"We Asked. People Told Us. Here’s What Needs to Change."
- Mark Mason
- Jul 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 9
When governments talk about inclusion, they often start with policies, frameworks, and plans.
We started somewhere else.
We started with people.
As part of our submission to Tasmania’s Disability Inclusion Plan, Speak Out Advocacy sat down with around 50 people with intellectual disability across Burnie, Launceston and Hobart.
We listened.
And what we heard was clear, consistent and at times, confronting.
“They talk in a way that is hard to understand”
One of the strongest messages came from people’s experiences with the criminal justice system.
People told us:
Police don’t always explain rights clearly
Jargon makes people feel pressured to agree
Support people are not always offered
One person said:
“When you’re scared, of course you’re going to agree.”
That’s not justice. That’s a system failing to communicate.
Education: “Stop treating us differently”
At school and in adult learning, people shared a common experience:
They were treated differently—not supported differently.
Teachers lowered expectations
Courses were inaccessible
Online systems shut people out
And critically:
“It was the teacher who treated me differently.”
Across every topic, one theme dominated:
People want information they can actually understand
That means:
Easy Read
Plain language
Time to process information
No jargon
One person said:
“I don’t always want to rely on support… it’s my right to information in a way that suits me.”
That’s not a preference. That’s a human right.
Trust, Safety and AI
Interestingly—and this is something policymakers need to take seriously—people raised concerns about AI.
“It’s hard to know what’s true anymore.”“Humans not AI.”
Trust matters.
And right now, people trust advocates—not systems, not technology.
Health: “Doctors need to tell us what’s happening”
In health services, people described:
Feeling rushed
Not understanding what doctors were saying
Anxiety before appointments even begin
The fix isn’t complicated: Slow down. Explain. Check understanding.
When this happens, people are far more likely to follow advice and feel respected.
Transport, Housing and Everyday Life
In daily life, the barriers are constant:
Unsafe public transport
Inaccessible timetables
Housing that feels unsafe or segregated
Long waitlists and lack of choice
One message stood out:Inclusion doesn’t happen in policy—it happens in everyday life.
Employment: “We can work—give us a chance”
People want jobs. Real jobs.
But they face:
Low expectations
Discrimination
Poor support from employment services
And a strong message to government:Back businesses that employ people with disability.
What Actually Works
Amid all the challenges, one thing came through strongly: Advocacy works.
People told us:
Advocates help them understand
Advocates don’t pressure decisions
Advocates make systems safer
“An advocate is always my first stop.”
The Bottom Line
This submission isn’t just feedback.
It’s a roadmap.
People with intellectual disability are not asking for special treatment.
They are asking for:
Respect
Clear communication
Real inclusion
The ability to make their own decisions
And most importantly: To be heard—and to see their voice reflected in change.
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