Our network of independent advocacy organisations have worked hard to ensure the Disability Royal Commission upholds the rights of people with disability.
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established on 4 April 2019.
For the past four years, people with disability, their families and advocates have told their stories to the Disability Royal Commission.
DANA made over thirty submissions to the DRC, amplifying the voices of disability advocates around Australia.
The DRC final report was delivered on 29 September 2023.
Latest DRC News
DANA and AFDO call for continuity of funding in short Pre-Budget Submission
Rights, Safety, Quality – Voices of Advocacy
Listening to advocates speak and give examples during online discussions and workshops facilitated by DANA in 2020 and 2021 underscored how knowledgeable disability advocates are about the experiences of people with disability interacting with complex and flawed systems of service delivery and reporting and complaints mechanisms. This document collates the de-identified direct quotes of advocates under themes relevant to the expansive topic of “safeguards and quality services”. Its structure is influenced by the phrasing of questions and topics identified in the DRC Issues paper on ‘Safeguards and quality’, published in November 2020. This lengthy document reflects just a fraction of the insights and experiences of advocates and independent advocacy organisations in their work upholding the rights of many individuals with disability around Australia.
Independent disability advocacy – DANA submission to the DRC
The DANA submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (the Royal Commission) about independent disability advocacy is informed by the collective knowledge and experience of member organisations. In addition to exploring the context, key barriers and challenges for the disability advocacy sector, this submission outlines our recommendations to support fulfilling the obligations inherent in the implementation of the purpose and principles of Australia’s Disability Strategy (2021-2031) and National Disability Advocacy Framework (2022-2025) to achieve desired outcomes for people with disability throughout Australia. In particular, the recommendations seek to eliminate their risks of experiencing violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation
What did the DRC investigate?
The Disability Royal Commission was established in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.
The Disability Royal Commission investigated:
- preventing and better protecting people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
- achieving best practice in reporting, investigating and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability
- promoting a more inclusive society that supports people with disability to be independent and live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Our work so far
DANA, and our network of indepedent advocacy organisations, worked tirelessly to elevate the voices and stories of people with disability and their families during the DRC. You can read a summary of our work so far below:
Community engagement
Advocacy, peer support and representative organisations spent many years engaging with their networks to inform, raise awareness and get people with disability involved in the Disability Royal Commission (DRC). This formed a large part of DANA’s submission to the DRC.
Spotlight on Advocacy
The experiences and insights of indepedent advocacy organisations and their workforce were featured prominently throughout the DRC public hearings.
The extensive work of advocacy organisations during this time included: providing individual advocacy support to people with disability during the Disability Royal Commission processes; representing systemic issues through making submissions; and providing information and promoting awareness among community members about contributing their experiences.
Safe to Speak
DANA heard from many advocates around Australia supporting and engaging with people to tell their story that privacy and confidentiality concerns had emerged as a key barrier. After a request from the DRC Chair and much coordinated advocacy and campaigning, the Australian Government fulfilled their commitment to amend the legislation to extend full protections to all forms of submission.
Voices of Advocacy
DANA has worked to amplify the voices of on-the-ground advocates to ensure their insights and expertise informed the work of the DRC.