Review of disability laws that aim to boost inclusion and equality

2023-02-27

An independent review and public consultation on the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) (the Act) was hosted in mid-2022. The review assessed how effectively the current laws empower people with disability to live independent and fulfilling lives.

The Act forms part of South Australia’s legislative scheme designed to promote the interests of people with disability in South Australia and underpins the rights of people with disability as equal citizens in the South Australian community.

Review finds opportunities for enhancement

The review found that the Disability Inclusion Act appears to be working well but would benefit from some amendments to enhance the legislation, the Inclusive SA strategy and Disability Access and Inclusion Plans more broadly.

The Department of Human Services have taken feedback on board and drafted the Disability Inclusion (Review Recommendations) Amendment Bill 2022.

Proposed changes include

1. adding new paragraphs to expressly state that people with disability, regardless of age, have a right to be safe and to feel safe, through the provision of appropriate safeguards, information, services, and support
2. including a definition of ‘barrier’ in the context of access and inclusion for people living with disability
3. clarifying the principles of the Act as they relate to people with significant intellectual disability or high levels of vulnerability due to disability
4. enacting provisions currently appearing in the Regulations as provisions in the Act
5. adjusting reporting requirements and timeframes for Inclusive SA and state authority Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs).

Draft Bill open for feedback

The draft Bill, along with other operational recommendations made in the review report, is now open for feedback with submissions accepted up to 6 April 2023.

This feedback will be considered ahead of the Bill’s introduction into Parliament later in the year and through a formal review of the Inclusive SA state strategy.

For more information, visit the YourSAy website.

Deadline for feedback

6 April 2023