Market Research for the Refresh of the ACT Disability Advisory Council

Disability ACT. Market research for the refresh of the ACT Disability Advisory Council.

Final report. Prepared for: Disability ACT

Issue Date: 17 February 2014

Project number: 001767

www.colmarbrunton.com

2 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Contents

1. Introduction...... 5 1.1. Background...... 5 1.2. Research objectives...... 5 1.3. Methodology in brief...... 6 2. Quantitative findings...... 7 2.1. Participant profile...... 7 2.2. Current awareness and perceptions...... 8 2.3. Suggested improvements and potential reforms...... 11 3. Qualitative findings...... 25 3.1. Awareness of the Disability Advisory Council...... 25 3.2. Ideal scope and role of the DAC...... 25 3.3. DAC relationship with Minister and Government...... 26 3.4. Vision and Mission of the DAC...... 26 3.5. Membership of the Council...... 27 3.6. Ongoing operation of the DAC...... 28 3.7. Need for improved communication from the DAC...... 29 4. Summary and recommendations...... 30 4.1. Membership of the DAC...... 30 4.2. DAC Secretariat & website...... 31 4.3. Develop a manageable work plan...... 31 4.4. Engagement with the Minister and ACT government...... 32 4.5. Improve connection with people with disability, their families, carers and the broader sector...... 32 4.6. Improve communications and dialogue with the sector...... 33 5. Appendix A: Quantitative Questionnaire...... 34 6. Appendix C: Qualitative Discussion Guide...... 38

3 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Index of Tables

Table 1: Six policy areas in terms of improvement or refrom – most important 17

4 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Index of Figures

Figure 1: Participant profile 7

Figure 2: Awareness of the ACT Disability Advisory Council 8

Figure 3: Provision of informed advice on disability issues to the ACT Government 9

Figure 4: Perceived value of the ACT Disability Advisory Council 10

Figure 5: Importance of inclusive and accessible communities 11

Figure 6: Importance of rights, protection, justice and legislation 12

Figure 7: Importance of economic security 13

Figure 8: Importance of personal and community support14

Figure 9: Importance of learning and skills 15

Figure 10: Importance of health and well being 16

Figure 11: Critical issues – most important issue 18

Figure 12: Critical issues – all issues 19

Figure 13: Composition of representatives on the ACT Disability Advisory Council 20

Figure 14: Interest in the work of the ACT Disability Advisory Council 21

Figure 15: Interest in the work of the ACT Disability Advisory Council (continued) 22

Figure 16: Information sources 23

Figure 17: Other suggested improvements 24

5 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 1. Introduction

Colmar Brunton was engaged by Disability ACT to conduct research to inform the review and potential refresh of the ACT Disability Advisory Council. This report presents the findings of this research.

1.1. Background

The ACT is experiencing immense change with the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in July 2014. This is a critical time to raise awareness and consciousness of disability issues and to provide a forum to drive outcomes for people with disability in the Canberra community. Refreshing the Disability Advisory Council creates the opportunity to be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community through the launch and transition phases of the NDIS.

To achieve this, the Council sought to garner the views of the community on the Council’s role and function into the future.

This project comes at a critical point in time for people with disability in the ACT. The role and function of the ACT Government will change with the introduction of the NDIS in the ACT in July 2014. The Territory will continue to be required to meet its obligation to implement the National Disability Strategy and be expected to update the ACT Government’s key policy for implementing the National Disability Strategy, Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014.

The ACT Disability Advisory Council is expected to play a crucial role in the implementation of the National Disability Strategy at the local level. Understanding the needs and expectations of local residents in relation to the role, functions and goals of the ACT Disability Advisory Council will ensure such implementation can occur in an informed manner.

1.2. Research objectives

The purpose of this research is to inform the review and potential refresh of the ACT Disability Advisory Council. Specifically the overall objectives of this research were to:

 engage people with disability and the community through a variety of mechanisms to garner views on the future role and function of the Disability Advisory Council;

 gather input to the Disability Advisory Council’s work to ensure it is representative of the voices of people with disability and is responsive to the needs of the Canberra community; and

6 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report  gather an evidence-base for the future direction of the Disability Advisory Council beyond March 2014.

1.3. Methodology in brief

Based on the aims and objectives of the research, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research was undertaken to engage a robust cross section of ACT community members whose interests are championed by the Disability Advisory Council. Consideration was also given to both the timeframe and available budget for the research, with these both influencing the overall research design.

A short quantitative survey was undertaken with interested parties at two key events, as recommended by the Disability Advisory Council members. Colmar Brunton’s field interviewers attended the I-Day Expo and Market on Saturday, 30 November 2013 at the National Museum of Australia and the Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards on the evening of Wednesday 11 December 2013 at Parliament House. Field interviewers approached attendees at these events and invited them to participate in the research through completion of a paper based questionnaire.

In addition, an online version of the survey was also developed, with interested parties invited to participate in the research. The survey was promoted through Disability ACT’s networks and an advertisement was also placed in the Canberra Times on 3 December 2013 as part of International Day of People with Disability celebrations. Fieldwork for the online survey ran from Tuesday, 3 December to Friday, 20 December 2013.

