Free legal support for people with disability and supporters as Royal Commission announces deadline for submissions and private sessions

  • The Disability Royal Commission has announced it will close registrations for private sessions on 30 June 2022 and stop taking submissions after 31 December 2022.
  • Your Story Disability Legal Support (Your Story) is a free national service that gives legal advice and support to people taking part in the Disability Royal Commission.
  • Call Your Story on 1800 77 1800 for free legal support, including support with making submissions and registering for a private session, and assistance with other legal problems, such as NDIS.

People with disability interested in sharing their stories with the Disability Royal Commission are being encouraged to come forward for free legal support.

The Royal Commission today announced it will stop taking submissions after 31 December 2022. Registrations for private sessions will close on 30 June 2022.

Your Story Disability Legal Support (Your Story) is a free national service that gives legal advice and support to people taking part in the Disability Royal Commission.

Director Susannah O’Reilly invited people to contact the service to find out how they can access free support to share their stories before the December deadline.

“We can talk to you about your options for sharing your story, including how to take advantage of new legal protections for people giving confidential information to the Disability Royal Commission,” said Ms O’Reilly.

“We are independent of the Royal Commission and our legal support is free, confidential and available to anyone who needs it.

“Our priority is to support people with disability, as well as their family, friends, carers and advocates, to safely share their stories and connect with support services.”

Ms O’Reilly said as well as giving free legal advice, Your Story lawyers can support clients to make a submission and to register for and attend a private session.

“We can also assist you with other legal problems that you might have, such as the NDIS, and connect you with free counselling and advocacy support,” she said.

Your Story is funded by the Australian Government and delivered through Legal Aid Commissions and community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services in each state and territory.

National Coordinator Jake Lewis said the service can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to safely share their stories.

“The Disability Royal Commission is an important opportunity to shed light on the systemic issues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability face, and for those who have been mistreated to safely share their stories,” said Mr Lewis.

“This is about truth telling, and platforming the voices of people with lived experience is of the utmost importance.

“We work in partnership with Aboriginal communities to support people who live with disability to make submissions, which can collectively influence governments to make meaningful change.”

The Royal Commission was established in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.

It is due to deliver its final report to government by 29 September 2023 when it will make recommendations on how to improve laws, policies, structures and practices to protect people with disability.

Ms O’Reilly said sharing your story can help to inform these recommendations and ensure they reflect the needs and priorities of people with disability.

“With less than a year to go until submissions close, we invite people to contact Your Story to find out how they can access free support to safely share their stories,” she said.

For free, independent legal support, call Your Story Disability Legal Support on 1800 77 1800 (free call) or visit yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au.

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