About Disability Rights
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 protects individuals across Australia from direct and indirect discrimination in many parts of public life, such as employment, education and access to premises.
The Act makes harassment on the basis of disability against the law. It also protects friends, relatives and others from discrimination because of their connection to someone with a disability.
A plain language Guide to the Disability Discrimination Act is available on this page, along with frequently asked questions about the Act and an overview of complaint outcomes.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission works to remove barriers to equality by conducting public inquiries, negotiating disability standards and guidelines for improved access and assisting organisations to develop Action Plans to meet their responsibilities.
The Commission is also responsible for assessing applications for temporary exemptions under the Act.
Recent inquiry and policy work has focused on issues including employment, education, transport, access to premises and mental health. Our A-Z index of resources provides information about disability issues in relation to many areas of public life.
Graeme Innes AM is the Commissioner responsible for disability discrimination. He was appointed to the position in 2005.
The Commissioner leads the Commission's disability rights policy work and builds community awareness about disability rights by giving speeches, promoting issues in the media and publishing a regular newsletter.
He also participated in the development of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the United Nations opened for signature on 30 March 2007.