Completed paper based surveys were collated and a data file was created, which was then merged with response obtained via the online survey for analysis and reporting purposes. In total n=94 surveys were completed. The questionnaire was developed in close consultation with Disability ACT and the members of the Disability Advisory Council. The final quantitative questionnaire can be found at Appendix A.

To complement the quantitative research, an open community consultation event was also conducted. The event was held on Monday, 16 December 2013 and ran for approximately two hours. In total n=7 people participated in this event. A detailed discussion guide for the event was developed in close consultation between Colmar Brunton, Disability ACT and the Disability Advisory Council members. The final discussion guide can be found at Appendix B.

7 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 1. Quantitative findings

1.4. Participant profile

Participants were asked to identify a profile that best described them. Just under one third of participants who completed the survey indicated that they were from a service provider for people with disability (29%). This was followed by participants who identified as a person with disability at 28%, and those who selected caring responsibilities for a person with disability at 19%. These findings suggest the survey attracted a good cross section of people with disability, service providers and carers.

Figure 1: Participant profile

Q1. Which of the following best describes you? Base: All respondents, n=94

8 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 1.5. Current awareness and perceptions

Two-thirds of participants indicated that they had heard of the ACT Disability Advisory Council (66%), while 34% indicated that they had not heard of the ACT Disability Advisory Council.

Figure 2: Awareness of the ACT Disability Advisory Council

Q2. Have you heard of the ACT Disability Advisory Council? Base: All respondents, n=94

9 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Based on their personal experience participants were then asked to rate the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s performance of providing informed advice on disability issues to the ACT Government on a scale of one to five, where 1 was very poor and 5 was very good. One quarter of all respondents (25%) rated the performance of the ACT Disability Advisory Council as very good or good, while 11% rated the performance as poor or very poor. A further 14% rated the performance as neither poor nor good.

Of note, many respondents (49%) were unable to provide a rating and selected the ‘don’t know’ response option, suggesting they had insufficient knowledge of the DAC’s performance to make an informed judgement.

Figure 3: Provision of informed advice on disability issues to the ACT Government

Q3. Based on your personal experience, how would you rate the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s performance of providing informed advice on disability issues to the ACT Government on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very poor and 5 is very good? Base: All respondents, n=94

10 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Participants were then asked how valuable they believe having a Disability Advisory Council is on a scale of one to five, where 1 is of no value and five is extremely valuable. The majority of respondents indicated having a Disability Advisory Council was either very valuable (56%) or valuable (20%), while only 8% indicated that it was not very valuable or of no value at all. Unlike the previous question only 12% of respondents were unable to provide a rating and selected the ‘don’t know’ response option.

This finding suggests that although many stakeholders struggle to assess the DAC’s performance based on their personal experience, the concept of having a DAC is strongly supported.

Figure 4: Perceived value of the ACT Disability Advisory Council

Q4. Based on your personal experience, do you think having a Disability Advisory Council is valuable on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is of no value at all and 5 is extremely valuable? Base: All respondents, n=94

11 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 1.6. Suggested improvements and potential reforms

Participants were asked to rank the order of importance of six policy areas (drawn from the key policy domains identified in the National Disability Strategy) in terms of a need for improvement or reform. The following figures (Figures 5 to 10) show the ranks provided by respondents for each of the six policy areas presented to participants, while Table 1 provides a summary of the importance of the six policy areas based on the proportion of participants who ranked each policy area as their first priority.

Just over one quarter of participants (27%) ranked the policy area of inclusive and accessible communities as the most important policy area in need of reforms or improvements.

Figure 5: Importance of inclusive and accessible communities

Q5. The Disability Advisory Council considers a range of issues facing people with disability and their families. From your perspective, how would you rank the order of importance of the following six policy areas in terms of need for improvement or reform? Inclusive and accessible communities Base: All respondents, n=94

12 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Participants also indicated that the rights, protection, justice and legislation as another policy area in need of improvement and reform, as 22% of participants ranked this first.

Figure 6: Importance of rights, protection, justice and legislation

Q5. The Disability Advisory Council considers a range of issues facing people with disability and their families. From your perspective, how would you rank the order of importance of the following six policy areas in terms of need for improvement or reform? Rights, protection, justice and legislation Base: All respondents, n=94

13 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Participants considered economic security to be of lesser importance, as many ranked this policy area as their third (20%) or fourth (21%) priority.

Figure 7: Importance of economic security

14 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Personal and community support was another policy area which was not considered as important as some of the other six policy areas, with only 11% ranking this area as their first priority. However, a significant proportion did include this policy domain as their second (22%) or third (20%) priority.

Figure 8: Importance of personal and community support

Q5. The Disability Advisory Council considers a range of issues facing people with disability and their families. From your perspective, how would you rank the order of importance of the following six policy areas in terms of need for improvement or reform? Personal and community support. Base: All respondents, n=94

15 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Lower levels of importance were assigned to the policy area of learning and skills as many respondents ranked this policy area as their fifth (26%) or sixth (32%) priority.

Figure 9: Importance of learning and skills

16 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report The policy area of health and wellbeing was also considered by participants to be of higher importance than some of the other policy areas, as many ranked this area as their first (22%) or second (22%) priority.

