International Policy On Disability

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

AUSTRALIA

THE POLICY INSTALLATION OF DISABILITY SERVICES BASED ON RIGHTS AND OUTCOMES THE ENTACTMENT OF ANTI DISCRIMINATION LAWS. THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE AND INCREASE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY. THE POLICY INCLUDES:

COMMUNITY ACCESS

SUPPORT TO STAY IN COMMUNITIES

ASSIST PEOPLE TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE

SUPPORT FAMILIES AND CARERS IN CARING ROLES

EXPLANATION

THE POLICY WAS SET TO IMPROVE LIFE OF DISABLED AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE AND TO CATERTO THOSE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, THEIR FAMILY AND RELATIVES. THE VISION IS TO IMPROVE AND UPGRADE MORE ON THE EDUCATION SECTOR FOR THE DISABLED SO THAT THEY CAN BE EMPLOYED AND EARN INCOME FOR THEMSELVES AS WELL AS HELPING THE DISABLED PEOPLE TO ENJOY BOTH THEIR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFESTYLES. THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE SAME TIME HELP THEIR FAMILIES IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED’S FAMILY.

FIJI

THE POLICY STATES FOR AN OBSTCLE FREE, RIGHT FOUNDED COMMUNITY IN WHICH HUMANOID PREVILEGES AND CIVILIAN CONTRIBUTION, ABILITIES AND MULTIPLICITY OF ALL INDIVIUALS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED, INDUSTRALISED AND TREASURED, THE POLICY FOR DISABILITY INCLUDES:

RIGHT TO RELISH LIFE AND BE APPRECIATED ALWAYS

PERMITTED TO FULLY ADMITTANCE TO HEALTH, SCHOLASTIC, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND ANY OTHER AMENTIES AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL COMMUNITY

ALLOWED TO LIVE AND BE PART OF THE SOCIETY

FULLY PARTAKE IN THE SOCIETY THEY LIVE IN

RE-DESIGN BUILDING STRUCTURES WITHIN REVISED BUILDING CODES TO PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO WHEELCHAIRS

EXPLANATION

FIJI ADVOCATES FOR AND EMPOWERS DISABLED PEOPLE BY RECOGNISING THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS AND A BARRIER FREE AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY FOR ALL DISABLED PEOPLE. THE OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOCUSES MORE ON CONFIRMING THE PARTICIPATION OF INDIVIUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT ALL STAGES OF THE ADMINISTRATION, FERVENTING THEIR CONCERNS AND UNINTERRUPTEDLY SUPPORT THAT DISABLED PEOPLE ARE TREASURES OF THE COMMUNITY.

NEW ZEALAND

THE NEW ZEALAND DISABILITY STRATEGY FOCUSES ON THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED PEOPLE INCLUDING THEIR FULL RIGHTS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITIES. IT ALSO FOCUSES ON REFINING DISABILITY SUPPORT FACILITIES SO THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS, HAVE QUALITY EDUCATION AND PAID EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. IN NEW ZEALAND, WE HAVE LEGISLATION SUCH AS THE BILL OF RIGHTS ACT, THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT AND THE PRIVACY ACT TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED PEOPLE BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY SUCH AS DISCRIMINATION, ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION.

EXPLANATION

THE NEW ZEALAND DISABILITY STRATEGY WORKS WITH THE DISABLED PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN ENJOY AND LIVE THEIR LIFE TO THE FULLEST AS ANY OTHER NORMAL PERSON. THE VISION OF THE STRATEGY IS TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORT AGENCIES SO THAT THE SOCIETY RECOGNISES THAT THE DISABLED PEOPLE ARE ALSO A PART OF THE SOCIETY. THEREFORE THE COMMUNITY PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT THE DISABLED PEOPLE GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY, PREVENTING INSTITUTIONALISM.

SIMILARITIES

ALL THE COUNTRIES (FIJI, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND) RECOGNISE AND HAVE POLICIES THAT DISABLED PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS AS OTHER NORMAL PEOPLE. THEY ALL CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND REMOVE BARRIERS SUCH AS NEGLEGENCE AND DISCRIMINATION SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME A PART OF OUR SOCIETY. ALL THE COUNTRIES HAVE ACCESS TO DISABLED SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS DISABLED VEHICLES AND DISABLED PARKING FOR THE DISABLED PEOPLE.

