 517 199. The Royal Commission has received many creative submissions including a hip-hop video by Inkrewsive which can be shared on social media as an example. You can find the accessible video here.

Royal Commission staff, members of the community and disability advocates are all encouraged to get involved.

For example the folk at DACSSA (in South Australia) put together this nifty little video featuring their staff, that’s been re-shared on the DRC instagram account.

Change starts with your story

Earlier this year the Disability Royal Commission launched a national advertising campaign video. 

Organisations are encouraged to re-share the Change starts with your story video on Facebook and YouTube through social media pages, eNewsletters and embedding on website pages.

There are also other posts and videos on on the DRC Facebook page that you can re-share:

(When sharing click the Facebook icon in the top right hand corner – from there you can share to a profile or page, selecting the tickbox to share the original post)  

Spreading the word on social media

Feel free to customise posts to your organisation’s online audience but here are some example posts: 

• from DANA’s Facebook:

Anyone can make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission and it can be in any way you feel comfortable – over the phone, in writing or as an audio or video recording. They accept submissions in any language and multiple submissions are welcome.

• from DANA’s Twitter (including links to supports):

• for Facebook (including links to supports):

Do you have a story to tell the Disability Royal Commission?

They are accepting submissions up to the end of December 2022. You can get help in telling your story to the Royal Commission from a disability advocacy organisation, Your Story Disability Legal Support, and by calling the National Counselling and Referral Service – Disability at Blue Knot Foundation.

Advocacy: https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-disability-royal-commission-support-services/find-disability-royal-commission-support-services-in-your-area
Legal: https://yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au
Counselling and Referral: https://blueknot.org.au/national-counselling-referral-service-disability/

Department of Social Services funded supports

It is important that we continue to promote the counselling and advocacy supports that are available for people with disability and their families, carers and support workers who are engaging with or impacted by the Disability Royal Commission. There is a communication toolkit, videos and other resources available to help get this message out: 

Find more information on our DRC Resource page.

Your Story Disability Legal Support

Among many other great resources on their website, they’ve this year published a video series: Your story matters, in which Your Story Disability Legal Support staff answer frequently asked questions about the Disability Royal Commission and how to access free support to share your story or someone else’s. They are also holding monthly webinar series on different topics. 

Other resources

As you can find on our DRC Resource page, many organisations have created useful resources, including some great shareable videos to help promote the importance of telling your story. These include: 

Leadership Plus (VIC) –  Telling your story to the Disability Royal Commission – YouTube (3 minutes)

Grampians disAbility Advocacy (VIC) – Thomas “Marksey” Marks – This Is My Story (short trailer and full 17 minute video)

Aged and Disability Advocacy (QLD) – Cody Skinner, Disability Advocate talks about the Disability Royal Commission. – YouTube (90 seconds)

Youth Disability Advocacy Service (VIC) – Sharing Your Story With The Disability Royal Commission – YouTube (3 minutes)

National Ethnic Disability Alliance – Telling Stories – YouTube (90 seconds)

Women With Disabilities Australia – Our Royal Commission videos -YouTube (3-5 minutes) in English, Auslan, Arabic, Assyrian, Burmese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Farsi, Warlpiri, Arrernte and Pitjantjatjarra

First Peoples Disability Network – Disability Royal Commission ‘Respectful Listening’ Animation – YouTube (3 minutes)

Relationships Australia NT – Safe to Share video (4 minutes)