Since its formation in 2003, D4D as it is commonly known, has been widely recognized and accepted as approaching disability advocacy with a modern and fresh approach designed to maximize impact in the media and focus governments, both state and federal, on the extraordinary waiting lists and chronic under funding of the disability sector in South Australia.

In 2005, Disability Minister the Hon. Jay Weatherill described the Dignity for the Disabled campaign as “the best disability advocacy campaign seen in twenty years.”

Dignity for the Disabled has worked hard on a cohesive approach to uniting the disability sector, establishing positive links with established disability organizations and groups to ensure a common approach for maximum impact in raising the profile of the sector. This includes focusing on bridging the traditional philosophical divide between people with disabilities and carer groups that governments have exploited to their advantage and has restricted the political impact of the sector in the past. The old saying that “united we stand and divided we fall” has resulted in massive attendances at Dignity for the Disabled events, including numerous disability forums, marches and meeetings, the 2005 Picnic in the Park, and the 2005 SA disability achievement awards, reflecting the broad acceptance by the disability sector of the need of a united voice.

While a few minority groups within sector have been unable to put their selfish and personal interests aside for the sector common cause, Dignity for the Disabled’s ability to field 14 candidates at the 2006 South Australian state elections, including seven great candidates with disabilities, reflected the philosophy and balanced, cohesive approach that D4D believes is needed for the disability sector to be able to engage the Government, the media and the broader community for the long term benefits of the disability sector.

The SA registered political party “Dignity for the Disabled Inc.” achieved 2.1% of first preference in the ten lower house seats contested, outpolling established parties like the Australian Democrats in five of these ten seats. This was an impressive first election performance.

More importantly, with $126 million of additional disability funding announced by the Government between 2004 and 2006, Dignity for the Disabled had a major impact in lifting community awareness that delivered results.

Dignity for the Disabled is currently working strongly on a number of projects in relation to the 2007 federal, state CSTDA agreement. The media releases the Dignity for the Disabled releases on a regular basis to the over 2000 organizations and people on its database, are estimated to be read by some 20,000 people supporting the disability sector. This includes key federal and state parliamentarians, Disability Ministers and their advisors and other key national disability organizations.

Dignity for the Disabled, as an evolving organization, is determined to see the establishment of a genuine, independent disability council for South Australia. Previous Ministerial advisory councils were unable to comment publicly, beholden to the minister and with the members chosen often for their compliance and agreement with the current government whilst working on projects selected by the minister, have failed to deliver the credibility, public profile and raise public debate that the disabled community in South Australia so desperately needs.
A strong, independent disability council like other public lobby groups including the AMA, the unions, retail and hotel associations, the mining lobby and teacher federations is what the disability sector so desperately needs.

The necessity of the sector to demand and insist on a peak body where members are elected by the disability community and represent all stakeholders in the sector including people with disabilities and carers and not agree to another “Ministerial Advisory Committee” will be a key factor in whether disability issues retain a high public profile and key focus on government agendas or once again become just a talking point amongst people with a disability their families and carers.

Dignity for Disabled would like to thank the thousands of people within and outside the disability sector who have supported D4D over the last four years.

By David Holst (President)

Dignity for Disabled (D4D)  was disbanded in 2007.