Systemic Advocacy
Our campaigns
Campaign: Better Together, Inclusion for All
This campaign aimed to ensure people with disability have access to inclusive education, employment, housing, and community so we can create a more inclusive society.
The Disability Royal Commission heard overwhelming evidence that people with disability in segregated settings are more likely to experience violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
All Commissioners agreed that reforms are required to ensure that no one is forced to participate in settings designed exclusively for people with disability. Importantly, the 6 Commissioners made the key point:
“Education is the starting point for an inclusive society”.
Based on the Commission’s recommendations, we have written a Position Statement on Inclusive Education, endorsed by disability advocacy and representative organisations, proposing that inclusive education can only be achieved through ongoing enhancement of mainstream practices alongside a phased and responsible transition away from segregated approaches. These major reforms need to be implemented with clear timelines, transparency around the process and co-designed with people who have the lived experience of disability.
It’s important to note, these recommendations are backed up by the recent NDIS Review which recommends:
Action 2.5: All Australian governments should take steps to protect the right to inclusive education for children with disability and developmental concerns in early childhood education and care and schools.
We need you to help us encourage the NSW government to adopt and implement these major reforms by sending this email template to your NSW Member of Parliament.
Your voice is important and powerful! By emailing your local MP, we can work together to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all!
Campaign resources
- Position Statement on Inclusive Education
- Based on the Commission’s recommendations, we have written a position statement, endorsed by disability advocacy and representative organisations.
- How to Meet and Lobby your MP guide
- This guide has handy tips to give you the confidence to make sure your message is heard.
- Briefing Booklet
- This booklet contains information about Family Advocacy and on inclusive education for when you meet with your local MP or share our campaign with friends.
Campaign: Same Classroom, Same Opportunity
Securing Better Futures Through an Inclusive Education
Download our ‘How to Meet and Lobby your MP Guide’ This guide will provide you with the necessary steps to make sure your message is heard and to advocate for the support our families and friends deserve.
The guide includes a printable briefing paper about the Same Classroom and Same Opportunity campaign that you can take with you when you meet your MP.
Go to our campaign website where you can:
- Send a letter to your MP
- Sign a petition to go to the NSW Minister and Shadow Minister for Education
- Upload your photo/video to help us create a “We support Inclusive Education” Photo Wall to present to the NSW Education Minister and Shadow Education Minister.
About the Campaign
Family Advocacy’s Same Classroom, Same Opportunity – Securing Better Futures through an Inclusive Education campaign aims to ensure ALL students in NSW, no matter their circumstance, are welcomed and supported in the general classroom of their local school, all day, everyday.
Family Advocacy’s Same Classroom, Same Opportunity – Securing Better Futures through an Inclusive Education campaign aims to ensure ALL students in NSW, no matter their circumstance, are welcomed and supported in the general classroom of their local school, all day, everyday.
The Disability Royal Commission has heard that many children and young people with a disability are being excluded, segregated, unfairly suspended, forced to attend part-time, or subjected to a heightened risk of abuse, neglect and low expectations. Sadly, this sets children and young people with disability up for a life pathway without employment and social isolation from the general community.
Children and young people with disability in NSW deserve better!
We call upon the NSW Government to:
1. Commit to an Inclusive Education Roadmap with a long term vision that will strengthen the system’s capability including supporting teachers so students with disability can access and participate on the same basis as other students. Read more here.
2. Invest in a Work Transition Pilot Project to improve the transition of young people with disability from education to employment.
