Department of Justice Disability Action Plan

Secretary's Foreword to the Disability Action Plan 2005-2010

The Department of Justice is committed to the Tasmanian Governments Disability Framework for Action 2005-2010, a whole-of-government approach to policy and planning, service delivery and evaluation that seeks to remove barriers and enable people with disability to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other Tasmanians. To this end the Department of Justice has undertaken and completed many of the Agency commitments under the Framework, namely:

Supporting and protecting both people with a disability and their carers through the Relationships Act 2003, which recognises a category of caring relationship where one or both people in the relationship provide domestic support and personal care to the other;
Supporting the role of the Guardianship and Administration Board and the Public Guardian to oversee the appointment of guardians, protect people with disabilities who are unable to make decisions for themselves, investigate allegations of abuse and promote the rights and dignity of people with disabilities;
Providing support for clients with a disability within the criminal justice system, including the appointment of court liaison officers;
Prohibiting discrimination through the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 and providing for the investigation and conciliation of discrimination complaints by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner;
Educating the community about the principles and practices of anti-discrimination;
Incorporating the needs of people with a disability in the design of the new Risdon Prison, including providing disability access accommodation and accessible walkways; and,
Establishing a Secure Mental Health Unit adjacent to the new Risdon Prison complex for people with acute mental illness who require specialist mental health inpatient treatment. This facility is operated by the Department of Health and Human Services but its construction formed part of the broader Risdon redevelopment project run by this Agency.

Aspects of these achievements are subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

The value and support for the Disability initiative is reflected in the Departments mission and vision statements, combined into a single statement -

The Agency, in partnership with others will work towards achieving a safe, fair and sustainable Tasmanian community where the diversity and rights of individuals are respected.

The intention of the Framework is captured similarly in the Agencys values, which include -

People are treated fairly and the diversity amongst our staff is encouraged and respected;
All staff are accountable for working to achieve the goals of the Agency; and
On-going learning, creativity and participation are valued.

The work on the Disability Action Plan directly relates to two of the Departments key strategic issues of increasing the effectiveness of the justice system; and, protecting and fostering rights and responsibilities. The Department of Justice had an Agency representative attending and participating in all meetings of the Inter-Department Committee, Disability; staff participation in various workshops organised by the Disability Bureau; promoting the Disability Framework to members of the Agencys Departmental Executive; cross-Agency, externally and internally, and consultation with groups of people with specialist knowledge across the Department, in Government and non-Government as well as people with disability.

To a large extent the ground work for the Departments Disability Action Plan was done through the Agencys Workplace Diversity Program, September 2003, in which many aspects of embracing disability are agreed and are in place. Outcomes and strategies reflected in the Departments Workplace Diversity Program include:-

Awareness of diversity in the workplace;
Equity in employment - ensuring that employees with disabilities are provided with equipment and support necessary in order for them to fulfil their duties, developing and implementing a Disability Awareness Policy; encouraging employees who are likely to be subject to employment related disadvantage to apply for higher level positions; incorporating diversity into Recruitment and Selection policies and procedures to ensure that the diverse background and skills of employees are recognised; selection panel training to include information about equity, merit and diversity and how they affect the selection process; and, providing training in equity of employment to manager and supervisors;
Reporting requirements - providing annual statistical reports to the Office of the State Service Commissioner; and
Annual monitoring and reporting conducted on the progress against Program activities.

These same outcomes and strategies are part of the Departments Disability Action Plan. In particular, the Action Plan highlights recruitment and employment of people with disability; access to and working within the Justice environment; equity and access to Justice information; and, training and awareness of staff and managers.

Lisa Hutton
Secretary