The Disability Royal Commission is coming to Hobart - August 2021

The Tasmanian Your Story team, our David Cocker and Josie Short from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service, has been busy promoting legal services to access the Disability Royal Commission. The team has focussed on community engagement and trying to connect with people with disability directly.

David and Josie have recently presented to groups in the North West, Launceston, Hobart and King Island. Community sessions took place in the Huon region throughout May with a dual focus on service providers, and people with disability and their supporters.

There was less demand than predicted for submissions and legal services across Australia so far – partly due to COVID-19, but also due to the barriers for people living with disability and their supporters to engage with a complicated legal process.

A public hearing has been announced for Hobart on 16 August 2021. The theme is the health and safety of women and girls with disability. You will recognise these as important focus areas in our programs and our Strategic Plan.

The upcoming Hobart hearing is a perfect opportunity to think about how you and your team can get involved. Everyone working in the legal assistance sector will interact with people with disability, sometimes every day.

Referring potential clients who may wish to share their story to Your Story is an easy way to contribute to the Disability Royal Commission. These stories can be a powerful force for change to improve the Justice system and the lives of people with disability.

Our vision is to assist all Tasmanians to be heard!