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ACT Disability Health Strategy

This page has information about the ACT Disability Health Strategy and activities associated with the implementation of the strategy and first action plan.

Disability Health Reference Group

Expression of interest

Applications are now open to become a member of the Disability Health Reference Group (DHRG). People with disability and carers of people with disability who live in the ACT and region can apply.

The DHRG is seeking up to 12 people with disability or carers of people with disability of all genders, age (18+), and type of disability. We strongly encourage people to apply with disability and carers of people with disability who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQ+, or have an intellectual disability.

We are looking for people who are passionate, enthusiastic, and keen to contribute to advising the ACT Government and the healthcare system in the ACT on disability health-related issues. We are looking for people who will work together in the best interests of people with disability in the ACT.

Applications close COB Monday 6 May 2024.

For further information:

ACT Disability Health Strategy

On Thursday 7 December 2023, we launched the ACT Disability Health Strategy 2024–2033 and ACT Disability Health Strategy 2024–2033: First Action Plan 2024-2026.

These plans are also available in Easy English:

Plain language and Auslan versions of these documents will be available soon.

The Disability Health Strategy is a 10-year plan that aims to make sure people with disability have equitable and appropriate access to healthcare in the ACT. The First Action Plan is a three-year plan which sets out actions and activities to meet the goals, principles, and focus areas in the Disability Health Strategy.

We developed the Disability Health Strategy and First Action Plan in collaboration with the Office for Disability and the ACT Disability Health Strategy Steering Committee.

The ACT Disability Health Strategy builds on previous work, including the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) 2019 report Imagining Better – Reflections on access, choice and control in ACT health services for people with disability and the 2022 Women’s Health Matters report “I have to ask to be included…” which documents the views of ACT women with disability about their health and health needs, access to services, supports and information, and barriers to maintaining health.

Additional information

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) delivered the Final Report to the Australian Government on 29 September 2023. The Disability Royal Commission has made 222 recommendations on how to improve laws, policies, structures and practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The NDIS Review: Working together to deliver the NDIS – Independent Review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Final Report was released on 9 December 2023. The review has made 26 recommendations and 139 supporting actions across four focus areas.

Any disability health-related recommendations or policy changes, including the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review, within the 10-year timeline of the Disability Health Strategy will be included in supplementary or future action plans.

Have your say

Go the ACT Disability Health Strategy on YourSay.

Contact details

Disability and Community Policy, ACT Health
Call 02 5124 9355
Email acthdisabilityandcommunity@act.gov.au.

Project phases

The ACT Disability Health Strategy was created through a 3-phase project.

Phase one: scoping study

This phase delivered:

Phase two: drafting the strategy

This phase of the project delivered the final draft ACT Disability Health Strategy and its First Action Plan.

The development of the ACT Disability Health Strategy and its First Action Plan is supported by a significant evidence base, including feedback from the health and wellbeing consultations undertaken by Community Services Directorate for the ACT Disability Strategy, along with national and local legislation, policy, and research.

Development of the ACT Disability Health Strategy and its First Action Plan was guided by the ACT Disability Health Strategy Steering Committee, comprised of:

  • people with disability
  • carers of people with disability
  • service providers
  • advocacy groups
  • ACT Government representatives.

This phase delivered a Listening Report, ACT Disability Health Strategy Roundtable: Listening Report – Phase Two of the ACT Disability Health Strategy Project, including an Easy English version.

Phase three: launch and implementation

This phase of the project will deliver:

Related projects

ACT Disability Strategy

In response to Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031, ACT Community Services Directorate are developing a new 10-year ACT Disability Strategy to create a more welcoming and accessible community and improve the lives of the more than 80,000 Canberrans who identify as people with disability.

Canberra Health Services Disability Access and Inclusion Plan

Canberra Health Services has launched a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-2025 that specifies goals and actions to achieve accessibility for team members, consumers, their families and carers, and stakeholders.

Canberra Health Services aims to be a workplace and health provider that is trusted by the community as valuing people with disability, their family, and their carers.