Figure 10: Importance of health and well being

17 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report The table below provides a summary of the importance of the six policy areas based on the proportion of participants who ranked each policy area as their first priority. The highest proportion of participant’s first ranking was assigned to the policy area of inclusive and accessible communities (27%). This was followed by the policy areas of health and wellbeing (22%) and rights, protection, justice and legislation (22%).

It’s important to note that feedback from our field interviewers – those administering the questionnaire in person – included that most respondents found it difficult to rank the respective importance of these policy domains. While a ranking was necessarily obtained, several noted that advancement across all domains was an important objective for the DAC.

Table 1: Six policy areas in terms of improvement or refrom – most important

Proportion of participants who Policy area ranked each issue as their first priority

Inclusive and accessible communities 27%

Health and well being 22%

Rights, protection, justice and legislation 22%

Economic security 11%

Personal and community support 11%

Learning and skills 6%

18 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Participants were also asked the three most critical issues facing people with disability in the ACT that should be the focus of the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s advice to the ACT Government in a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) environment. The following chart shows the most important issues (the first issue) raised by participants when asked to respond to this question.

The most common critical issue provided by participants was greater clarification and information regarding the pending NDIS introduction in the ACT. This was followed by adequate information about support and assistance available for people with disability their families and carers (16%), employment related support in both securing and sustaining meaningful employment (15%) and ensuring adequate financial support to minimise barriers to participation (15%).

Figure 11: Critical issues – most important issue

Q6. What are the three most critical issues facing people with disability in the ACT that should be the focus of the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s advice to the ACT government in a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) environment? Base: All respondents, n=94

19 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Following on from the previous chart, this chart shows the combined response of all issues (First, second and third) raised by respondents. Overall, the most common issue provided by participants was access to appropriately tailored supports and services given their circumstances (35%). This was then followed by greater information and clarity regarding the NDIS introduction in the ACT (31%), adequate financial support (31%) and ensuring opportunities are maximised for general community participation and access for people with disability (27%).

Figure 12: Critical issues – all issues

20 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Overall, all participants (100%) indicated that the people with disability should be represented on the ACT Disability Advisory Council. Large proportions of participants also indicated the family members of people with disability (97%), advocates (88%), service providers who work with people with disability (88%) and practitioners / researchers in areas relevant to the lives of people with disability (87%) should also be represented.

Common responses provided in the ‘Other (please specify)’ category included education and training providers or institutions and also carers of people with disability.

Figure 13: Composition of representatives on the ACT Disability Advisory Council

Q7. Who do you think should be represented on the Council? Base: All respondents, n=94

21 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report The research revealed that the many participants are interested in learning more about the work of the ACT Disability Advisory Council (see Figures 14 and 15). The key areas that participants are most interested in included:

 ‘Hearing about the outcomes the Council has played a central role in obtaining for people with disability and their families’ (82% very interested or interested);

 'Learning more about the work program of the Council, including areas where efforts are being focussed’ (79% very interested or interested);

 ‘Better understanding how you can raise issues or concerns with the Disability Advisory Council’ ((78% very interested or interested); and

 ‘Understanding the role the Council is playing in ensuring the ACT is pursuing the reforms outlined in the National Disability Strategy’ (76% total interest).

Figure 14: Interest in the work of the ACT Disability Advisory Council

Q8A-G. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is totally uninterested and 5 is very interested, how interested would you be in the following? Base: All respondents, n=94

22 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Participants had somewhat lower levels of interest in ‘Attending community consultation sessions hosted by the ACT Disability Advisory Council’ (54% very interested or interested) and ‘’Accessing the minutes of each Disability Advisory Council meeting (45% very interested or interested).

Figure 15: Interest in the work of the ACT Disability Advisory Council (continued)

Q8A-G. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is totally uninterested and 5 is very interested, how interested would you be in the following? Base: All respondents, n=94

23 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Participants who indicated that they were interested in specific aspects of the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s work, were then asked what would be the best way for them to access information on this. The most common information source provided by participants was email (60%), followed by via the Disability ACT website (47%).

Figure 16: Information sources

Q9. What would be the best way for you to access information on [this issue / those issues]? Base: Respondents who provided ratings of three or above at Q8A-G, n=92

24 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report The final question in the survey asked participants to identify any other suggested improvements or ways in which the ACT government can ensure it is aware of and informed on the key issues and challenges facing people with disability. Encouragingly, just over two-thirds of participants did not offer any other suggested improvements.

Among those participants who did offer other suggested improvements, the most frequently mentioned responses included ‘Establishing a higher profile for the Disability Advisory Council in the community’ (45%) and ‘Better communication (e.g. improved website, more frequent communication, etc.)’ (43%). Other responses frequently mentioned included a ‘Greater opportunity for people to contribute to the Disability Advisory Council / more consultation’ (28%) and ‘Outcomes focussed / need for increased effectiveness of the Disability Advisory Council’ (15%).

