Celebrating Disability Action Week, Democrat's Disability spokesperson, Senator Andrew Bartlett said that while great inroads have been made in getting people with a disability out into the community there is still great scope for improvement.
"I agree with points raised yesterday by Queensland's Minister for Disabilities, Mr Warren Pitt. We certainly need to give disabled people in the workplace a fair go, actively work to breakdown stereotypes and encourage inclusive communities but these won't happen without adequate government support," Senator Bartlett said.
"Above all else, government needs to take the time to listen to the needs of people with a disability, and the message that I repeatedly get from the community is that the ability or willingness to listen has been sadly lacking.
"I have regularly heard that there are still significant problems between clients and providers of care arrangements, which can ultimately create its own cycle of discrimination against the disabled. Much of this could be avoided with the active promotion of the role of the recently reinstated Disability Discrimination Commissioner.
"A complaint recently made by the new Commissioner is that there is little awareness amongst the disabled of their rights and, therefore, the avenues available to those who have faced discrimination. It is hard to participate fully in society if you are unable to actively assert your rights as a citizen.
"There is also inadequate funding for employment and training support programmes and much more needs to be done to encourage employers to take on staff with a disability.
"In order to get people with a disability participating fully and equally in community life we need positive action by our Governments, both State and Federal, not just empty platitudes and punitive 'incentives'," Senator Bartlett said.
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