Disability Sector Calls for Pre-Election Commitments to Improve Disability Emergency and Disaster Support

Thursday 31 March 2022: A coalition of 40 leading disability rights, advocacy and peak body organisations has endorsed a pre-election open letter to politicians across the country demanding a new approach and more resources for improving disaster and emergency responses for people with disability.

In the wake of two years of rolling calamities, the letter outlines a series of key outcomes being sought by the disability sector to develop planning, programs and services that will better prioritise the needs of people with disability during floods, bushfires, cyclones, droughts and pandemics.

Developed by Queenslanders with Disability Network and national peak disability rights and advocacy organisation People With Disability Australia, the open letter is targeting all parties and candidates contesting the upcoming federal election.

The letter calls for no Australian to be left behind during disasters and emergencies, noting that the Disability Royal Commission has stated that that people with disability are at much greater risk of neglect during emergencies, as evidenced by lack of prioritisation and equitable support during a string of recent catastrophes including the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent floods in South East Queensland and Northern NSW.

The letter calls for urgent and immediate action, investment, and commitment to a national approach to improve the safety and wellbeing of Australians with disability before, during and after a disaster or emergency.

This includes the development of a national plan and roadmap to deliver on disability inclusive disaster preparedness, resilience and recovery, as well as investment for multi-sector targeted responses underpinned by collaborative and inclusive research.

Read the PDF version Open Letter here »full letter

Read the word version Open Letter here »full letter

Des Ryan
QDN Chairperson

Paige Armstrong
Chief Executive Officer

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)

Samantha Connor
President

Sebastian Zagarella
Chief Executive Officer

People with Disability Australia   (PWDA)

Signatories to the open letter

Dr Michelle Villeneuve  
Associate Professor, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences,
The University of Sydney

Professor Emerita Gwynnyth Llewellyn 
Co-Director, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health Head, WHO Collaborating Centre for Strengthening Rehabilitation Capacity in Health Systems,
The University of Sydney

Justine O'Neill 
Chief Executive Officer,
Council Intellectual Disability (CID)

Jim Simpson 
Senior Advocate,
Council Intellectual Disability (CID)

Jean Cotchin 
Campaign Manager,
Every Australian Counts

Carolyn Frohmader 
Chief Executive Officer,
Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

Catherine McAlpine 
Chief Executive Officer,
Inclusion Australia

Mary Mallett
Chief Executive Officer,
Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)

Mary Sayers
Chief Executive Officer,
Children and Young People with Disability Australia

Ross Joyce
Chief Executive Officer,
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Damien Griffiths
Chief Executive Officer,
First People Disability Network

Sally Aurisch
Chief Executive Officer,
Blind Citizens Australia

Andrew Fairbairn
President,
Physical Disability Australia

Simon Burchill
Manager,
Physical Disability Australia

Laurie Leigh
Chief Executive Officer,
National Disability Services

Ian Montague
State Manager,
National Disability Services Queensland

Belinda Drews
Chief Executive Officer,
Community Services Industry Alliance

Kirsten Deane
General Manager,
Melbourne Disability Institute, University of Melbourne

Professor Christine Bigby
Director,
Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University
President,
Australasian Society on Intellectual Disability

Professor Julian Trollor
Chair, Intellectual Disability Mental Health Head, Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry Professor, School of Psychiatry,
UNSW Medicine

Professor Elizabeth Kendall
Executive Director, The Hopkins Centre,
Griffith University

Dr Dinesh Palipana
2021 Queensland Australian of the Year and Doctor with a disability

Geoff Rowe
Chief Executive Officer,
Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia

Peter Tully
Engagement and Capacity Building Mentor,
DCA Mentoring Supports

Uncle Willie Prince
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network Queensland

Matilda Alexander
Chief Executive Officer,
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated

Maureen Fordyce
Chief Executive Officer,
Amparo Advocacy

Margaret Rodgers
Chief Executive Officer,
Community Resource Unit

Jodi Wothers
Chief Executive Officer,
Parent to Parent

Robbi Williams
Chief Executive Officer,
JFA Purple Orange

David Craig
Chief Executive Officer,
Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID)

Andrew Vodic
Executive Director,
Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH)

Lou Bannister
Director,
Women with Disability Australian Capital Territory (WWDAACT)

Sue Smith
Chief Executive Officer,
Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)

Jenny Dixon
Manager,
Speakout Advocacy

Kiara Lavin
Members President,
Speakout Advocacy

Colin Sivalingum
Queensland Manager,
Australian Red Cross