Event description
Putting disability at the centre of philanthropy’s inclusion conversation
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased social disadvantage and sharpened the need to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are priorities for everyone. But all too often, people living with disability are not part of this conversation. Stanford Social Innovation Review’s recent paper, ‘Centering Disability’ states:
“If the philanthropic sector is to advance social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, then we must recognise disability as central to our work.”
1 in 6 Australians live with disability. In 2020 The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare published a report on People with disability in Australia. Whilst acknowledging that there are still gaps in the data, the report outlines the stark differences experienced by people with disabilities across most aspects of life:
- People with disability find it about twice as hard to get a job as other Australians and more difficult to keep it. Only 48% of working age Australians with disability are employed, compared to 80% of people without disability.
- People with disability have lower levels of access to preventative healthcare. 24% of people with disability experience health that is very good or excellent, compared with 65% of Australians without disability.
- People with disability experience high/very high psychological distress. 32% compared with 8% of people without disability.
- People with disability have experienced violence. 47% of people with disability over 15 compared with 36% of people without disability.
As we emerge from the pandemic and begin to rebuild the economy, our recovery plans must include the means of enabling people with disabilities to live the lives they choose. Philanthropy has the opportunity to help remove existing barriers and to innovate with people with disability to ensure that Australia becomes more equitable and inclusive.
But there are pockets of philanthropy that are already working to improve outcomes for people living with disabilities. In this webinar we will examine the data to understand what can be done and hear about some of the programs that are already underway.