We know from our 2022 report From Checkbox to Commitment that children and young people with disability want to be viewed as children first. They have similar likes, hopes, wishes and dreams as any other child, and they wanted adults and organisations to respond accordingly.
It is commendable that since this time there has been increasing awareness and some improved responses in relation to children and young people with disability. However, there is still some way to go, and a statewide Plan with sound outcomes and strong data will go a long way to fill any gaps.
The Acting Commissioner commends the inclusion of children as one of the seven priority groups, but questions why there is no overarching vision.
She also commends the introduction of measurable outcomes to improve access, opportunity, support, wellbeing and justice for people living with disability. At the same time, she would highlight caution around data collection in relation to these measures, due to manipulation resulting in data not presenting the reality of their everyday lives.
To ensure we are collecting the data that would make a real difference to peoples’ lives, we should hear from people living with disability first and ask what data and outcomes they would like measured. It is crucial to ask children and young people living with disability about their experiences.