News
December 2020
CYDA Dec/Jan plans
Article
Discrimination for the community
Overview
People with disability can experience discrimination when they are treated less favourably than people without disability in similar circumstances. It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their disability. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 prohibits discrimination against people with disability in employment, education, publicly available premises, in the provision of goods and services, accommodation, clubs and associations, and other contexts.
The social model of disability says ‘disability’ is the result of the interaction between people living with impairments and an environment filled with physical, attitudinal, communication and social barriers. It therefore carries the implication that the environment must change to enable people living with impairments to participate in society on an equal basis with others.
Discrimination against children and young people with disability
Children and young people with disability often face discrimination. In the social model of disability, barriers and discrimination occur because of systems, attitudes, structures and institutions that are not inclusive or either directly or indirectly discriminate against people with disability. Children and young people with disability are often denied the right to inclusive education and to participate equally in mainstream settings as their peers without disability.
The post-school transition to further education and employment for young people with disability is often poor and they receive little tailored information or support. This discrimination and inequality can continue throughout people’s lives, with significantly poorer outcomes for people with disability in areas including higher education, employment, health and social participation.
Young people with disability experience significantly higher rates of unemployment than those without disability, due to a lack of reasonable adjustments and lower expectations by employers and, therefore, the need to rely on income support. Accessing and obtaining employment is typically characterised by disadvantage and exclusion.
CYDA’s work is to advocate systemically for the human rights of children and young people with disability and the promotion of equality and non-discrimination.
Relevant legislation
There is international and federal legislation to protect people with disability against discrimination, including:
- the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The full text of the CRPD is available in a variety of accessible formats, including Easy Read.
- the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and Easy Read version.
- the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
More information
For more information about discrimination and your rights, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website.
Visit our Get help page to find out more information about the anti-discrimination authority in your state or territory and where you can make a complaint. There are also disability legal services where you can get free legal advice about disability discrimination.
Resources
News
December 2020
Media: Disability groups fight to end segregation of people with disability in Australia
Article
News
December 2020
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), statement by Mary Sayers, CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia
News
December 2020
UN event: It all begins with education
Research & reports
November 2020
National Youth Disability Summit - What young people with disability said - Awareness, Access and Inclusion Position Paper
Download
Research & reports
November 2020
National Youth Disability Summit Outcomes Report Card - Awareness, Access and Inclusion (Plain english PDF)
Article
Media Releases
November 2020
Media Statement: Victoria pulls the first lever on delivering inclusive education
Download
News
November 2020
Media: Access to the NDIS
Audio
Research & reports
November 2020
Education in remote and complex environments: House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training
Article
News & media
October 2020
A horrific playground incident: how one school failed its students
Download
Submissions
October 2020
Disability Royal Commission - Response to Employment issues paper
Download
News
October 2020
Media: Disability Royal Commission and CYDA in the media
Article
News
October 2020
Joint media statement: Australia is failing students with disability, evidence to the Royal Commission will show
Download
News
September 2020
Media: Time for change in disability support
Audio
News
September 2020
Media: Students with disabilities could be disadvantaged if HECS loans are removed from failing students
Audio
Media Releases
September 2020
Privacy concerns a stumbling block for Disability Royal Commission submissions
Download
Media Releases
August 2020
No plan, no voice, clumsy solutions for children and young people with disability through COVID 19
Download
News
August 2020
Article: Governments urged to prioritise Victorians with disability during second COVID wave Advocates warn of "tragic outcomes" if proper planning is not undertaken
Article
Media Releases
August 2020
The NDIA and Victorian Government must prioritise people with disability so they do not suffer in Stage 4 lockdowns
Download
Media Releases
July 2020
Once again no planning for children and young people with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic
Download
News
July 2020
Transcript: Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint committee
Download
Submissions
July 2020
Disability Royal Commission - Response to Criminal Justice System issues paper
Download
Media Releases
July 2020
Almost half of students with disability denied key school supports during pandemic: New research reveals
Download
Media Releases
July 2020
Urgent action needed to support Victorian children and young people with disability during COVID-19 lockdowns
Download
Media Releases
June 2020
Statement in response to ABC Background Briefing episode: Who seeks to profit from the trauma of abuse survivors?
Download
Submissions
June 2020
Addition to submission 30 to inquiry into education in remote and complex environments
Download
Submissions
June 2020
Victorian consultation on lessons from remote learning
Download
Research & reports
May 2020
More than isolated: The experience of children and young people with disability and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic
Download
Media Releases
May 2020
More than isolated’: COVID-19 compounds inequities for children and young people with disability
Download
Submissions
May 2020
Disability Royal Commission - Emergency planning and response during COVID-19
Download
Submissions
May 2020
Letter to PAEC's inquiry into the response to COVID-19
Download
Media Releases
March 2020
Don’t leave our kids behind: Families of kids, young people with disability concerned about new intensive care coronavirus guidelines
Download
Submissions
November 2019
Inquiry into free and equal: an Australian conversation on human rights
Download
Submissions
November 2018
Queensland Human Rights Bill 2018
Download
Submissions
August 2018
Stronger outcomes for families
Download
Legislation & acts
April 2018
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
External Website
Submissions
November 2017
Australia's draft report to the UN committee on the rights of the child
Download
Submissions
January 2016
CRPD draft general comment on the right to inclusive education
Download
Submissions
December 2015
Willing to work: National inquiry into employment discrimination against older Australians and Australians with disability
Download
Submissions
March 2015
CRPD general discussion on the right to education for persons with disabilities
Download
Submissions
January 2015
Equality capacity and disability in commonwealth laws
Download
Research & reports
October 2014
Strengthening participation of children and young people with disability in advocacy
Download
Legislation & acts
December 2006
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability 2006
External Website
Legislation & acts
September 1990
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
External Website