PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA SUNDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1981
ELECTORATE TALK
On a visit to South Australia at the weekend I was privileged
to open a new swimmning pool for the handicapped at Minda Homes
in Adelaide. This pool will both serve therapeutic purposes
) and provide an avenue for recreation. The opportunities
for rehabilitation offered by the Minda swimming pool are
an example of the contribution being made throughout Australia
by indivi'duals, voluntary agencies, organisations and
governments in an effort to assist handicapped and disabled
Australians to realise their fullest potential in this, the
International Year of Disabled Persons.
The Government has played a substantial part in encouraging
and supporting these intiatives, for the Government's Liberal
philosophy is one of concern for the well-being and fullest
development of all people in our society. Commonwealth
Government financial support for disabled and handicapped
persons amounts to $ 1.1 billion this financial year. Even
though governments and the community are doing much more than
was the case, there are'still unfulfilled needs, and
much yet remains to be done.
However, the 39% real increase in expenditure that has taken
place since the 1975 Labor Budget illustrates the real and
sympathetic commitment of this Government -to the well-being
of handicapped and disabled persons. A wide range of programmnes
are being funded by the Government, including invalid pensions,
sheltered employment allowances, handicapped children's
benefits, subsidies to non-profit organisations and local
government bodies which provide facilities for physically
and intellectually handicapped people, ' and assistance for the
production and publication of Braille and audio books for the
print handicapped.%
The International Year for Disabled Persons is not just a
" one-off" exercise. Its impact will be of more lasting value
in helping to achieve greater understanding and more -practical
responses to the needs of handicapped people, and so far as
the Government is concerned, our commitment to the cause of
disabled persons will be a continuing one. ./ 2 % Z
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There is growing support for less paternalistic or protective
services, so that disabled people will have a greater
measure of control over their own lives, and more freedom
to pursue their own lives and interests in surroundings
as normal as possible. I am confident that this progressive
and responsible view will increasingly prevail from now on
and while further consolidation will be needed, I see this
as a major achievement of the International Year for
Disabled Persons.
The Government shares the view which is growing in the
community that disabled people should be encouraged to develop
their capacities to the fullest extent, that they should be
enabled wherever possible and desirable, to live by themselves,
or with their families, and to use community facilities as
do the rest of us. Today, there is a widespread desire to
) see disabled people being encouraged to accept the challenges
of everyday living to the fullest extent of their abilities.
To enjoy a meaningful home life and participate in all
social, Greative or recreational activities is a right to
which all people are entitled.
I believe that when a disabled person is prepared to live
independently and wants to do so, that ought to be encouraged.
The community must be prepared to meet each case on an
individual basis for without this response, the theme of
the International Year for Disabled Persons " full participation
and equality" will remain unfulfilled. 00o---