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
Disability advocates call for deeper examination of issues as Disability Royal Commission submissions come to an end
As we approach the end of 2022, the public engagement phase of the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) is drawing to a close, with the final date for all submissions set for 31 December 2022. Significant progress has been made by the DRC in examining violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. However, 8 Disability Representative Organisations including DANA have recently collaborated on a joint submission outlining gaps we perceive in the scope of work undertaken to date and issues that require further examination. It includes suggestions for a deeper look into critical areas.
CALD Communities and the Disability Royal Commission – support services available and helpful resources
NEDA recently held a webinar focused on the issues facing culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and how people can share their story. Useful information and links were circulated to attendees following the webinar, and you can find them shared here, along with some of the other useful DRC resources available in a range of community languages
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. But 2022 is the final year for people to share their stories with the Disability Royal Commission. The final date for submissions is 31 December 2022.
Here are some resources to help you promote awareness of this important deadline.
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.