I am not sure why Australia scored so poorly in the Geneva Convention for disability support but it does make you feel concerned. When I began my appointment on the University of Queensland Disability Sub-Committee as Staff Representative, it surprised me that across the university there seems to be very little or no adequate representation of staff members with a disability. Although this is concerning, I wonder about Australia nation wide. I have observed buildings with poor wheelchair access, and other issues when I have traveled around the country. It makes me think that should I or anyone I know encounter issues with mobility that how accessibility to the community would be possible. Very few buses, trains or other providers of mobility seem to have very little in the way of support. Added to this, amenities and other facilities seem to also be in need of a major upgrade.
I believe Australia has an appalling service for persons with a disability of any kind. Mental illness for instance is seen as a person's own problem. Added to this mobility impairments and the Autism Spectrum are largely brushed aside and I am really concerned as to the treatment of persons with a disability. It seems that either Australian society does not care or simply lack of funding is going into providing support and services for those most in need.
If we are a fair society and have the motto to give everyone a fair go, then we have to start making necessary improvements to match the spoken word. I am just an ordinary citizen but I do consider myself to stand on strong morals and necessary good conduct as I go about my life. Although I may receive criticism for daring to speak up on what I say in my post, I believe governments can do a great deal more. I am tired of the complacency that exists and urgent action is required to prevent a growing problem. We live in a society which dictates that we are all individual but when someone desperately needs help or someone to talk to, then nobody is around. Have you ever wondered why there is so much mental illness around? I get tired of people who say. Where is your evidence? You just have to look around you. Crime is happening almost everywhere and you see elderly people attacked in their homes and not safe, being robbed for a mere $2. It is about time that Australia starts to lift its act and improve on services for persons with a disability. It is about time that infrastructure improves and more importantly the community starts to become more community focused. It took several natural disasters to realise our own vulnerability to the elements around us but it is about time we start caring about those who are most disadvantaged in our communities. Australia you can do better and prime minister Gillard and Australian state premiers start to look seriously at people who really need your help!
I want to see more out of the Australian Productivity Commission into Disability and more importantly. I want to see auditing done regularly to weed out people who fail to deliver in their jobs and exercise complacency. We need caring and supporting people in positions of responsibility and this needs to begin fast. Abuse of persons with a disability of any type in institutions is not tolerated nor is bullying of any kind. Furthermore, a benchmark needs to be set to ensure essential support and services go to people who need them. More accommodation is required conducive to persons with a disability in which ever way it may effect them. Enough is enough! More protection and protective legislation also needs to put an end to disability vilification of any form. Also more support is required within workplaces to protect persons with a disability and safeguard them from dismissal or unfair work practices.
As an adult on the Autism Spectrum. I stand up for adults with Autism and please join me as I make my submission to the Australian Productivity Commission for Disability very shortly in April 2011
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