As a disabled man who lives in Sydney Australia, also, the fact that I’m born in Australia, and am an Australian citizen. This puts me in a good position to explain what it’s like to be disabled in Australia. Also, I wasn’t born disabled, it only happened around a decade ago. Both of my hips developed osteoarthritis, which was the result of cartilage being worn out, since then both hips have been replaced with steel joints. My right knee has osteo-arthritis right now, but has not been replaced or even operated on, because it’s a surgery that should be done later in life, which means that I have to deal with the chronic pain for the rest of my life.
I believe that one of the main problems with my situation is the colour of my skin, and my gender. I’m a white man who was born in Australia, which means that I receive less favorable treatment than anyone who has immigrated to Australia, not to mention someone who isn’t a man. I’ve been rejected from receiving disability support from the Australian government for no reason other than I suspect the colour of my skin, being a male and being born in Australia.
Australian government organisations actively discriminate against people like myself because they are actively trying to kill white Australian men off. I’m sorry but there is absolutely no other explanation for my mistreatment.
How Australian Charities Treat Disabled People
Here’s one quick story, which I think is a great representation of how Australian charities treat people like myself. After being fired for being disabled, then being ignored by Gladys Berejiklian after the fact, I had my first hip replacement and found myself in absolute poverty, only a week or two from being a homeless disabled person, recovering from a major surgery while being homeless.
I entered St Vincent De Paul in crutches, my left hip had been replaced, and was still swollen up like a big balloon, so big that I was wearing stretchy pajama pants. Inside St Vincent Depaul (a charity shop) I over heard two white Australian female boomers who work in the charity shop telling a group of Sudanese refugees that they can have whatever they like for free. You would think that being an Australian citizen and not an economic refugee who has travelled here for money, you’d think they would look after me first, you’d think that these boomers would care for an Australian, or at least give an Australian priority.
But they did not, these two ladies told me that only the Sudanese refugees were allowed to receive free clothes and I would have to pay for mine. I asked for a discount, but the ladies gave me a cold hearted tone of voice, told me that I have to pay, she looked at me as if I was some type of privileged person. Yet, I was on the verge of homelessness and possibly suicide, but did St Vincent Depaul care? No, they treated me like someone who deserved to die and I think that’s what they wanted, shame on you St Vincent Deshit.
How Disabled Persons Are Treated in Australia
Regardless of the disability nor the nature or severity of a handicap, everybody has the freedom to be an involved member of their country’s community and have a say in choices that influence their personal development. In 2008, Australia joined the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of Disabled Persons, outlining governments’ responsibilities to make this a reality, but did they uphold their obligations?
However, unfavorable attitudes, physical hurdles, and challenges in obtaining required services hinder many Australian citizens with disabilities, such as hardships in availing a job opportunity, learning, socializing, and participating in communal life.
The Disability Services Act in Australia safeguards an individual’s rights against discriminatory practices in many spheres of public life. It also advocates for persons with disabilities to have equal treatment, equal opportunities, and fair access.
Australia is a guarantor to the seven fundamental human rights accords. The Agreement on the Rights of a Disabled person outlines the rights of individuals with disabilities. In this article, we will review the requests that disabled individuals are given legally, and yet what are some of the difficulties they still face despite the progressiveness.
What are the rights of individuals with disabilities in Australia?
Disabled individuals are legally entitled to the same human rights as any other individual. When developing legislation, a policy, or a program, you must consider the specific rights afforded to persons with disabilities that refer to the availability of:
- structures, roads, transportation, and public amenities such as schools, homes, healthcare, dispensaries, and workplaces
- technology, telecommunications, and other services, such as the Online and rescue services
- Essential services such as healthcare and public institutions such as the legal system and judiciary, and other normal activities such as the right to vote and campaign
- choose any career
- a sufficient quality of living, involving adequate food, clothes, and shelter
- in-home, domestic, and various forms of community support,
- Transportation assistance, helpful gadgets, and assistive technology for individuals with impairments
- creates rules and practices for entry to facilities and amenities to guarantee that private enterprises will provide public facilities for individuals with disabilities
- People with disabilities have the right to decision-making capability or legal rights and acknowledgment before the court.
Difficulties faced by Disabled People of Australia
Despite the progressive laws and developments. There are still some important concerns for Australian individuals that are living with impairments, such as below:
- Individuals with impairments are likely to be destitute, living in substandard or unsafe homes, and have low educational attainment. They are frequently socially inept and have less opportunity to participate in community life.
- Mental health issues and sickness are among the leading causes of disability, decreased quality of life, and reduced productivity.
- Regarding the relative income of persons with disabilities, Australia ranks worst among OECD nations.
- Total employment numbers for persons with disabilities continue to below
- Young individuals with mental illnesses or any brain impairment are at minimum six times more likely to experience prison in Australia than young children without disabilities.
- Despite efforts toward making all Australian public transportation accessible by 2022, 1.2 million individuals with impairments report difficulty utilizing public transit.
- According to studies, over a third of persons who report rape have a handicap. 90% of females with mental impairments have experienced sexual assault.
What are the top impediments to employment for people with impairments in Australia?
- There is a deficit of services and assistance.
- Problems with the workforce
- Services, equipment, and assistive technology are in short supply.
- There aren’t enough housing possibilities.
- The significance of healthcare
- Deprivations and the costs of disability-related living.
- The necessity for a long-term care and support system.
