A new report has shown Australia is falling behind in meeting the basic rights of people with a disability.
The report, titled Disability Rights Now, showed Australia is lacking in health, education and employment support for disabled Australians.
It was launched by the Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes in Sydney.
The United Nations is for the first time reviewing Australia's compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities. Lesley Hall from the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations says while progress has been made in the last 30 years, it hasn't been enough.
“This report shows the difficulties faced daily by people with disability and shows how far we still need to come to achieve genuine equality for all Australians,” Ms Hall said. Rosemary Kayess, from the Australian Human Rights Centre, said Australians who experience disability are made to feel like second-class citizens.
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“The majority of people with disability are experiencing isolation and loneliness, living in fear of violence or exploitation, or are unemployed and living below the poverty line,” she said.
The report comes as the Paralympic Games kick off in London, with thirty-six Australian athletes set to compete.
For those who just missed out on qualifying, the games are particularly significant.
Keegan Oh-chee is a nineteen year wheelchair sports player. He's represented Australia in international wheelchair basketball and tennis competitions.
He missed out on the London games by 9 world-ranking spots, but says he has Rio in his sights. “It was tough to deal with but that's the way it is. I'm still young and Rio is definitely in my sights.” said Keegan.
He says despite the early starts he's looking forward to keeping track of the games.
Mr Oh-chee, who has been in a wheelchair since birth, said he felt that rights for disabled people were always improving but there was still a long way to go.
“Wheelchair sport is getting more recognition and more coverage which is making people talk about it more,” he said.
“But it does lack the big sponsorship deals and I think there is an unfair distribution in money from the government and private enterprises because they see able-bodied sport as more marketable.”
With his positive outlook on life and his passion for sport Mr Oh-chee thinks the Paralympics is helping rid the stigma attached to wheelchair sport.
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