There are a number of initiatives that have been taken by Australian governments to provide disability awareness, training and resources. For example, the Federal Government has provided funding for ‘Ramp Up’, a portal on the ABC website specifically dedicated to disability issues;49 and introduced the ‘Mindframe National Media Strategy’ involving several projects aimed at reducing stigma in the media against people with psychosocial disability.50 In New South Wales, media guidelines assist the industry in how to use appropriate language, avoid common stereotypes as well as report on, communicate with and interview people with disability.51
Australian governments celebrate International Day of People with Disability through organising or sponsoring a variety of activities and events at the national, State and local level.
However, there is no national targeted strategy to raise awareness of people with disability in all their diversity. In particular, there has been a lack of focus on awareness raising in the wider community of the specific cultural understanding, meaning and experience of disability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; and a lack of awareness raising within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the rights and entitlements of people with disability.52
