New plan to drive great care for people with disability

The RMH's inaugural Disability Action Plan 2019-22 marked a significant step in how the RMH supports people with disability among both our people and our community.

This new plan sets out our path for the next four years to build on efforts to make our organisation a great place to work and a great place to receive care for everyone.

The plan was launched by Chief Executive Prof Shelley Dolan and a special panel including Director of Rehabilitation Prof Fary Khan AM, Quality and Improvement Consultant and peer supporter Gemma Kemsley, consumer representative Bradley O’Brien and the RMH Community Advisory Committee consumer representative Ricki Spencer.

“Our Disability Action Plan has been shaped by the stories and experiences of more than 70 voices from a broad cross-section of our community, in addition to consultations with our passionate staff,” Prof Dolan said.

“It's a promise - a promise to create a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable future for everyone. And more importantly, it reinforces our commitment to eliminating discrimination and enhancing access and inclusion for people with disabilities.”

Around one in six (18 per cent) Australians – or about 4.4 million people – have disability, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Nearly one-third of those with disability – about 1.4 million people – have severe or profound disability. However, many people also live with invisible disability.

The new action plan includes actions across five main priority areas:

• Knowledge, attitudes and practices
• Inclusive employment
• Built environment and physical spaces
• Access to information
• Services and programs

The plan has also been produced in an easy-read format so it is accessible to even more members of our community. You download both versions on our Disability Action Plan page.