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In Australia, a royal commission is the government’s way of finding out about big problems that are important to the public.
Have you been mistreated? Would you like to tell your story to the Disability Royal Commission?
Call 1800 771 800 for free legal support. We're also here for you if there is someone you care about living with a disability who wants to share their story.
What is the Disability Royal Commission?
In Australia, a royal commission is the government’s way of finding out about big problems that are important to the public.
The Disability Royal Commission has been created to find out about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of all people living with disability.
What legal services can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access to help share their story?
Your Story Disability Legal Support is a free, national legal service for our mob living with disability, their family, carers and supporters and is independent from the Royal Commission.
- Our service is run by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisation and exists to help you to protect and understand your legal rights.
- We offer expert legal advice and information that is culturally safe and accessible.
- We want to help you share your story with the Disability Royal Commission,while protecting your legal rights.
To have a yarn you can call us on our free national helpline on 1800 771 800.
How can you share your story with the Disability Royal Commission?
If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person living with a disability who has experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, we are here to help you to share your story with the Disability Royal Commission.
There are 3 ways to do this:
- Make a submission (by writing, video or phone)
- Speak at a hearing
- Attend a private session.
What other support services are available?
Counselling:
Blue Knot Foundation is a national telephone counselling service that supports people who want to share their story with the Disability Royal Commission.
Contact their free service on 1800 421 468.
Disability Advocacy:
Free commonwealth-funded advocacy support services are available under National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP).
Who we are
We are NATSILS, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and we acknowledge that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with disabilities.
Source: Data Source: Avery, S. (2018). Culture is Inclusion: A narrative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability. First Peoples Disability Network (Australia). Sydney, Australia.
We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities face many layers of discrimination at home, at school, in organisations and in the community.
We have an opportunity, with the Disability Royal Commission, to make sure our stories are shared and heard.
We know that this will be a hard journey for a lot of our people.
Free legal help and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We are setting up an independent national legal help service for our mob so that people living with disability, their family, carers and supporters who want to share their story with the Royal Commission can be cared for properly.
We want to make sure our service is culturally safe and helps people share their stories and to heal. When you share your story, it's important that your legal rights are protected.
We will also be able to connect you with culturally appropriate counselling and other support services.
We will begin helping our people early in 2020, but there is general support available to help you right now.
Please come back to check this page regularly for updates.
Do you need help right now?
If you need help right now, please call the general Helpline on 1800 771 800.
If you want more information on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, go to First Peoples Disability Network Australia's website.
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