Figure 17: Other suggested improvements

Q10. Do you have any final comments on how the Disability Advisory Council can be improved, or more broadly how the ACT government can ensure it is aware of and informed on the key issues and challenges facing those with a disability? Base: Respondents who provided other suggested improvements, n=53

25 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 2. Qualitative findings

Colmar Brunton hosted a Community Conversation event to inform the refresh of the Disability Advisory Council. This event was promoted on Disability ACT’s website, through contacts of current DAC members. A flyer was also disseminated to a number of organisations and individuals operating in the disability and community sector. The event was held on Monday, 16 December 2013 at the meeting rooms of Disability ACT in Belconnen. A total of seven people attended the event, including a mixture of private individuals and those representing the interests of a number of organisations operating in the disability sector.

1.7. Awareness of the Disability Advisory Council

The majority of attendees had very little knowledge of the DAC or its role, and had come to the session to learn more about the Council and its remit. Three attendees were much more familiar with the DAC and its role, and thus tended to offer more input across the session. However, once the current intended role of the DAC was communicated, all participants were able to contribute to the discussion in terms of a focus on how the DAC might deliver greater value into the future.

Some attendees expressed concern that the terms of reference for the DAC were not currently available on the DAC website. This was perceived as potentially limiting the community’s ability to access and understand the remit of the Council.

1.8. Ideal scope and role of the DAC

There was considerable discussion around the perceived role of the DAC. Those not aware of the DAC were asked how they currently advocate to the ACT Government on behalf of the stakeholders they represent. The most common response was via direct correspondence with either the Chief Minister or the Minister for Disability, Children and Young People.

One attendee argued that the terms of reference for the DAC suggested the Council should be taking a much more proactive role in the development of policy positions and raise these with government for consideration. This attendee felt that the DAC needed to take a much stronger advocacy position than it currently does in terms of driving positive reform for people with disability, their families and carers.

Others perceived a less proactive role for the DAC, noting both the resource constraints of the DAC and that the Council is constituted more to review policy positions the ACT Government either currently has or is considering adopting. As such, its key responsibility was viewed as ensuring it has a broad view of the opportunities and challenges facing people with disability Ideally, this ensures all policy proposals are appropriately screened in terms of their intended (and indeed, often unintended) impacts on people with disability, their families and carers. It was acknowledged that the current Council could be better connected to the broader disability sector in terms of being able to readily

26 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report access specialist advice or information, and that this was an aspect of the DAC that warranted improvement moving forward.

1.9. DAC relationship with Minister and Government

Participants suggested that the Council be connected to the Minister responsible for the Disability portfolio. Attendees felt that the Council needed to be aware of the priorities and key agendas items for the Minister for Disability and to ensure that the work of the DAC is relevant and reflective of both national and local policy directions. However, attendees also emphasised that the DAC needed to maintain a degree of independence from the Minister and the ACT Government. It was acknowledged that there was an inherent tension between being connected to the Minister and maintaining independence.

The majority of attendees agreed that having the secretariat function for the Council being performed by Disability ACT could give rise to concerns over the ability of the DAC to provide advice of a critical nature to the Minister as and when required. Overall, the group suggested that the best type of relationship between the DAC and the relevant Minister was a ‘workable’ one, where both parties understood the respective roles of the other and appreciated the context under which the relationship is constituted. All attendees agreed that it is critical the future body be transparent and accountable to ensure the credible and genuine representation of the interests of people with disability. To this end, it was suggested that allowing the DAC a more independent position – funded by and accountable to government, but with administrative support and secretariat functions provided by an external supplier – would likely strengthen the DAC’s position to provide independent advice. Ideally, such advice would occur both within the context of a work plan or framework presented to the DAC by the relevant Minister, as well as on an ad-hoc basis when matters of critical interest emerge.

1.10. Vision and Mission of the DAC

The current Vision Statement and an abridged version of the current Mission Statement from the current DAC Operational Guidelines were presented to attendees for comment and feedback.

The Vision Statement presented was as follows:

“To advise the ACT government, via the Minister of Disability, Children and Young People, factors that impinge on the integration, independence and equity of people with disabilities and their support mechanisms.”

Overall, most felt this was an appropriate vision for the DAC, but there was a desire for more structure in the way the DAC prioritises its work and for this to be more proactively communicated in a transparent manner. In particular, some felt that it was important to have greater transparency in relation to how such advice is considered by the relevant minister (e.g. a desire for advice made to the Minister by the DAC to be publically responded to in a timely manner). One attendee argued that the vision was not strong enough, including a need for the specific inclusion of the terminology “make recommendations” in the Vision statement to ideally add further weight to decisions taken by the DAC. Others noted that the formal adoption of final policy positions was necessarily reflective of a much broader range of inputs than advice from the DAC, and as such the wording of the current vision was broadly appropriate.

27 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report In terms of the Mission Statement, the majority of attendees wanted to access these in full rather than the abridged version presented at the session before being able to make an appropriately informed judgement. However, there was clear feedback from attendees that the operating procedures and work plan of the DAC needed to tightly align with the Mission Statement to ensure the DAC is acting with integrity and in accordance with its reason for existence.

In terms of the work of the DAC going forward, it was noted that the policy and service delivery agenda for the people with disability in the ACT was quite uncertain at present given the impending launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the ACT in July 2014. Until the policy and service delivery landscape was clarified further, attendees felt it was difficult for the DAC to play a meaningful role in pursuing the broader policy areas outlined in the National Disability Strategy. There was an expectation that the NDIS would need to be an important immediate focus for the DAC both in the lead up to and subsequent to its implementation in the ACT.

