Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Wednesday, 18 October 2006

Making it easier for people with a disability to go shopping, visit an accountant and get into workplaces is just as important as ensuring adequate income support and accessible housing.

Overcoming poverty is as much about being able to play a part in the civic and social life of our community as it is being able to pay the bills.
If Australian society wants to do something to help people with a disability then policies need to be developed that set standards on what makes a community physically accessible.

It is one thing to say that people with a disability need to become more involved in their community, it’s another for that community to be built so it can’t be accessed by a person who is blind or someone who cannot use steps or stairs.

Being able to physically access our local communities is not just a matter for people with a disability; it affects the elderly, people using crutches and parents with young children who use prams.

Having all the money in the world will do you no good if you can’t get to your local businesses to spend it.

About AFDO
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has been established as the primary national voice to Government that fully represents the interests of all people with disability across Australia.

The mission of AFDO is to champion the rights of people with disability in Australia and help them participate fully in Australian life.

For further information:
Maryanne Diamond, CEO – 03 9662 3324 / 0419 312 129