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Policy and legislation

Persons with disabilities are entitled to the enjoyment of the full range of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights embodied in international human rights instruments on an equal basis with other persons. (United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights)

 

However, discrimination and practical impediments such as access can  make it difficult for many people with disabilities to enjoy these rights.

More than three million Australians have a disability that restricts core activities such as mobility and self-care, and approximately 10,000 of these have a spinal cord injury. Nearly half a million people in Australia are primary carers to someone with a disability, often a family member. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). Living with spinal cord injury or conditions can have a dramatic effect on a person's participation in and enjoyment of social, economic and cultural life.

All Australian governments have passed legislation to make it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of disability. In addition, many have developed specific policies to ensure that people with a disability have equal capacity to access services and programs as the rest of the community.

The NSW Government is committed to providing services and support to people with a disability, their families and carers, in tandem with proactive support for scientific research that will develop new therapies and treatments for many of the debilitating effects of spinal cord injury and neurological conditions.