1.11. Membership of the Council

A number of attendees raised concerns regarding the constitution of the advisory body, including a perceived lack of transparency in the appointment process. Others with less knowledge of the DAC noted that they felt they should know significantly more about the DAC, including how and when they themselves can get involved either as a member or simply through following the agenda and outcomes of the DAC more closely in future.

Participants were asked whether the way in which the DAC is formed needed to be changed or improved. It was broadly agreed that the process for establishing the Council needed to be improved across a number of key dimensions:

 It was suggested that the process for advertising vacancies on the DAC need to be well advertised so people are aware of this opportunity. At a minimum, most expected the ACT government to run ads in the general notices section of the Canberra Times at least 3-4 weeks out from the closing date for applications.

 A number of attendees suggested the selection criteria for members needs to be reviewed. Attendees noted that while it makes sense for members to have a direct link to disability (with themselves or a family member having a disability), the skill set required to meet the terms of reference of the Council should also be given consideration. Once reviewed, these revised criteria should be made available to potential applicants and be used as the primary means through which applications received are assessed.

 A further issue raised in terms of selection criteria is whether people are joining the DAC as individuals (e.g. bringing to bear their own experiences and perspectives as a person with disability) or whether they should speak on behalf of some kind of constituency (e.g. representing a broader view of the people they represent via their position with an advocacy organisation or peak body). With space for only a fixed number of DAC members, the common view was that each potential member should be required to demonstrate their linkage with a broader group as opposed to solely their own individual personal knowledge and experiences.

28 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report  There was a sense that the selection committee for appointments to the DAC needs to be as neutral as possible. One idea could include representatives from each ACT Directorate to play a role, or even for members of DACs from other states and territories to be invited to play a role on a selection panel.

 The attending DAC member noted that loss of corporate memory was an ongoing challenge for the DAC, particularly under current rules that provide for a maximum of two consecutive terms of two years for sitting members. It was suggested that a staggered election cycle – much like that used in the Federal Senate where half the Council is up for election on a rotating basis – would help alleviate some of these challenges and ensure greater continuity of the work program being undertaken by the DAC.

 It was noted that a detailed induction process for new DAC appointees – including ensuring they have a sound understanding of the DAC’s role, remit and terms of reference – was critical to ensure all members were working under a united vision and with common understanding of what is required of them as members.

 Having an agreed work plan, and ensuring that all minutes are aligned with this to ensure people can see what progress is being made against identified work priorities, was seen as a means of ensuring the credibility of the DAC and giving interested stakeholders greater confidence that the Council is delivering value for both people with disability and the broader ACT community.

 The diversity of people with disability – and the wide range of needs and interests – was noted by attendees as presenting a challenge to ensuring all of these needs are considered via a DAC with a limited membership capacity. To this end, a number of attendees suggested it may be worthwhile examining if broader sub-committees could be established to progress work on a theme or issues basis. This was seen as a means of significantly increasing the DAC’s access to more specialist knowledge while still keeping the size of the Council (at a voting level) at a workable level.

1.12. Ongoing operation of the DAC

Having discussed expectations of how the committee should be appropriately formed, discussion turned to how the ongoing operation of the DAC could be improved into the future.

The key issue identified was the need for the DAC to obtain a higher profile across the sector, with increased communication required about its work plan, its activities against the plan and the advice provided to the Minister on policy and related matters.

Given that many attendees had less understanding of the DAC and its work to date, discussion around the work plan of the committee was generally led by the minority of attendees with more knowledge and experience of the DAC. There was a common view that the DAC needed more interaction with the relevant Minister and the broader ACT Government.

29 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Others suggested that the DAC needs to be afforded opportunity to review and advise on policies at a whole of government level, not just in relation to policies or issues solely within the Disability Ministerial portfolio. Some suggested having representation on the Council from each of the respective ACT Directorates would provide a means for the DAC to be informed of the broader ACT Government policy agenda and to ensure any policy or service delivery reform proposals were properly informed by the experiences of people with disability, their families and carers.

1.13. Need for improved communication from the DAC

Among those with greater knowledge of DAC operations, feedback on DAC related communications was generally quite critical. Key concerns included unacceptable delays with the posting of official documents (such as minutes of meetings or reports) and perceived difficulty in terms of accessing key documents (such as the DAC Procedures Manual). These delays and issues – while potentially due to administration issues or limitations – were viewed as significantly eroding the credibility of the DAC.

More broadly, there was a sense among other attendees that their limited awareness of the DAC, its role and achievements to date suggested there was significant scope for communications to be improved into the future. Attendees were all very interested in learning more about the DAC and how its advice to the Minister is positively influencing policy or service delivery matters. Email was identified as the most commonly preferred channel through which attendees would like to receive more regular information and updates on DAC activities (including meeting minutes, newsletters, opportunities to contribute to the DAC, etc.).

It was also noted that communication also needs to be two-way, with ample opportunities for community members and those from peak bodies across the sector to provide input on issues of key concern to the DAC. While it was recognised that the DAC may not be in a position to take these issues forward from a policy or service delivery reform perspective, it was noted that increased connection and dialogue with the broader sector is central to the DAC being able to consider issues under its work plan from an appropriately informed perspective.

