Disability Royal Commission – tell your story

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) was established on the 4 April 2019 and will run for three years until 2022.

Do you or someone you know have a disability and been treated badly? We can help you share your story and help make life better and safer for Australians with disability.

Download our factsheet

Hear Cody Skinner one of the local champions for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network Queensland (ATSIDNQ) talk about his thoughts on the Royal Commission.  ADA Australia can provide free support to help you tell your story.

What is the Disability Royal Commission?

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) was established on the 4 April 2019 and will run for three years until 2022. It is investigating reports of violence, neglect and abuse and exploitation of people with disability across Australia.

It can make recommendations about what needs to be changed to make life better and safer for Australians with disability.

What things can I talk about?

The Disability Royal Commission wants to hear about if you have been hurt, treated badly, refused help or taken advantage of. It might be when applying for a job, living in a group home, going to hospital or getting medical help, accessing services, or across any other areas of your life.

It can be recent, or it might have happened a long time ago.

Find more information about specific issues the Disability Royal Commission is interested in, and some questions you could consider.

Why should I share my story?

It will help the Disability Royal Commission learn more about problems and how they can help prevent them in the future. It can also sometimes help to have your experiences heard and acknowledged.

Can I be anonymous?

You can talk to ADA Australia in confidence, and we protect the privacy of our clients. You can also share your story with the Disability Royal Commission anonymously if you wish.

How can ADA Australia help me?

ADA Australia will

• Listen and link you with any immediate support you need, for example, help to access services, stop discrimination, or make complaints
• Talk about how you might share your story, if you decide you want to participate in the Disability Royal Commission
• Help you tell your story in your own words and in the way the suits you best – writing it down, making a video or audio recording, making pictures.
• Submit your story to the Royal Commission, or help you arrange a private session to talk about your experiences if you would like to do this.
• Organise any support you need such as an interpreter or communication support.
• Link you with support for ongoing counselling and/or psychological support as needed.

Where is this support available?

Free advocacy support to participate in the Royal Commission is available to residents in:

• Central Queensland including Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gladstone, the Fitzroy, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana and Woorabinda Shires and the Central Highlands.
• Gold Coast and hinterland.

If you live outside these areas, please contact us and we can connect you with other advocacy organisations in our network for help.

Concerned about confidentiality agreements or legal issues?

Ask Your Story Disability Legal Support. Your Story Disability Legal Support is providing free, independent legal support to share your story with the Disability Royal Commission.

Does the thought of telling your story bring up difficult feelings?

There are services available to support you through any difficult feelings you might be having because of the Royal Commission.  Some of these are provided by the Royal Commission.  Others are provided by independent, external providers that have been funded by the Australian Government.  Find counselling services in your area.

Information from the Disability Royal Commission

The following information is available from the Disability Royal Commission website.

• Hearing Dates –https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings/Pages/default.aspx
• Submission Information https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/submissions/Pages/default.aspx
  • Assistance with Submissions –
  • Contact the Disability Royal Commission information services:
    • Phone: 1800 517 199 (9am – 5pm)
    • Email: DRCenquiries@royalcommission.gov.au
• Auslan Submission Information –https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/submissions/Pages/default.aspx#auslan
• Telephone Counselling