The lucky country?
Australia's disability experience - 30 November 2011
Quality of life for Australian's with a disability is at a level which is unacceptable, according to a report released by PwC today, Disability expectations - Investing in a better life, a stronger Australia.Currently almost one in two people with a disability in Australia live in or near poverty (45%). Globally, Australia is at the bottom of the heap, it is ranked 27th out of 27 OECD countries, with a relative poverty risk of 2.7. Australia ranks 21st out of 29 OECD countries in the provision of employment opportunities for those with a disability.
John Walsh, Partner at PwC says, "To bring about change, we need more than a funding solution. Change needs to occur at every level of the system - from people with disability and their families to specialist disability support organisations, to mainstream service providers."
Over the last 20 years, Australia has failed to support people to achieve their dreams.
There are four fundamental principles which PwC argue should be the foundation of how we approach disability. These are;
- People with a disability have equal rights,
- Society has a facilitating role to play in assisting people with a disability to exercise these rights,
- People with a disability should have choice in how they access support, and
- We should actively pursue Inclusion through the removal of obstacles to access and employment.
Practically, this means, increased workforce and community participation by people with a disability.
Employment participation could increase by an additional 370,000 people by 2050. Australia can also support an increase in the number of families and carers in the workforce. The numbers could equate to about 80,000 additional carers entering the workforce or an increase in the number of hours worked by 2050.
Mr Walsh says, "Australia needs to look at social and cultural change. For example, discrimination for those with a disability still exists within the work place. Australia needs to develop and implement strong policy, for culture change to filter through society.
The Honourable John Della Bosca, National Campaign Director of the Every Australian Counts campaign for an NDIS said - "The current disability support system is broken and as a result people with a disability and their families are not getting the vital equipment, therapy and support they so desperately need."
"The NDIS will not only transform the way services are funded but also the way they are delivered. But adequate and timely support is not enough on its own. It must be coupled with policy and social change in order to achieve real lasting improvements in the lives of people with a disability and their families."
Mr Walsh suggests that perhaps the financial gains resulting from these proposed reforms could be a driver for change. PwC estimates the NDIS and related system change could lead to an additional $50 billion to GDP in 2050, which equates to a further 1.4% contribution. Further, the Productivity Commission estimates a potential long term gain of $1.5 billion in GDP per annum as a result of increased employment participation by carers.
"Greater workforce participation by people with a disability and their families will help Australia meet the significant productivity challenges it faces in the future." Mr Walsh said.
The benefits of the NDIS will extend far beyond people with a disability and their families to the whole Australian community.
About PwC
PwC provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for our clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.'PwC' refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