30 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 3. Summary and recommendations

As captured in the Vision Statement for the ACT Disability Advisory Council, the council’s role is to advise the ACT Government, via the Minister of Disability, Children and Young People, factors that impinge on the integration, independence and equity of people with disability and their support mechanisms. The findings from this study suggest that while such a vision for the DAC is broadly supported, few are able to judge whether this is currently being delivered.

It is important to note that the concept of a Disability Advisory Council is seen by most as an important avenue through which people with disability, their families and carers, and those delivering services have an active voice in policy formation, review and reform. However, the majority of participants across the study indicated there needs to be significant improvement in the way the DAC operates into the future if the vision is to be genuinely achieved.

Across both the survey and the community consultation session, there were three critical issues identified that need to underpin the refresh DAC. These were:

 Ensuring the DAC is better connected with the disability sector it is appointed to represent;

 Having a body that is connected to both the Minister and the broader ACT government, while still being afforded independence to provide full and frank advice as needed; and

 Significantly improving the profile of the DAC and ongoing communication regarding its role and the outcomes it has contributed to.

Reflecting on the feedback gathered both through the survey and the community consultation session, Colmar Brunton provides the following recommendations for the planned refresh of the DAC.

1.14. Membership of the DAC

 There is a preference for membership to be drawn from those with a direct link to disability (as per the current procedures manual), especially where membership vacancies are capped.

 The opportunity to sit on the DAC needs to be well advertised so as to draw candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds.

 Prospective applicants need to be well informed of the role and responsibility of sitting on the DAC at the point of application, and a clear and unambiguous list of selection criteria

31 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report needs to be developed and applied as the basis for appointment to the DAC.

 An independent selection panel should manage the selection process to ensure the process is open and transparent.

 Continue the current two-year terms for committee members, as well as the cap on two successive terms, but consider staggering the appointment process such that only half of all DAC members are replaced at the end of a specific term to ensure a degree of continuity and momentum for the Council.

 Consider modifying council composition guidelines to include an identified position for a person with an intellectual disability (this was identified as a key gap for the composition of the committee in terms of its ability to draw together members from sufficiently diverse backgrounds).

 Where two candidates may be equally eligible to participate on the committee under currently eligibility terms, it was suggested that preference be afforded to the nominee who represents the interests of a larger group within the disability sector to promote broader and more diverse representation of views.

 Ensure each new member of the DAC be put through a sufficiently detailed induction process to ensure they are fully aware of their role and responsibilities as a member of the DAC.

1.15. DAC Secretariat & website

 Consideration should be given to having secretariat services for the DAC delivered by a professional external third party.

 Consider development of an independent website for the DAC as a step both to support independence and as a basis to raise the profile of the Council in its own right.

1.16. Develop a manageable work plan

 We believe the DAC needs to develop a manageable and achievable work plan to guide its activities. While such a plan needs to be flexible enough to accommodate changing priorities, it also ensures limited resources can be appropriately focussed to achieve outcomes (as opposed to spreading resources so thinly as to only provide limited input

32 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report across a broader range of topics).

 The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme was clearly the most pressing issue identified as the immediate priority for the DAC in the near term. We recommend efforts of the Council in the near term focus on what the NDIS means in terms of actual service delivery for those immediately impacted, including greater clarity around the ‘edges’ of the reform (e.g. who is in and who is out, what services are covered, and how the implementation will be aligned with current supports to ensure the NDIS can play a key role in supporting people with disability to maximise their participation in both their local communities and society more broadly ).

 In terms of shaping the broader content of the work plan, the DAC needs to focus efforts on making the ACT an inclusive society where barriers to participation for people with disability are minimised. There is a strong desire for people to be empowered in terms of knowing the range of financial, social and physical supports available to people with disability their families and carers (across all layers of government) and in choosing the supports or services that best meet their needs.

 In terms of specific policy domains warranting attention, these include employment opportunities (especially fostering sustainable, meaningful employment opportunities), accommodation/housing options (including transitional plans for ageing carers), education pathways (including transition from school to further education or training) and transport challenges.

1.17. Engagement with the Minister and ACT government

 In order to clearly demonstrate engagement with the Minister, we recommend that the Minister (or a nominated representative) regularly attend DAC meetings – if not monthly then on a semi-regular basis.

 Wherever possible, we would encourage a ‘closing of the loop’ on advice provided by the DAC in terms of Ministerial feedback such that the community can have increased confidence that the work of the DAC is having a meaningful impact in terms of policy formation and review.

 Opportunities to expand DAC’s connection with representatives from all Directorates – ideally in a formalised manner – should be actively explored so as to ensure the DAC can appropriately influence policy at a true whole of government level.

33 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 1.18. Improve connection with people with disability, their families, carers and the broader sector

 There is strong interest among stakeholders to better understand the DAC’s role, to learn more about what it is doing to achieve this, and how interested parties can contribute to the Council’s knowledge base so as to ensure its advice to government is fully informed.

 There is an expectation that the DAC needs to offer a range of channels for people to contribute to its work (such as email, mail, face to face forums and events).

