Australian Human Rights Commission
Submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – 25 July 2019
98.
The Commission does not support the clarification suggested by the
Australian Government to General Comment No. 4.98 It encourages the
Australian Government to move as expeditiously and effectively as
possible to transfer resources from segregated to inclusive environments.
Recommendation 51: The Australian Government ensure that the funding
model and budgetary allocations for students with disabilities
expeditiously and effectively transfer resources from segregated to
inclusive education environments.
4.17 Health (CRPD art 25, LOI 27)
99.
The Commission is concerned that people with disability continue to face a
range of barriers in accessing health services on an equal basis with
others, without discrimination, including mental health services.
100.
The AIHW found:
• 1 in 6 people with disability aged under 65 years experienced
discrimination by health staff
• 2 in 5 people with disability aged under 65 years had difficulty
accessing medical facilities
• 1 in 5 people with disability aged under 65 years delayed or did not see
a GP because of the cost
• people with disability aged under 65 years living in the community in
outer regional and remote areas were less likely than those living in
major cities to see a GP, medical specialist or dentist. 99
101.
People with intellectual disability experience substantially elevated
mortality rates above the general population, with over twice the rate of
avoidable deaths (with at least 38% of deaths potentially avoidable) and
lower rates of preventative healthcare and illness detection. Health
professionals face challenges communicating with people with intellectual
disability, distinguishing health problems from the disability, and
diagnosing complex health conditions.100
102.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with disability face unique,
intersectional discrimination in accessing health services. People with
disability in rural and remote areas also face considerable challenges to
accessing affordable, accessible, quality and culturally sensitive health
services. People with disability and their carers report travelling long
distances, extensive waiting times and workforce shortages resulting in
difficulties accessing therapy and high levels of unmet need.101
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and early
30