State Disability PlanConsultation analysisPrepared for the Department of Communities, Western Australia.

15 March 2019 by Miles Morgan Australia

Our Understanding - Context for the consultationThe Department of Communities sought input from the community, in the form of a survey, to help create the vision of the State Disability Plan for Western Australia.

The WA Government is developing a 10-year State Disability Plan which aims to support and empower people with disability, their families and carers, and those working in the sector.

The object of the survey was to capture people’s hopes and aspirations as well as understand the challenges that people face day-to-day.

Survey respondents were asked for input to build the vision for the State Disability Plan and could provide written answers to survey questions or send in pictures, photos or other media.

The aim is to engage, listen and understand the needs of the community including people with disability, their families and carers as well as those working in the sector.

Importantly it is not just for people with disability but for all Western Australians who want to live in an inclusive community.

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

How the State Disability Plan is being developedDevelopment of the State Disability Plan is being undertaken in 5 key stages:1. Defining a 10-year vision

Broad community consultation across western Australia to establish an aspirational 10-year Vision Statement for the State Disability Plan

2. Exploring our CommunityState-wide engagement to define what values, attitudes and behaviours we would like and expect to see in our community for people with disability.

3. Building a 10-year PlanCommunity consultation to identify priority areas and opportunities for change. These will be the foundation of the 10-year State Disability Plan

4. Creating change in our communityImplementation of a community awareness campaign to increase understanding of disability and to empower community members to be more inclusive

5. Implementation of Plan Development of the first two-year Action Plan that guides delivery of initiatives reflecting the priority areas and opportunities for change within the State Disability Plan

Stage 1 consultation resultsA summary has been prepared to provide a condensed version of the ‘Defining a 10-year vision’ consultation notes.

Survey Questions:1. I feel included when…2. I feel empowered when…3. I feel valued when…4. One word that describes my community now is…5. One word that describes how I’d like my community to look in 10 years is... 6. What is your vision for disability and inclusion in Western Australia?

OverviewWho Participated in the Survey:

A total of 362 survey responses were received online, with 3 hardcopy surveys and 5 emailed responses

The majority of the responses were received from people with disability (92 responses) and family members (also 92 responses)

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

Survey responses were also received from carers, disability service organisations, state government employees, local government employees

74 people identified with more than one category

80 people did not identify with the categories (35 did not provide information)

The survey respondents were: 20% - Person with a disability11% - Carer20% - Family Member17% - Other respondent 15% - State government employee11% - Disability services organisation 6% - Local government employee

Respondent DemographicsSurvey responses were received from across 13 Department of Communities regions from urban, regional, rural and remote areas.

According to the ABS, 92% of Western Australia’s population lives in the South West Land Division, which includes Perth and surrounding cities and rural areas.

Location of respondents by approximate number: South Metro - over 100 people responded North East Metro - over 60 people Area not provided - over 20 people responded Goldfields/Esperance - 20 people responded Kimberley/Pilbara - 15 people responded Great Southern - 10 people responded Out of State - 3 people responded

Age of respondentsWestern Australians of all ages responded to the survey. According to the 2016 Census, the median age of people in Western Australia was 36 years. The likelihood of living with disability increases with age.

Age of Respondents:0-18 years - less than 5 people responded18-24 years - 10 people responded25-34 years - 40 people responded35-44 years - over 70 people responded

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

45-54 years - the highest number of people responded over 10055-64 years - over 8 people respondedOver 65 years - over 35 people respondedPrefer not to say their age - less than 10 people

To the question ‘I feel included when’ top three themes were:1. I feel included when I am accepted and connectedRespondents wanted to be supported, accepted and engaged in their community /workplace so they could grow and thrive. Socialising is important to everyone and removing physical and social barriers is important.

2. I feel included when I have opportunities to participate and succeed. Respondents wanted acknowledgment of personal attributes and the ability to contribute. Have access to leadership roles and be involved in decision making with the ability to influence.

3. I feel included when I am respected and valued I have opportunities to participate and succeed. I am respected and valued. Respondents identified negative attitudes, stigma and a lack of understanding within community and the workplace as well as barriers for people with disability participating in everyday activities.

Demographic AnalysisThere were no major differences by age, respondent type and geographic location in terms of the most common themes identified. There was an overall total of 575 topics from respondents with this question.

To the question ‘I feel empowered when’ top three themes were:1. I feel empowered when I have control and autonomy Respondents expressed a strong desire for control and autonomy to have the liberty to pursue any goal, achieve their full potential and experience all that life has to offer. Respondents identified the importance of tailored, available and affordable services that support, not hinder, their autonomy.

2. I feel empowered when I have opportunities to participate and succeed People with disability are encouraged to exercise their rights, to live, learn, work and play, to feel safe, to belong. Improved opportunities for interaction through both the support of family, friends and the community. Respondents identified accessibility issues as key barriers to social and economic participation.