 As part of the refresh process, there is an obvious need for the DAC to better map out all potential stakeholders across the disability sector (ranging from people with disability, their families and carers, through to service providers and other interested parties across the ACT), and for them to be invited to join a common database. This database – able to be added to at any time - would then serve as the key resource for communicating with the sector on a more regular basis.

1.19. Improve communications and dialogue with the sector

 There is significant interest in receiving more regular updates regarding the issues the DAC is considering and how it is developing its advice to Government. Once the stakeholder database is developed, we recommend more timely publication of DAC meeting minutes.

 We also recommend the DAC develop a communications strategy designed to lift the profile of the committee across stakeholder groups and increase confidence that the DAC is exercising its duties in a capable and transparent manner.

 Email and paper-based correspondence – including newsletters showcasing DAC activities – are the preferred channels through which stakeholders can increase their knowledge of the DAC and have increased confidence that their views are being appropriately reflected in DAC advice and decision making.

 These channels should be complemented by opportunities for interested parties to attend face to face sessions with DAC members on a semi-regular basis.

34 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report 4. Appendix A: Quantitative Questionnaire

SURVEY INTRODUCTION

The ACT Disability Advisory Council together with Colmar Brunton Research is collecting feedback from the community to find effective ways to hear the voices of people with disability, and their carers and families on issues that are important to them.

The Disability Advisory Council provides strategic advice to the Minister for Disability and the wider ACT Government on issues affecting people with disability in the ACT. The Council is currently undertaking a refresh and is interested in how you think the Council can engage effectively with the community when providing advice to Government on the development of policies and the funding of disability-related projects and services.

Your feedback will help the Council ensure it can provide timely, accurate and relevant advice to government on matters of key importance to people with a disability, and their carers and families.

The survey will take around 5 minutes to complete. The information you provide will be completely confidential. Your input through this survey will be greatly valued.

MAIN BODY OF QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Which of the following best describes you? [READ OUT. IF MORE THAN ONE APPLIES, ASK FOR WHAT RESPONDENT WOULD MOST READILY IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS – SINGL E RESPONSE] I am a person with a disability 1 I have caring responsibilities for a person with a disability 2 I am a family member of a person with a disability 3 I am a service provider for people with a disability 4 I work for a peak body organisation that advocates for people with a disability 5 I am an employer of people with a disability 6 I have people with disability in my social networks 7 I don’t have a direct personal connection to with a disability 8 Other 9 [SPECIFY]______6

2. Have you heard of the ACT Disability Advisory Council? [CIRCLE RESPONSE]

Yes 1

35 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report No 2

READ OUT:

The role of the ACT Disability Advisory Council is to provide informed advice to the ACT Gover nment (through the relevant Minister) to ensure decisions relating to policy and service delivery appropriately take into account the needs and expectations of people with disability, their carers and families.

3. Based on your personal experience, how would you rate the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s performance of providing informed advice on disability issues to the ACT Government on a scal e of 1 to 5, where 1 is very poor and 5 is very good? [CIRCLE RESPONSE]

1 2 3 4 5 Don’t Know Very Poor Neither Good Very poor poor or good good

4. Based on your personal experience, do you think having a Disability Advisory Council is valuabl e on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is of no value at all and 5 is extremely valuable? [CIRCLE RE SPONSE]

1 2 3 4 5 Don’t Know Of no Not Moder Quite Very value very ately valuabl valuabl at all valuabl valuabl e e e e

5. The Disability Advisory Council considers a range of issues facing people with a disability and t heir families. From your perspective, how would you rank the order of importance of the followin g six policy areas in terms of need for improvement or reform? [NUMBER EACH BELOW 1 TH ROUGH SIX, WITH 1 BEING RANKED AS MOST IMPORTANT THROUGH TO 6 BEING LEA ST IMPORTANT]

Rank (1 throug h 6)

A Inclusive and accessible communities

B Rights, protection, justice and legislation

C Economic security

36 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report D Personal and community support

E Learning and skills

F Health and well being

6. What are the three most critical issues facing people with a disability in the ACT that should be t he focus of the ACT Disability Advisory Council’s advice to the ACT government in a National D isability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) environment? [WRITE RESPONSES BELOW]

1.______

2.______

3.______

7. Who do you think should be represented on the Council? [READ OUT – CIRCLE RESPONSE FOR A THROUGH E, NOTE ANY OTHERS SUGGESTED AT F]

Y N D

A People with a disability 1 2 9

B Family members of people with disability 1 2 9

C Community leaders 1 2 9

D Advocates 1 2 9

E Business leaders 1 2 9

F Service providers who work with people with a disability 1 2 9

G Practitioners/ researchers in areas relevant to the lives of 1 2 9 people with disability H Others 9 (SPECIFY)______

8. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is totally uninterested and 5 is very interested, how interested would you be in the following? (READ OUT. RECORD 1-5 RATING FOR A – G BELOW, OR TI CK DON’T KNOW BOX)

R D a

37 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report t i n g

1 - 5

A Attending community consultation sessions hosted by the ACT Disability Advisory Council

B Accessing the minutes of each Disability Advisory Council meeting

C Better understanding how you can raise issues or concerns with the Disability Advisory Council

D Learning more about the work program of the Council, including areas where efforts are being focussed

E Hearing about the outcomes the Council has played a central role in obtaining for people with a disability and their families

F Understanding who sits on the Council, and why they are qualified to be the voice of those with a disability

G Understanding the role the Council is playing in ensuring the ACT is pursuing the reforms outlined in the National Disability Strategy

IF 3 OR ABOVE TO ANY OF 8A TO 8G ABOVE, CONTINUE TO Q9 BELOW. OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q10 BELOW.

