New video celebrates advances in disability rights

To mark International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released a short video capturing the reflections of prominent disability advocates on how far disability rights have come in Australia over the last 10 years and where they hope to be in another 10 years’ time.

This year, IDPwD coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The adoption of the CRPD by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 December, 2006 was a historic milestone in advancing the rights and development of people with disability.

The video features reflections from Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Alastair McEwin, Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, Louis Braille medal winner and NDIA General Manager, Maryanne Diamond, NDIA Chairman, Bruce Bonyhady and former ‎Australian Federation of Disability Organisations CEO and NDIA Branch Manager, Matt Wright.

Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner and disability advocate, Graeme Innes, said, “Disability is more recognised as an issue relevant to the whole community than it was 10 years ago.”

Bruce Bonyhady, NDIA Chairman, shared his reflections on the last ten years, saying, “Ten years ago, people with disability in Australia, really only had access to a broken system. It was underfunded, it was inefficient, and it gave them no choice.

“Over the last ten years we have all done an enormous amount of work on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Governments, people with disability, carers and service providers.” Mr Bonyhady said.

Alastair McEwin, the current Disability Discrimination Commissioner added his hopes for the next ten years, saying “I want to see a world where it is not news if a person with disability is going to university or in to a school, just like anyone else.”

The NDIA is asking the community to join the conversation by sharing their reflections on how far disability rights have come in Australia over the last 10 years and where they hope to be in another 10 years’ time, using the hashtag #10years.

IDPwD is celebrated every year on 3 December.

Visit the NDIS website to find out how people with disability, their families, carers, providers and the community can get NDIS Ready.