DIFFERENCES

IN FIJI, THE DISABLED PEOPLE ARE LOOKED AFTER BY THE FAMILIES, WHEREAS IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA THEY ARE LOOKED AFTER IN REST HOMES OR RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES. THE DISABLED PEOPLE IN FIJI ARE NOT GIVEN ANY SOURCE OF ALLOWANCE OR INCOME BUT THE NEEDS ARE MET BY THE FAMILY MEMBERS WHEREAS IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA THEY GET ALLOWANCES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE CARDS SO THAT THEY CAN GET CONCESSIONS.

POLICIES ON AGING

FIJI

THE FIJI NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND PROVIDES PENSION TO THE OLD PEOPLE AFTER THEIR RETIREMENT. THE RETIREMENT AGE IN FIJI IS 55 YEARS. THE POLICY FOCUSES ON IMPROVING THE LIVING CONDITIONS, HEALTTH, WELFARE, AND GENERAL QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER PEOPLE IN FIJI BOTH NOW AND IN FUTURE. THE POLICY ALSO FOCUSES ON CARING AND PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE INCORPORATED INTO ALL MAJOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIO-

ECONOMIC SECTORS. IT ALSO RECOGNISES THE RIGHTS AND VALUES OF OLDER WOMEN WHO ARE NEGLECTED IN THEIR SOCIETIES AND EMPOWER THEM ESPECIALLY THE WIDOWS TO KNOW THEIR RIGHTS.

EXPLANATION

THE POLICY FOCUSES ON AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY THAT IN STILLS DIGNITY, RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS AND MEETS BASIC NEEDS THROUGH EMPOWERMENT OF OLDER PERSONS. THE POLICY WILL SERVE AS A PLATFORM TO DEVISE APPROPRIATE STRATEGIES AND MECHANISMS TO CREATE SAFETY NETS FOR BOTH THE SENIOR CITIZENS AND SOCIETY TO ADDRESS THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN AGING POPULATION ACHIEVING AN AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF FOR EXAMPLE 75 YEARS, PROVIDES THE COUNTRY WITH A FIRST EVER OPPORTUNITY OF THREE GENERATIONS SPANNING A FULL LIFE CYCLE, THUS ALLOWING EACH FIJIAN TO LIVE TOGETHER AND OVERLAP WITH PREVIOUS AND NEXT GENERATIONS.

NEW ZEALAND

THE VISION IS TO ACHIEVE THE VISION OF A SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE CAN AGE POSITIVELY BY DIRECTING THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TOWARDS ACHIEVING IDENTIFIED POSITIVE AGEING GOALS. THE NEW ZEALAND POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING AND UNDRESTANDING POLICY WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE. THE AIM OF THE POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY IS TO IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE WAY THEY PREFER. A REVIEW OF EXISTING POLICIES AND SERVICES HAS BEEN UNDER TAKEN TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH THE POSITIVE AGEING PRINCIPLES. IN ADDITION, EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION HAS IDENTIFIED PRIORITY AREAS FOR ACTION, LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GOVERNMENT ACTION PLAN FOR POSITIVE AGEING IN NEW ZEALAND.

EXPLANATION

THE NEW ZEALAND POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY PROVIDES THE ABILITY OF DEVELOPING AND UNDERSTANDING OLDER PEOPLE. THE STRATEGY HAS 10 GOALS THAT IS USED BY THE LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN ACTION PLANS TO IMPROVE THE WELL BEING OF OLDER PEOPLE ARE:

INCOME

SECURE AND ADEQUATE INCOME FOR OLDER PEOPLE

HEALTH

EQUITABLE, TIMELY, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

HOUSING

AFFORABLE AND APPROPRIATE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

TRANSPORT

AFFORABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT OPTIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

AEING IN THE COMMUNITY

OLDER PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND SECURE AND CAN AGE IN THE COMMUNITY

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

A RANGE OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES ALLOWS CHOICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

