3. Economic security

People with disability and their carers have lower workforce participation rates and difficulty securing affordable, appropriate housing. Meaningful employment and adequate housing are not only important for economic security but also for physical and mental wellbeing, independence, and identity. Income support systems should also allow people to live with dignity. We need to remove barriers which prevent people with disability and their families from economic participation and secure housing.

Outcome

People with disability, their families and carers to have economic security, enabling them to plan for the future and exercise control and choice over their lives.

Policy Directions

• Increased access to employment opportunities as a key to improve economic security and personal wellbeing for people with disability, their families and carers.
• Income support and tax systems to provide an adequate standard of living for people with disability, their families and carers, while fostering personal financial independence and employment.
• Improved access to housing options that are affordable and provide security of tenure.

Areas for future action

3.1 Improve employer awareness of the benefits of employing people with disability.

3.2 Reduce barriers and disincentives for the employment of people with disability.

3.3 Encourage innovative approaches to employment of people with disability such as social enterprises, or initiatives to assist people with disability establish their own small business.

3.4 Improve employment, recruitment and retention of people with disability in all levels of public sector employment, and in funded organisations.

3.5 Develop innovative approaches to future financial planning including private provision for people with disability, their families and carers.

3.6 Develop innovative options to improve affordability and security of housing across all forms of tenure.

3.7 At the review points of the National Affordable Housing Agreement and related National Partnership agreements, parties agree to consider including strategies consistent with the Strategy, to ensure they address the housing needs of people with disability.

3.8 Consider the implications for economic security for people with disability, their families and carers arising from investigation into a national long-term care and support scheme.