Disability advocates call for reform three years after Royal Commission

Three years after the Disability Royal Commission issued 222 recommendations to address the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disabilities, advocacy groups report that systemic change remains difficult to track. A national coalition of disability advocacy organisations has released a ‘Report Card’ to assess progress on ten key recommendations, including disability rights, inclusive education, and NDIS safeguards. The coalition notes that a key recommendation—the creation of an independent, disability-led body to monitor implementation—remains unimplemented.

Simultaneously, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is calling for urgent reform of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Advocates argue the current law relies on a reactive complaints model that places the burden of proof and legal navigation on individuals after discrimination has occurred. PWDA is urging the Australian Government to shift responsibility toward organisations, requiring them to prevent discrimination and remove barriers proactively rather than forcing individuals to undergo exhausting and potentially retraumatising legal processes.