The disability services sector has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades.
Influenced by the civil rights movement of the 1960s and ’70s, the sector evolved to adopt community-based care models in the 1980s and 1990s.
The establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in 2013 furthered this transition.
Throughout this period, responsibility shifted back and forth between the Commonwealth and the states, while society gradually recognised the same human rights for Australians with disabilities as for others.
The introduction of the Disability Services Act (DSA) in 1986 brought with it a wave of excitement and optimism within the disability sector.
For the first time, the focus was on individualised support, community integration, and the rights of people with disabilities.
This shift in approach, which sought to empower Australians with disabilities and enhance their quality of life, was a game-changer.
The sector embraced these changes with enthusiasm, eager to explore the newfound possibilities for fostering a more inclusive society.
Western Australia led the way on a ‘Local Area Coordination’ scheme (an important precursor to the NDIS), which connected individuals into their local communities and supports and which was copied across Australia and the world.
Similarly, in 2013, the launch of the NDIS reinvigorated the disability sector, instilling a sense of hope and endless potential.
The NDIS promised to revolutionise disability services, offering increased choice, control, and tailored support to Australians with disabilities.
The sector was abuzz with anticipation, as stakeholders imagined a future where people with disabilities could access the necessary resources to thrive and participate fully in society.
The introduction of the DSA and the NDIS marked significant milestones in the evolution of disability services.
They showcased a commitment to breaking down barriers and championing the rights and autonomy of Australians with disabilities.
These moments in history served as catalysts for change, inspiring stakeholders to imagine and work towards a world where anything was possible for people with disabilities.
However, tensions persist between the rights-based philosophy underpinning these advancements and the realities of funding and service provision.
While the NDIS has successfully supported thousands of Australians with disabilities, it has also faced criticism about its cost and concerns about its economically viability.
The recent announcement by the Labor government to reduce NDIS spending and potentially save $50 billion over the next decade exemplifies these tensions.
Concerns about NDIS sustainability are valid and must be addressed.
However, in the efforts to cut costs and raise efficiencies, let’s not lose the very gains that have been made over the past 30 years towards ensuring that Australians with disabilities can live with the same rights and autonomy as other citizens.
If there is a limit to our willingness to invest in a truly rights-based disability service model, we must openly discuss more than simply where that limit is.
We must do this rather than have governments and regulators hide behind an inadequately funded rights-based scheme that sets the sector up to fail because it cannot deliver what has been promised with the tools and funding provided.
The transformation of disability services has been remarkable, but we must not lose sight of the challenges that still lie ahead.
As a society, we need to ask ourselves whether we are truly prepared to invest the necessary effort and resources to ensure that Australians with disabilities can live with the same rights and autonomy as other citizens.
This will require open discussions and a willingness to confront the realities of funding, service provision, and the rights of people with disabilities.
By engaging in these conversations and asking ourselves the hard questions, we can continue the progress made in the disability sector and ensure the rights and autonomy of people with disabilities are genuinely realised.
We must not shy away from the challenges that remain but instead face them head on, working together to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
- Amber Crosthwaite is a commercial lawyer specialising in seniors living, aged care and disability
