A Minns Labor Government will launch a partnership with Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott and the Get Skilled Access (GSA) initiative to make NSW a leader in disability inclusion and education.
 
Announcing the $2.4 million partnership alongside Alcott today, Labor leader Chris Minns will pledge ‘world class’ opportunities for the 1.3 million people living with a disability across NSW.
 
Analysis of research published this week by the Disability Royal Commission suggests that neglect and exploitation of people with a disability has an economic cost in NSW of over $13 billion annually – $9,600 on average per person with disability. The Liberal NSW Government has also failed to meet its own targets for recruiting workers with a disability.
 
The comprehensive new partnership announced by Labor and Get Skilled Access will span healthcare, employment, education and tourism to deliver:

• A more inclusive experience in schools – and pathways for people with disability to become teachers and school support staff.
• Raising recruitment and retention of people with a disability through NSW Government departments.
• Inclusive healthcare – with a new program across 10 hospitals.
• Boosting NSW as a tourism destination by enhancing accessibility and disability inclusion

Get Skilled Access has a proven track record of work with the Federal Government on healthcare and employment programs, and the Queensland Government on education and tourism.

A FRESH START FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION AND EDUCATION

Labor and Get Skilled Access will take a whole-of-government approach to improving disability inclusion and accessibility, designing and delivering programs across:

Education

A Minns Labor Government and GSA will deliver a more inclusive experience in schools for students with disability by boosting education programs to raise awareness and understanding of disability amongst students and provide resources for teaching students with disability.

The $465,000 program will provide improved access to learning and resources for both teachers and students, that can be embedded into existing practices.

On top of this, NSW Labor will explore pathways for people with disability to become teachers and school support staff and review supports for assessments at schools to ensure they are clear and consistent. 

This is a key ask of Cerebral Palsy Active and will be done in consultation with people with a disability to build better pathways from school to work. 

Employment

Under Labor, the NSW Government will become a leader in disability access and inclusion. GSA will work with departments to assess existing recruitment practices and recommend ways to improve. 

The NSW Government has a target of 5.6 per cent of its total workforce identifying as having a disability. Under the Liberals, it hasn’t been higher than 2.5 per cent since 2018. 

Labor is committed to reaching this target by improving the recruitment and retention of people with disability starting with $680,000 for GSA.

Healthcare

A Minns Labor Government and GSA will provide $800,000 for an inclusive healthcare program in 10 hospitals, including at least five regional hospitals.

The program will improve the disability inclusive practices of health professionals and hospital staff through education and training designed and delivered by people with disability.

This builds on GSA’s work already underway in Ryde, Auburn, Bankstown and St George hospitals.

Tourism

Improving the tourism accessibility of New South Wales will not only benefit residents living with disability in New South Wales but will increase its popularity as a tourism destination.

Working with Destination NSW, Labor will fund GSA with $450,000 to enhance the accessibility and disability inclusion knowledge within the tourism sector to make planning a holiday easy and stress free for people with a disability and increase the trade for New South Wales tourism.

Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader:

“I want our state to offer world-class opportunities to people with disabilities. But we need to do much better to make that a reality.

“I’m very proud to be partnering with Dylan Alcott and Get Skilled Access on this journey. His story is one of resilience and hope, and his advocacy for a more inclusive society is unmatched.

“I’m committed to making life better in NSW for people disability – this is the first step.”

Quotes attributable to Kate Washington, NSW Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion:

“A Minns Labor government won’t ignore people with disability.

“People with disability deserve a government that respects their right to live a full and fulfilling life – to have a job, to have fun and to have access to quality healthcare and education.

“Labor will partner with Dylan and people with disability right across NSW, to improve access and inclusion across all areas of their lives.”

Quotes attributable to Dylan Alcott AO, Paralympian and co-founder of Get Skilled Access:

“My purpose is changing perceptions so people with disability, people like me, can get out there and live the lives they deserve to live.”

Quotes attributable to a spokesperson for Get Skilled Access:

“We want to break down the barriers for people living with disability to live a fulfilled life, whether that be getting an education, working their dream job or going on holidays.”

CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
 
KATE WASHINGTON MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION