Minister's Foreword

I have great pleasure in presenting the Victorian Government's State Disability Plan 2002–2012.

The State Disability Plan outlines this Government’s vision for the future and some strategies for realising this vision.

The State Disability Plan has been developed in a spirit that reflects our goals - a spirit of partnership, inclusion and participation across government and across the community.

The Plan reflects the important issues that people with a disability, their parents, families and carers have identified as their priorities.

The Victorian Government has commenced work to address many of these issues through increasing funding for disability supports by 34% over the last three years.

We have also seen the benefits for people with a disability through improvements that have occurred with the introduction of more accessible public transport and additional resources for the inclusion of children with a disability in preschools.

Our commitment to inclusive communities is occurring through the redevelopment of Kew Residential Services and the introduction of community building and access projects that promote the inclusion and participation of people with a disability in their local communities.

Real success in achieving the goals outlined in the State Disability Plan requires that we work together with communities - mobilising the resources and efforts of governments, communities and of all Victorians.

A hallmark of this State Disability Plan is its whole-of-government approach. Over the next decade, Government departments will be strengthening working partnerships with people with a disability, parents, families and carers, support providers, local governments and local communities to build a Victoria that works together to fulfil the aspirations of people with a disability.

As we move forward, we will learn new ways of working and we will see new results and build on these strengths.
I commend the State Disability Plan to you and I look forward to working with you as we put the strategies outlined in this Plan into action.

Hon Bronwyn Pike MP
Minister for Community Services and Housing

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