AGY-1941 | Disability Council of New South Wales (1988-2014) / Disability Council NSW (2014- )

Full description

The Disability Council of New South Wales was constituted by the Community Welfare Act 1987 (Act No.52, 1987) (1), and commenced on 1 January 1988. (2) The Council was the official advisory body on disability issues and policy, with the majority of its members having a physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychiatric disability; other members are experienced in the provision of services for people with disabilities, their families, and carers. (3)

In accordance with the provisions of Section 16(2) of the Community Welfare Act 1987, the role of the Disability Council was to: a) research, evaluate and implement government policy relating to disability issues and assess their impact on people with disabilities; b) advise government on the priorities and initiatives to be given to services and advocate on behalf of people with disabilities; c) promote the integration of people with disabilities into the community through community awareness and education; d) encourage diversity, flexibility and innovation in services through constant consultation with people with disabilities, their families and carers. (4)

The Disability Council of New South Wales continued in existence under the name Disability Council NSW under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (Act No.41, 2014) from 3 December 2014 which provided a rights-based legislation framework. The Council's revised responsibilities under this new Act were to:
(i) monitor the implementation of Government policy;
(ii) advise the Minister on emerging issues relating to people with disability, and about the content and implementation of the State Disability Inclusion Plan and disability inclusion action plans;
(iii) advise public authorities about the content and implementation of disability inclusion action plans;
(iv) promote the inclusion of people with disability in the community and promote community awareness of matters concerning the interests of people with disability and their families;
(v) consult with similar councils and bodies, and people with disability; and,
(vi) conduct research about matters relating to people with disability. (5)

The reconstituted Council had up to 12 members, including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. Each member was appointed for up to four years by the Governor of NSW on the recommendation of the State Government's Minister for Disability Services. Members were selected to be on Council because:
(a) they live with a disability,
(b) they are an expert on disability,
(c) they want to improve the lives of people with disability.
The Council's members had a variety of disabilities and backgrounds. Members included people from Aboriginal or cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), young people and also people from rural and regional NSW. In addition, the Council included members who are carers or family members of people with disability. (6)

Endnotes
1. Community Welfare Act 1987 (Act No.52, 1987) s.16(1).
2. NSW Government Gazette No.199, 31 December 1987, p.7265.
3. Community Welfare Act 1987 s.16(2).
4. Ibid.
5. Department of Communities and Justice website, https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/advisory-councils/disability-council-nsw/about-the-disability-council.html, (accessed 2 December 2022); Disability Inclusion Act 2014, s.15(1).
6. Ibid.; Disability Inclusion Act 2014 ss.15 and 17.