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AdvoKit – Holiday edition
AdvoKit is here to help people get the advocacy resources they need to support people with disability during the pandemic and beyond. The final AdvoKit Newsletter of 2020 includes lots of info about vaccines and vaccinations and what we know about when and how they will work in Australia, plus more.
#EndSegregation – Over fifty disability rights and advocacy organisations call for an end to segregation
People with disability and our rights and advocacy organisations are fighting to end the segregation of people with disability in Australian education, housing and workplaces.
We urge the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) to recognise that segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination and a breach of our human rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (which Australia has signed).
If you would like to join the growing number of disability advocacy organisations and individuals who have publicly endorsed this paper, visit the DPOA website. You can also show your support for this human rights position by using the hashtag #EndSegregation on social media.
The role of advocacy highlighted in the DRC Interim Report
The Disability Royal Commission Interim Report, released on 30 October 2020, acknowledges and reflects the extremely important role of disability advocates and advocacy organisations in supporting people with disability to heard during the DRC processes. This is also evident in the numerous references to evidence given by advocates at hearings and advocacy organisations’ submissions throughout the lengthy document. “We have heard from many advocacy and representative organisations that increased advocacy is a key measure to address violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and would lead to a more inclusive society. We have also heard that there is a lack of advocacy services, including for First Nations people with disability and people with complex needs, and that existing advocacy services are under-funded.” (page 18)