Who can share a story with the Disability Royal Commission?
Do you know or support a person with disability who has experienced (or is experiencing) violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation?
Unsure how to share this story with the Disability Royal Commission?
This factsheet is about who can share a story with the Disability Royal Commission.
Share your story
The Disability Royal Commission wants to hear your story if you are a family member, carer or supporter of a person with disability who has been hurt, treated badly, refused help or taken advantage of.
You should share the story in your name and from your point of view.
The person with disability can also share the story from their point of view if they want to.
Two or more people can share a story with the Disability Royal Commission about the same event or concern.
There are different ways you can share your story with the Disability Royal Commission, including in a submission or at private session. If you have concerns about safety or privacy of a person with disability, or yourself, Your Story Disability Legal Support can give you legal advice about safe ways to share your story with the Disability Royal Commission.
Get permission before naming the person with disability at the centre of the story
You should get permission from the person with disability to give the Disability Royal Commission their name and personal information. If the person does not agree, you should not share their personal information. You can speak to Your Story Disability Legal Support about how you can share the story with the Disability Royal Commission without naming the person.
Supporting someone to share their story
The person with disability that you know might want your support to share their story in their own way.
If they want you to, you could write the story they share with you, record them sharing it or be with them when they call the Disability Royal Commission.
A disability advocate could also support them to share their story.
Disability advocates are independent. They can help people understand more about the Disability Royal Commission. They act only in the interest of the person with disability they are supporting.
Some disability advocacy organisations have special funding to support people who want to share their story with the Disability Royal Commission. You can find your closest disability advocacy organisation by following this link: https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au/disability/ndap/. The services that may be able to assist are tagged with ‘Disability Royal Commission Advocacy Support’.
I have more questions
Call us on 1800 771 800 for legal advice.
Your Story Disability Legal Support is free, independent and separate from the Disability Royal Commission. We will not pass your information to the Disability Royal Commission unless you agree. We also won’t tell anybody what you tell us, unless you want us to.
Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide. It should not be relied on as legal advice and we recommend that you talk to a lawyer about your particular situation.
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Publication date: 17/11/2023
Publication type: factsheet
Language: English,