RURAL SERVICES

OLDER PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE NOT DISADVANTAGED WHEN ACCESSING SERVICES

POSITIVE ATTITUDES

PEOPLE OF ALL AGES HAVE POSITIVE ATTITUDES TO AGEING AND OLDER PEOPLE

EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

ELIMINATION OF AGEISM AND THE PROMOTION OF FLEXIBLE WORK OPTIONS

OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER PERSONAL GROWTH AND PARTICIPATION

INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

AUSTRALIA

THE AGEING POLICY IN AUSTRALIA ACKNOWLEDGES DIVERSITY AMONG THE OLDER POPULATION RECOGNISING AND SUPPORTING THEM THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COUNTRY. THE MATURE MEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN EMPLOYED TILL PROVED THAT THEY ARE MEDICALLY UNFIT TO WORK OR WISH TO RETIRE. THELONG TERM STRATEGIES ADDRESSES ISSUES RELATING TO POPULATION AGEING TO BE VIEWED AND DEVELOPED IN THE BROADER CONTEXT, AND WILL REQUIRE ON-GOING COLLABRATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, THEIR AGENCIES AS WELL AS A PROCESS OF ON-GOING COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY.

EXPLANATION

THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT CONSIDER PROVIDING PROGRAMMES TO THE ELDERLY CITIZENS, ITS COMMON INTEREST.IT TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THAT AGEING AFFECTS THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STATUS OF THE COUNTRY THEREFORE THE GOVRENMENT NEEDS TO REVIEW THE CONTEXT REGARDING THE POLICY FOR THE OLDRELY, CONSTANTLY.

SIMILARITIES

ALL THE THREE COUNTRIES GIVE PENSION TO THE OLD PEOPLE WHEN THEY RETIRE. THEY ALSO ENCOURAGE OLD PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ARE HIGHLY TREASURED.

DIFFERENCES

IN NEW ZEALANDAND AUSTRALIA, THE OLD PEOPLE STAY IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND ARE CARED FOR BY THE CAREGIVERS WHEREAS ABOUT 90% OF THE OLD PEOPLE IN FIJI STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND ARE CARED FOR BY THEM.

4.2 INTERNATIONAL SERVICE DELIEVERY POLICIES ON DISABILITY

FIJI

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH POLICIES STATE THAT EVERY DISABLED PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW AND THEREFORE MUST NOT BE UNFAIRLY DISCRIMINATED BY COLOUR, RACE, GENDER, ECONOMIC STATUS OR LANGUAGE. THE FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ACT MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO DISCRIMINATE BASED ON DISABILITY IN AREARS INCLUDING EMPLOYEMENT, EDUCATION, HOUSING, PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION, ACCESS TO PUBLIC PLACES, AND APPROVAL FOR LICENSES OR TRADE, AMONG OTHERS. THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION FOCUSES ON IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE CO-ORDINATION OF CARE AND REHABILITATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IMPLEMENTED BY MINISTRY OF WOMEN, SOCIAL WELFARE AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION.

AUSTRALIA

THE SERVICE DELIEVERY IN AUSTRALIA INCLUDES THE ACCESS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHERE DISABLED PEOPLE ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND SENIOR CITIZENS CARDS SO THAT THEY CAN GET CONCESSIONS ON FARES TO TRAVEL IN TRAMS, BUSES, FERRIES AND TRAINS. THE AUSTRALIAN POLICY TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION:

BETTER MEASUREMENT OF NEEDS

POPULATION BENCH MARKING FOR DISABILITY SERVICES

MAKING OLDER CARES A PRIORITY

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SYSTEMS BASED ON DISABILITY STANDARDS

SERVICE PLANNING AND STRATEGIES TO SIMPLIFY ACCESS

EARLY INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION

LIFELONG PLANNING AND INCREASING INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION STRATEGIES

INCREASED WORKFORCE CAPACITY

INCREASED ACCESS FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

ACCESS TO AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

IPROVED ACCESS TO DISABILITY CARE

NEW ZEALAND

THERE ARE 15 FORMULATED OBJECTIVES TO ENSURE THE QUALITY SERVICES THAT ARE RENDERED TO ITS DISABLED CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS. THEY INCLUDE:

ENCOURAGE AND EDUCATE FOR NON-DISABILING SOCIETY

ENSURE RIGHTS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES IN EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR DISABLE PEOPLE

