IDA Magazine Vol 40 Iss 3 (Sep 2019)

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
As I write this presidents report, I receive notification that a letter sent by ASID to the Australian Royal
Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has been received.
In writing to the Royal Commission, we sought to raise the issue of people with intellectual disability and
their experience of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. We know that 60% of people accessing
the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have an intellectual disability. It is reasonable then to
assume that if adequate supports are put in place, then a significant portion of people participating in the
Royal Commission will be people with intellectual disability.
As an organisation grounded in research to practice, we are acutely aware that there is a lack of robust
data as to the incidences of abuse for people with intellectual disability. However, from what is available,
we know that people with intellectual disability are disproportionally represented among victims.
We also know that people with intellectual disability face additional challenges to disclosure. This is due
to many factors including communication skills and often dependent relationships with service providers
or family members.
ASID is advocating for the Royal Commission to ensure that the issues confronting people with all levels
of intellectual disability are considered. This should include provision of appropriate preparatory support
for individual to participate in the Commission as well as emotional support during and post participation.
Once the investigation phase is complete, the Royal Commission will be tasked with crafting a future
where people with disability experience a quality of life not marred by violence, abuse, neglect and
exploitation.
ASID is calling on the Royal Commission to collate the current body
of evidence about good quality support, culture and the factors that
influence these. We are also advocating for additional research to be
commissioned that addresses identified research gaps, particularly
around support in the family setting and underrepresented groups.
To keep the conversation alive, we are planning a symposium on
the topic at our annual Australasian conference ‘The Journey to a
Good Life, Taking Control’. The conference is in Adelaide from the
6th – 8th November. We have invited the Royal Commission to make
representation at the symposium and are awaiting a response.
I invite you to join us in Adelaide, your voice is invaluable to this
discussion. For more information www.asidconference.com.au, early
bird rates are ending soon.
Laura Hogan
2019 ASID President
president@asid.asn.au
4 www.asid.asn.au