Independent Living in the Community and Self Determination (Articles 19 & 20)
Despite the introduction of legislation to end institutional models of accommodation and disability support, many people with disability continue to rely on institutional warehoused housing and support arrangements due to the lack of a commitment by governments in each jurisdiction to invest in the necessary reforms. Current funding arrangements are significantly underfunded and the administration of funding broken and inefficient and limit or prevent freedom of movement within Australia due to the nature of regional and state based administration arrangements. Access to aids and equipment that promote mobility and independence is also rationed and not offered as an entitlement. On a positive note, Australian governments have endorsed a Productivity Commission (PC) report calling for a massive reform and funding boost to disability support funding in Australia.
Australia must close all institutions, forced co-tenancy arrangements and other congregate care facilities for people with disability that provide housing and support. They must introduce reforms that make disability support and the aids and equipment needed to live independently in the community an entitlement for all eligible persons as well as ensure that disability support funding arrangements maximise personal autonomy and self-determination.
