The 2011 report, Disability expectations: Investing in a better life, a stronger Australia made recommendations based on four guiding principles to help shape the way forward under the NDIS.
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1. Fairness
People with a disability have equal rights
While the recognition of equal rights among peoples of all races, colours and creeds is now near universally established, those with a disability still struggle on the margins of recognition.
By being among the first countries to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), Australia has recognised that equal rights extend to people with a disability.
2. Facilitation
Supports are needed to allow people with a disability to exercise their rights.
People with a disability have been denied access, hidden and ignored. They and their families are arguably the most disadvantaged of all Australians across much of our society.
If people with a disability are to exercise their human rights, they need a range of facilitators to help them negotiate this ‘inaccessible’ able-bodied world.
3. Choice
Individuals with a disability should have choice in prescribing their access needs.
A critical component of the NDIS framework is the dismantling of rationed, block-funded Government purchasing of a narrowly defined suite of services.
Individuals with a disability will have the purchasing power to choose what their supports look like.
4. Inclusion
Cultural, systemic and environmental obstacles to access and participation for people with a disability should be removed.
A potential limiting factor for successful change relates to the current obstacles to allowing people with a disability access to mainstream services.
Australian Governments and community need to work together to systematically facilitate access to mainstream services for all people.
