Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 8 May 2017 28. The Commission is particularly concerned that the basic challenges that people with disability face in accessing the built and natural environment have not been adequately dealt with since Australia’s ratification of the CRPD and the adoption of the NDS. This prevents people with disability from enjoying their ESC rights on an equal basis with others. 29. For example, in 2010 the National Dialogue on Universal Housing Design agreed to a voluntary target that all new housing construction by 2020 would meet the silver level of livable housing design standards.11 A 2015 review on progress towards this target prepared by the Australian Network on Universal Housing Design and Rights and Inclusion Australia estimated that the uptake of livable housing design under the current voluntary approach is likely to be less than five per cent for new private dwellings by 2020. 12 30. Recommendation: That the Australian Government fully implement the NDS and prioritise efforts to ensure that targets for universal housing design are met by 2020. 5.2 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (ICESCR Articles 2(2) & 11) 31. The Commission recognises that the introduction of the NDIS is a major social reform with the potential to significantly enhance the ESC rights of persons with a disability. This includes by ensuring that person-centered approaches are adopted for services for people with a disability. The full rollout of the NDIS is expected to be complete by July 2018. The Commission notes that Western Australia, in agreement with the Australian Government, has a state-run NDIS, which is consistent with the national NDIS.13 32. Recommendation: That the Australian Government continue to fully support the roll out of the NDIS. 5.3 Employment of people with disabilities (ICESCR Articles 2(2), 6 & 7; LOI 13) 33. In 2015-16, the Australian Human Rights Commission conducted a National Inquiry into employment discrimination against older Australians and Australians with disability.14 The inquiry developed recommendations identifying priority actions that could be taken by government, employers and businesses, as well as improvements to existing systems. There has been no formal response to the report and no government-led action plan to implement its recommendations. 34. Recommendation: That the Australian Government implement the Willing to Work report recommendations and reduce employment discrimination against people with a disability and older Australians. 7