6.4: Access and participation

The 1997-1998 Portfolio Budget Statements, informs Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to portfolios outcomes and their objectives and targets including the agencies within the Health and Family Services portfolio.

In this section:

Budget Measures

Objective

Participation and choice for people with disabilities, their families and carers in all aspects of community life.

Priority outcomes

A more positive image of people with disabilities in the community.
A greater voice for people with disabilities, their families and carers in decisions that affect them.
Better outcomes for people with disabilities from funded services.
Equity of access for people with disabilities to services and support.
Improved accountability of providers of specialist disability support services.

Strategies

Manage disability programs (print disability, information, disability advocacy services and the National Relay Service) to encourage flexible and innovative service delivery based on the needs of individuals.
Pursue equitable access to specialist disability support services on the basis of support needs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, ethnicity, gender and geographic location.
Promote an awareness of the rights and abilities of people with disabilities by means of the Commonwealth Disability Strategy and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Ensure a broad-based approach to consultation which promotes a shared understanding between the Department as a whole and the disability community.
Raise awareness of disability services programs among target audiences through a range of marketing activities.
Provide funding for research and development projects in line with annual strategic priorities.

Performance indicators and targets

Effectiveness

Indicator	Target	Information source and reporting frequency
Progress made on Departmental Action Plan under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Priority Outcome 4; Strategies 3, 4)	Timely progress being made on actions listed within Plan	Revised Action Plan Feedback from program areas
Progress made by Commonwealth Agencies in line with Commonwealth Disability Strategy (Priority Outcome 4; Strategies 3, 5)	Progress Report finalised by end 1997	Report tabled in Parliament by end 1997 demonstrating progress made by Commonwealth agencies in line with the Strategy
Awareness of disability issues in targeted sectors of the community (Priority Outcome 1; Strategies 4, 5)	Development of a targeted community campaign as an extension of the Commonwealth Disability Strategy by 30 June 1998 Increased awareness of Disability Programs	Campaign strategy Internet, media monitoring, nominations for Employer of the Year, level of activity in support of International Day for Disabled Persons
New agreement for delivery of the National Relay Service (Priority Outcome 3; Strategy 1)	New arrangements in place by 30 June 1998	Not applicable

Efficiency

Indicator	Target	Information source and reporting frequency
Review Print Disability Program (Priority Outcome 3; Strategy 1)	By 30 June 1998	Revised contracts for 1998-99

Quality

Indicator	Target	Information source and reporting frequency
Quality of advice to the Minister through the National Disability Advisory Council (Priority Outcome 2; Strategy 4)	Timely advice provided to the Minister on a range of issues including the Commonwealth/State Disability Agreement, Advocacy Review and the Quality and Standards Review	Feedback from Chair of National Disability Advisory Council

Equity

Indicator	Target	Information source and reporting frequency
Implementation plan for Advocacy Program to take account of special needs groups (based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, ethnicity, gender and geographic location) (Priority Outcome 5; Strategies 1, 2)	Developed by 30 June 1998	Not applicable

Performance assessment: evaluation

Commonwealth Disability Strategy: The Commonwealth Disability Strategy is a ten year framework for Commonwealth Agencies to provide services, facilities and programs which are accessible to people with disabilities. The evaluation, which will be completed before the end of 1997, will assist in refining the contents and directions, and better targeting, of the Strategy, in line with Government policy.

National Disability Advocacy Review: The purpose of the review is to ensure that Commonwealth resources committed to disability advocacy are targeted in the most effective manner. The review will examine how effectively the program meets the Government's objectives and to what extent the program represents value for money. It is expected that a final report will be presented to the Minister by August 1997.

How the program is resourced: reconciliation of appropriations to the program and summary of portfolio outlays (Excel 52 KB)

Variations to Program Outlays 1996-97 to 1997-98 (Excel 24 KB)