Ability Options is looking forward to engaging in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with a Disability. We see it as a real and positive opportunity to identify and make the changes needed to ensure that people with a disability are respected for their worth, treated with dignity and respect and can fulfil their potential as equal citizens, safe and free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
We want to contribute to shaping future policy, legislation, administrative and other measures needed to promote the human rights of people with a disability and to change attitudes, behaviour, experiences and outcomes for the better. We will ensure the Royal Commission receives advice and support to make sure that barriers to great services are removed and we identify positive practices and areas we can do better, openly and honestly. To do this it is critical to ensure that work in the disability sector attracts, retains, develops, supports and rewards the best possible workforce to make sure that society values the challenging work and contribution the workforce makes.
We are resourcing and preparing ourselves to contribute positively and to identify issues, incidents, complaints and risks we, like all providers, might face. We have put together a dedicated project team under the newly established Practice and Outcomes division of Ability Options. Michelle Hodge will lead this team with support from Rebecca Collins and Kristen Ryan.
Communication will be shared through our Ability Options website abilityoptions.org.au to keep you informed of our progress.
We encourage and appreciate feedback from our employees and people support to highlight any issues they would like for Ability Options to raise on their behalf or any advice they may have regarding suspected Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability which should form part of our submission to the Royal Commission.
If you need help providing feedback, you can contact our project team directly via email royalcommission@abilityoptions.org.au or this can be done through a number of avenues:
- Complete an independent submission through the Royal commission website
https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/submissions/Pages/default.aspx
We will continue to bring you updates on how things unfold on the Ability Options website abilityoptions.org.au
There’s help if you’re affected by the royal commission:
- National Counselling and Referral Service 1800 421 468 or 02 6146 1468 offers support and help to tell your story
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, call via 133 677
- If you require an interpreter, call 131 450 and ask for connection to the National Counselling and Referral Service line
For more assistance find a disability advocate near you.
