A delegation of people with disability from across Australia has travelled to Geneva, Switzerland this week to report on the rights and outcomes for Australians with a disability to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Australia ratified in 2008.
The Committee is the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the Convention by the States Parties. All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. States must report initially within two years of accepting the Convention and every four years following.
Report to Committee
The full text of the Combined second and third periodic reports submitted by Australia under article 35 of the Convention is available online
Shadow Report
The Civil Society Shadow Report, Disability Rights Now 2019 is available online and discusses concerns relating to the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the upcoming Royal Commission inquiry into Violence, Abuse and Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, as well as the review of the National Disability Strategy.
Delegation
A delegation of seven people with disabilities gave evidence to the UN Committee from the Civil Society Shadow Report, Disability Rights Now 2019.
The delegates are Judy Huett from Speak Out Tasmania, Damian Griffis, CEO of First Peoples Disability Network (FDPN), Noel Muller, Lauren Henley, Sonia Hume, Justin Thomas and Kelly Cox.
Issues raised by the delegation include shortfalls associated with Australia’s legislative and policy framework, forced sterilisation of women and girls with disability, indefinite detainment of people with disability in the criminal justice system and barriers to a fair trial, forced removal of children from parents with disability, institutionalisation, sheltered workshops, as well as barriers to inclusive education and access to services and supports for the 90% of Australians with disability who are not eligible for NDIS funding.
Committee's consideration
The 499th Meeting, 22nd Session Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) consideration of Australia can be streamed online via UN Web TV (see below) with captions and Auslan sign language interpreters. It was webcast live on Thursday 12 September 2019 11 PM to Friday 13 September 2019 2 AM AEST.
Watch Online
Special focus on Indigenous Australians with disability
On Tuesday, Hamish MacDonald from ABC's RN Breakfast spoke to Damian Griffis, Chief Executive of the First Peoples Disability Network. Mr Griffis discussed the urgent need for both disability and Indigenous rights to be addressed in Australian Government policy. You can listen to the interview below:
