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DISABILITY SERVICES ACT 1993 - SCHEDULE 2

DISABILITY SERVICES ACT 1993 - SCHEDULE 2

Schedule 2—Objectives

1         Disability services are to be designed and administered so as—

            (a)         to achieve positive outcomes for persons with disabilities, such as an enhanced image and level of competence, increased independence, increased education, training and employment opportunities and integration into, and participation in the life of, the community; and

            (b)         to ensure that the conditions of the day-to-day life of persons with disabilities are as close as possible to those of other members of the community; and

            (c)         to meet the individual needs and goals of the persons to whom the services are provided taking into account their age and other personal circumstances and any further disadvantage suffered as a result of their gender, ethnic origin, aboriginality, financial situation or location; and

            (d)         to ensure that no single service provider exercises control over all or most of the aspects of the life of a person with a disability; and

            (e)         to render the service provider accountable to all persons who use the service, the carers and advocates of persons with disabilities who use the service, the Minister and all other interested persons, through the provision of information relating to the services provided and their administration; and

            (f)         to ensure that the persons to whom the services are provided have their right to privacy and confidentiality respected; and

            (g)         to ensure that persons with disabilities who wish to use the services have easy access to advocacy support to facilitate their use of the services and their participation in any decision making relating to their use of the services; and

                  (i)         to allow, to the extent that is practicable, the persons who use the services the opportunity for informed participation in the design, development, management and evaluation of the services.

2         Disability services are to be provided as part of local coordinated service systems and are to be integrated, where it is appropriate and practicable to do so, with services generally available to the community.

3         The providers of disability services are to take the following matters into consideration in determining eligibility for and priority of access to the services and in assessing the needs of a person with a disability who is accorded access to a service:

            (a)         the person's wishes;

            (b)         the level of disability and its impact on the person;

            (c)         the needs and capabilities of any carers;

            (d)         the extent of support and assistance (if any) provided or available to the person from all other sources;

            (e)         the implications of any decision for carers and members of the person's family;

            (f)         such other matters as may be considered relevant.

4         Disability services are to be provided in compliance with all relevant State and Commonwealth laws.