FOSTER LEADERSHIP BY DISABLED PEOPLE

FOSTER AN AWARD AND RESPONSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE

CREATE LONG-TERM SUPPORT SYSTEMS CENTERED ON THE INDIVIUAL

SUPPORT LIFESTYLES CHOICES, RECREATION AND CULTURE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

COLLECT AND USE RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT DISABLED PEOPLE AND DISABILITY ISSUES

PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED MAORI

PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED PACIFIC PEOPLE

ENABLE DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO LEAD FULL AND ACTIVE LIVES

PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED WOMEN IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE

VALUE FAMILIES/WHANAU AND PEOPLE PROVIDING ON-GOING SUPPORT

SIMILARITIES

ALL THE THREE COUNTRIES HAVE SIMILAR DISABILITY POLICIES AND HELP SUPPORT DISABLED PEOPLE IN ANY MAESUREABLE WAY. ALL THREE COUNTRIES HAVE WRITTEN GUIDELINES AND POLICIES THAT ARE FOLLOWED WHEN CARING FOR THE DISABLED AND ALSO ENSURED THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE MAINTAINED. DISABLED PEOPLE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN NORMAL SCHOOLS WITH NORMAL STUDENTS.

DIFFERENCES

THE SERVICE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA ARE FUNDE BY MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) WHEREAS THERE ARE NO FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE DISABLED IN FIJI BUT DO HAVE FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THEM. ONLY NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA HAVE BUSES WITH RAMPS FOR THE DISABLED PEOPLE ON WHEELCHAIRS TO GET ON BOARD.

INTERNATIONAL POLICY ON SERVICE DELIEVERY ON AGEING

FIJI

THE FIJI GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED ITS AGING POLICY IN 2009 THAT FOCUSES ON MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES CONCERNING ELDERLY CARE AND A NATIONAL COUNCIL OF OLDER PERSONS (NCOP) DECREE THAT HAS BEEN DRAFTED TO PROVIDE AN INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ELDERLY IN FIJI. ISSUES LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, EMPLOYEMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR ELDERLY, ALONG WITH RETIREMENT POLICIES AND PENSION COVERAGE ARE CONSIDERED. THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS FREE OF CHARGE. LEGAL AIDS ARE PROVIDED FOR SENIOR CITIZENS FROM JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT WHEN FACING LEGAL PROBLEMS.

NEW ZEALAND

THE SERVICES DELIEVERD PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICES AND PROVISIONS THAT ENABLE PEOPLE TO AGE IN PLACE. ADEQUATE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THE OLD PEOPLE THROUGH AGENCIES SUCH AS AGE CONCERN NZ, SO THAT OLD PEOPLE WILL LIVE SATISFYING AND ENJOYABLE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. THUS, THE ELDERS COULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR WHANAU AND THE COMMUNITY.

THE POLICY ALSO RECOGNISES THE DIVERSE CULTURE AND CONSIDERS AND RESPECTS THE BELIEFS AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF ALL THE OLD PEOPLE.

AUSTRALIA

AUSRTALIA HAS SERVICES THAT COULD CATER TO THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCIAL AND SECURITY PROVISIONS-THE GOVERNMENT GIVES PENSION TO THE OLD PEOPLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT GIVES ACCESS TO HAVING AGED PEOPLE SPECIAL TREATMENT TO PHARMACIES AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES.THE CONTINOUS ECONOMIC GROWTH OF AUSTRALIA IS IMPORTANT FOR THE WELLBEING OF AGED PEOPLE AS PER MAINTENANCE OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND PREVENTION OF ILLNESS.

SIMILARITIES

ALL THREE COUNTRIES WISH TO ACHIEVE BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE OLD PEOPLE AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGE THE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO AGE WITH DIGNITY AND PRIDE. ALL THREE COUNTRIES RESPECT THE DIVERSE CULTURES AND FOCUS ON PERSON CENTERED CARE.

DIFFERENCES

NEW ZEALAND HAS MORE POLICIES ON THE OLD THAN THE OTHER TWO COUNTRIES. THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ARE LOOKED AFTER IN RETIREMENT VILLAGES AND GET FULL ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES THEREFOR ETENT TO HAVE LONGER LIFE SPANS.