Supplementary Report — 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022

Achievements to date

The Department of Human Services has lead responsibility for administering the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) (Act). It is a legislative requirement that a review of the operation of the Act is to be undertaken by the fourth anniversary of the Act commencing. Mr Richard Dennis AM PSM undertook this review on behalf of the South Australian Government.

One of the recommendations of the review was for Inclusive SA reporting timeframes to be realigned to calendar years from 1 January 2023. Therefore, this supplementary report is provided to highlight achievements in the six month period from 30 June 2022 to 31 December 2022.

See Me For Me campaign

On 1 July 2022, DHS launched ‘See Me For Me’ – an advertising campaign designed to encourage South Australians to see people with a disability for their whole self rather than just for their disability. For example, seeing someone as a Nickelback fan or a motorsports enthusiast rather than focusing on their disability. The campaign was co-designed with people living with disability and spanned television, radio and social media. See Me For Me has been highly acclaimed, winning several awards. More than 3 in 4 Australians (78 per cent) are unsure how to act towards people with disability (Attitudes Matter 2021 (PDF 10.3 MB)).

Community Attitudes campaign

Under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031, the Community Attitudes TAP aims to improve community attitudes towards people with disability to influence behaviour.

In South Australia, a Community Attitudes post campaign consultation was conducted to gauge the shift in community attitudes towards people with disability. Two focus groups were conducted at the conclusion of the campaign, in which a positive change in understanding what it means to live with a disability was reported by 53.3% of people living without a disability. Following the campaign, a sentiment survey was undertaken in which 51.61% of participants say the campaign made them think differently about what it truly means to live with disability.

Community Visitor Scheme funding

The state government has committed an additional $450,000 per year over four years (total $1.8 million) to expand the state disability Community Visitor Scheme (CVS). An expansion of the CVS will ensure that the service can operate in non-government disability support services, and where necessary, private homes, ensuring a consistent approach to safeguarding for South Australians with disability.

The Department of Human Services is currently working with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to support a coordinated approach and options to deliver on the CVS commitment will be considered over the coming months in consultation with people with disability and their carers.

Outcomes from the Royal Commission into Violence, Neglect and Exploitation of People with disability, and Commonwealth Government views in developing a national CVS will form a significant part of implementing this recommendation.

Local Health Networks video resources

Wellbeing SA has partnered with the Summer Foundation to develop video resources for Local Health Networks (LHNs) about how to support people living with disability to navigate and access the NDIS when they are in hospital. The videos have been shared with stakeholders and will be published for the broader SA LHNs.

Health Pathways online portal

Wellbeing SA is also partnering with SA Health, the Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) and Country SA PHN to implement Health Pathways across South Australia. Health Pathways is an online portal that provides general practitioners and other health professionals easy access to comprehensive, evidence-based assessment, management and referral resources for specific health conditions. This allows GPs and other health professionals to better manage patient care in the community. Wellbeing SA has ensured that information and education that supports people living with disability has been included in Health Pathways.

Kangaroo Island Mobi-Mat for better beach access

Community Living Australia in partnership with the Kangaroo Island Council gained grant funding to purchase and install a Mobi-Mat at the tidal pool. Mobi-Mats provide access to coastline locations and improve beach access for people with disability or mobility challenges. The 10-metre Mobi-Mat was installed at the tidal pool in September 2022.

The Kangaroo Island Mayor said, “This project is an example of Council working toward achieving outcomes of its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan in partnership with industry representatives from the local community. Beach access is something many people take for granted with access limited and sometimes impossible for people who have mobility requirements.”