9. What would be the best way for you to access information on [THIS ISSUE/THOSE ISSUES]? [DO NOT READ OUT- CIRCLE RESPONSE]

Via Disability ACT website 1 Email 2 Social media channels (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter) 3 Local media coverage 4 Via peak bodies operating in the sector 5

38 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Other 9 (SPECIFY):______Don’t know 9

10. Do you have any final comments on how the Disability Advisory Council can be improved, or mor e broadly how the ACT government can ensure it is aware of and informed on the key issues and challenges facing those with a disability? [CAPTURE RESPONSE NEATLY BELOW]

5. Appendix C: Qualitative Discussion Guide

INTRODUCTION Introduction: name and company. Describe subject: Conversation is about the ACT Disability Advisory Committee, and how it can best meet its vision and mission into the future. Length of session: 90 minutes. Housekeeping: Safety/evacuation procedures, toilets, mobiles off. Confidentiality: Describe confidentiality and recording/observation. Give assurance that recordings will only be used for research purposes by the research organisation and the organisation sponsoring the research only. Combination of answers, opinions only, contribution of everyone. Opportunity for any questions before starting group.

39 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Protocols: One person speaks at a time, will get to you if you have an opinion. Respect diversity of experience and opinion

INTRODUCTION

Today’s session is about how we can improve the operation of the Disability Advisory Council (otherwise referred to as the DAC), whose role it is to advise the ACT government on factors that impinge on the integration, independence and equity of people with disabilities and their support mechanisms.

There are a multitude of issues affecting those with a disability and their families that are important for the DAC to provide advice to the ACT government on. However, our focus for today is on the DAC and its future role.

So – just to make sure we’ve all got a common understanding about the purpose of today’s session - this is not a forum for people to raise concerns or problems in relation to current policy, service delivery approaches. If there is insufficient opportunity for you to do this at present, this may well be one of the key findings of this consultation process (that is, hold more of these style sessions to inform the broader DAC work plan).

The ACT Disability Advisory Council, otherwise known as the DAC, has been in place for a number of years.

DAC vision The vision of the current DAC is “to advise the ACT government, via the Minister of Community Services, factors that impinge on the integration, independence and equity of people with disabilities and their support mechanisms.”

At the broadest level, how well do you think the DAC performs this role? How come? On what basis do you make that judgement?

Is this the right vision for the DAC? Should there be a focus on community engagement? How come?

Are you supportive of the model where an advisory committee of experts provides advice to government on the broader community’s behalf? How come?

40 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report What are alternate ways of ensuring the Minister is aware of critical issues facing people with a disability and their families? Are these better than a DAC? How come?

DAC Mission The mission of the DAC is to:

(1) Advise the ACT government, via the Minister

(2) Work in partnership with the Community Services Directorate (CSD) in developing and implementing projects

(3) Promote the needs of people with disabilities, their families, their carers and service providers across the community

(4) Receive advice from, and providing information to, different communities

(5) Establish links with the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council to ensure coordination of advice to the ACT government

How well do you think the DAC performs against this mission? How come? On what basis do you make that judgement?

Is this the right mission for the DAC? What is missing? What could be removed?

41 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Community & sector engagement I’d like to focus specifically on item 4 of the mission statement for the DAC, which is: Receive advice from, and providing information to, different communities Should the DAC engage directly with people with disability, families and carers? What are some effective ways of doing this?

Accountability to the community In what ways can the DAC be accountable to the community? EG  Annual work plan  Community consultations

 Reports  Discussion papers

 Accessible minutes available on the web  Website

 KPIs  Other?

Membership Who do you think should be represented on the Council?  people with disability?  family members of people with disability?

 carers of people with disability?  services provides who work with people with disability?

 practitioners/ researchers in areas relevant to the lives of people with disability?  all of the above?

 other?

Future focus exercise

To finish the session today, I want your help with imagining the future. Let’s imagine it’s now mid 2014 – the review of the DAC has been completed, changes have been made, and the DAC is now significantly improved in terms of its ability to provide informed advice to

42 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report the ACT government on key issues facing people with a disability and their families.

What has changed to drive this improvement for the DAC?

How are people providing input to the DAC? And how are they receiving information from the DAC?

What difference is this improvement of the DAC having for people with a disability and their families?

WRAP UP Are there any other comments about the DAC and how it could be improved to ensure Government decision making is well informed on matters facing people with a disability, their families and carers?

Well that’s everything. On behalf of Disability ACT and Colmar Brunton thank you for your time and contribution this afternoon.

43 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report Colmar Brunton

PO Box 3133

Manuka ACT 2603

Phone: (02) 6249 8566

ACN NO: 003 748 981

ABN NO: 22 003 748 981

This document takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our Client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third party

44 001767_Disability ACT_DAC Review Final Report