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

3. I feel empowered when I am listened to and heard

Demographic AnalysisResults did not vary across respondent region or type. However, all age groups identified control and autonomy as one of their two top themes. Younger respondents (under 44 years of age) are more likely to identify opportunities to participate and succeed. Older respondents (over 45 years of age) are more likely to identify being listened to and heard.

45% of respondent’s answers identified multiple themes, with 574 topics coded for this question. There were no significant variances by respondent type or location.

Respondents say, “I am in control of my life, I can choose where I want to live and work, who I spend time with, and I am able to do the things that I want to do, in the places I want to do them”.

To the question ‘I feel valued when’ the top three themes were:1. I am listened to and heardTrusting and open communication helps break down barriers and improve awareness and understanding. People with disability should be included in design, development and delivery services.

2. I am acknowledged and recognisedPeople with disability should be appreciated, recognised and respected for their contributions in community and the workplace. Family members and carers want to be acknowledged for their commitment and care, they want to be recognised as advocates.

3. I am accepted and connectedBeing able to disprove common misconceptions, providing support, sharing experiences and raising awareness on behalf of others was important to respondents in metropolitan regions. As was being employed and productive for people with disability.

Demographic Analysis32% of respondent’s answers identified multiple themes, with 528 topics coded for this question. The main variances were by respondent type and geographic location.

There was an overall total of 528 topics coded for this question.

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

The order of the three top ranked themes varied by age group. The strongest response across all ages as listened to and heard for 45-54-year olds.

The topics listened to and heard and acknowledged and recognised were important themes regardless of participant group.

Being respected and valued was in the top two themes for family members and carers.

Being accepted and connected was in the top two themes for people with disability, carers and other respondents.

In addition, results varied by geographic region. While responses from most regions aligned with the 4 themes identified above, respondents from metro areas also felt empowered when I am making a difference.

To the question ‘One word that describes my community now is’ the top three themes were:1. My community is unsupportive, unaware and disjointed2. My community is isolated, challenging, difficult3. My community is inclusive, accepting, equal

Of concern, two of the top three current state themes are negative, highlighting the importance of a State Disability Plan for Western Australia. Encouragingly, while disability support workers viewed the community as isolated, challenging, problematic 10 responses, they also thought the community was changing and evolving, 10 responses. Results were evenly spread across geographic regions.

There was an overall total of 375 topics coded in total.

One word that describes how I would like my community to look in 10 years is…

1. My community is inclusive, accepting, equal2. My community is friendly, welcoming, mindful3. My community is prosperous, vibrant, flourishing

Respondents overwhelmingly have positive expectations for their community in the future. There was an overall total of 370 topics coded in total.

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

The top ten words used to describe the desired community in 10 years were; inclusive, accepting, safe, welcoming, vibrant, accessible, friendly, connected, better and diverse.

Demographic AnalysisThe theme for all age groups was inclusive, accepting and equal. Those aged 35 years and older were more likely to identify the theme of friendly,

welcoming, mindful (72 responses). Younger participants, under 34 were more likely to identify prosperous, vibrant and

flourishing (15 responses).

The top two themes for all groups were positive: friendly, welcoming, mindful and inclusive, accepting, equal.

All geographic regions identified inclusive, accepting, equal as one of their top two themes. All but three regions identified friendly, welcoming, mindful as one of their top

two themes. The top theme for South East Metro was safe and secure (3 responses).

What is your vision for disability and inclusion in Western Australia? Top themes identified by respondents for this question were:

1. An inclusive society, no need for labels

2. Access barriers are removed

3. Equal opportunities for all

4. Greater autonomy, especially through work

5. Better services and support

Demographic AnalysisThe top two themes for most age groups was opportunities to participate, to succeed, be accepted and connected. The top two themes for most geographic regions was opportunities to participate and succeed, and accepted and included.

All groups highlighted the importance of being accepted and connected Most groups were also looking for opportunities to participate and succeed Family members and carers were most attuned to the importance of having

access to the right supports

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

People with disability also wanted the future to focus on needs and abilities, not limitations and labels

What respondents told us? “That disability is more mainstream and normalised, it is not something hidden or that

people feel "scared" or uncomfortable about” “All people are embraced for who they are” “Less focus on disability, more focus on strengths and uniqueness”

The final word from a respondent…“We don’t need to use the word “disability”, and its not just replaced with “ability” – we are an inclusive society, a diverse community where everyone is valued and encouraged to achieve their personal goals”.

Note:Hard copy survey responses (written and email) were coded into the online survey dataset, unless they were duplicative of an existing response (5) or incomplete (1).

Further informationTo find out more about the State Disability Plan, please visit our website or contact the below.

Web: www.communities.wa.gov.auEmail: StateDisabilityPlan@communities.wa.gov.au

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State Disability Plan consultation report on Defining a Vision

Phone: (08) 61678899

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