People with disability are sometimes seen and treated differently from others, which can lead to discrimination. Many everyday situations can also leave people with disability feeling excluded or restricted, which undermines their right to equal treatment. Having a disability is not a bad thing, and no one should be treated unfairly because of it.
Disability advocacy helps protect people with disability so that they are treated fairly and can avoid discrimination, as outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act.
About disability rights
Many laws protect the rights of people with disability so that they are treated fairly. For example, the Disability Act 2006 (Vic) protects the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities, reflecting Australia’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and promoting human rights. The Act sets out how services should be provided to uphold the rights and wellbeing of people with disability. With disability equity, people with disability feel valued and accepted and do not feel discriminated against in their environment.
Strong legal protections create the foundation, but the right support brings those rights into everyday life. Start your referral with Unify Disability Services to access services that focus on inclusion, independence, and meaningful participation in the community.
About disability discrimination
Many people with disability experience discrimination. It can be direct or indirect, making people with disability feel uncomfortable and restricted in their freedom wherever they are. Discrimination is the unfair or adverse treatment of a person or group based on specific characteristics, including impairment, which undermines their rights and freedoms.
It involves less favourable treatment of a person because of their disability, leading to disadvantages and unequal opportunities, which must be addressed to respect their rights. Impairment discrimination can have a profound impact on individuals, leading to limited access to employment, education, healthcare, and social opportunities that can significantly affect quality of life and feelings of exclusion in any society. For this reason, people with disability may need legal services and support.
Disability legal services and support
Legal services help people with disability stand up for their rights so that they have equal status and are treated equally in society, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Some of these legal services have different legal areas. If you experience a case of discrimination or something similar, these legal services can help you follow up and seek the protection you deserve.
Disability discrimination legal service inc
Disability discrimination legal services protect against bullying or discrimination from others against a person with disability. This includes discrimination in employment opportunities, education, public services, housing, and transportation, which can undermine their autonomy and limit their opportunities. Services include legal advice, assistance with complaints, representation in matters related to impairment and discrimination, and advocacy for systemic changes in disability equity.
Villamanta disability rights legal service
Villamanta Legal Service is a specialist community legal centre across Victoria that works exclusively on disability-related legal issues for people with disability, guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Their primary focus is people with intellectual disability. They also offer a telephone information service (check their website for current hours).
Victorian equal opportunity and human rights commission
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is an independent statutory body responsible for protecting and promoting human rights in Victoria, Australia. They work to ensure that all Victorians are treated fairly and with dignity, regardless of their background or characteristics. Not only do they protect people with disability, but they also protect everyone in Victoria to ensure equal justice and prevent social issues such as bullying, aiming to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
Office of the public advocate (OPA)
The Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) is an independent statutory body that promotes the rights, interests, and dignity of people with disabilities in Victoria, assisting them in seeking equality. Their focus is on individuals with intellectual impairment, mental illness, brain injury, physical impairment, or dementia, ensuring that all receive the assistance outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
They provide many services, such as advocates for people with disabilities who have no other advocacy options and are at risk of abuse, exploitation, or neglect, and community education, which aims to provide information such as resources on guardianship, administration, and other related topics.
General legal services and support
General legal services encompass a broad range of legal services provided by lawyers or other legal professionals to individuals or businesses. Here are some legal services that can help you get the rights and justice to protect you, ensuring compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Law help guide
Sometimes, understanding the law can be challenging for many people, underscoring the importance of clear communication regarding their rights under current legislation. Many people struggle to understand the law and the process of securing the rights and freedoms they need to exercise their autonomy. Law help guides provide step-by-step guidance on handling legal issues, obtaining legal services that suit your needs, and facilitating your legal process, particularly in the context of disability equity.
Victoria legal aid (VLA)
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is a government agency that provides legal assistance to people who cannot afford a private lawyer. Its goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to legal representation and can protect their rights under the law, respecting their independence. This is particularly beneficial for people with disabilities, as they have the same rights to access protection from the law and legal services through Victoria Legal Aid.
The commission for children and young people
Also focusing on people in Victoria, the Commission for Children and Young People is an independent agency whose primary focus is to protect children and young people living in Victoria in cases of harm. Sadly, children with disability are sometimes bullied, ridiculed or mistreated. Therefore, special protection for children is essential and can have a significant benefit for young children.
Why are disability rights laws important?
Human rights and disability equity cannot be separated, especially since people with disabilities are sometimes not entirely accepted in various social environments, such as schools, jobs, and the public. Therefore, promoting human rights and disability equity is necessary to make them feel accepted and have equal justice with others, as international legislation mandates.
Under laws such as the Disability Act, these organisations advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, whether it’s addressing discrimination, offering legal advice, advocating for systemic change, or providing assistance for those with impaired decision-making capacity. They help ensure that individuals with disabilities are protected under the law and have the help they need to navigate legal challenges while maintaining their independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five rights of people with disabilities?
There is no single official list of five rights, but commonly cited rights, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, include the right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to accessibility, the right to participation, the right to health and education, and the right to live independently and be included in the community.
What is the disability rights approach?
Many approaches can be taken for people with disabilities to improve their comfort, such as removing barriers in social relations to ensure equal access in all areas of life and promoting inclusion in all aspects of society, including employment, education, and community participation so that they feel accepted, and empowering individuals with disabilities to make choices and decisions about their own lives.
What are the rights of disability equality?
Disability equality rights refer to the rights of people with disabilities to have equal chances and treatment in all spheres of life, including education, employment, healthcare, disability care, and social participation. For instance, they could have the same opportunity to participate in society as others and be involved in decisions that affect their lives, ensuring they have a voice in policies, laws, and services related to their rights and needs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, ensuring disability equality isn’t just about legal frameworks but also about fostering a society built on empathy and understanding, as the Australian Human Rights Commission emphasises. Let’s work together to create a meaningful world where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential, as envisioned by the United Nations, respecting the rights of all individuals.
Learn more about how you can contribute to this vital cause by visiting Unify Disability Services.
