Social justice is a verb, not just a concept or an ideal. It demands action, engagement, and a commitment to dismantling the barriers that enable inequality. It requires us to actively challenge injustice, speak out against discrimination, and work towards creating a world where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has equal opportunities and access to basic rights.
To actively play a part in social justice, we need to do things that help make the world fair. It means speaking up for change, making sure everyone gets heard, and prevent unfair treatment. We also need to look at our own biases, understand how others feel, and work together to fix things that make some people’s lives harder.
For people with disabilities, social justice action could mean helping them find a job. Employment helps us feel like we contribute to society and that we can fully participate in life. Everyone has a right to apply their skills and ideas in a meaningful way that make them feel like they are contributing equally to the world around them. Having a job can mean an opportunity to achieve life goals in a way that we are free to choose. It might be to be able to live independently, develop new friendships, to gain recognition or feel like they belong through connection to culture and identity.
Getting a job should be about knowing we’re all different, and that we are all cool with that! Each of us has things we’re good at that can be applied in a workplace. It’s important to make sure everyone is treated well and seen for who they are. That’s what social justice is about – making things fair and good for everyone.
For one young person, their Infinity Community Solutions Ltd. (ICS) NDIS Support Coordinator, Kummara Limited and Infinity Community Solutions Ltd. (KICS) Support Worker and their grandmother worked together to ensure they were given equal opportunity for employment when they graduated from high school. This has meant a complex journey for everyone who champions for the young person. Communication and careful planning by all stakeholders including the Department, the NDIS Commission, and providers has meant providing a plan that is carefully crafted to meet the ongoing needs of the young person, inclusive of employment opportunities and continued learning of life skills.
The NDIS Commission aims to uphold the rights of people with disability. The NDIS principles follow Australia’s commitment to the United Nations International Human Rights Law. The principles include the right to be treated with dignity and respect, the right to work and education, the right to equality and to be free from discrimination and the right to make a meaningful contribution to society.
KICS and ICS NDIS Support Coordination has been walking alongside the family for 5 years offering support as needed. Over the time together, the young person has moved from strength to strength, achieving many individual milestones thanks to the championing by the grandmother to ensure the voice of the young person is heard.
At times challenges have presented in various forms, but with social justice on their side, the needs of the young person have been met. From a personal journey about understanding culture and identity, to successfully graduating high school to gaining employment, this young person is kicking goals. For someone with complex disability this has been no easy achievement.
While the pathway has seemed difficult to navigate, the needs according to the young person has been simple. In conversation with the Young Person, it becomes evident that there have been some very simple underlying goals for them. These according to the young person have been to make friends and contribute to community in a kind and meaningful way. The grandmother confirms this in relating a story of a recent journey where the young person learned about country, culture, and community as a First Nations person. The young person was able to share in stories and show respect to an Elder on a long-awaited trip to the Northern Territory. The grandmother recounts the story with pride while the Young Person beamed with happiness over the recollection.
In addition to such achievements, the NDIS, school and the Department have been pivotal in ensuring the young person gains employment and continues to make meaningful contribution to society. Until recently the young person was working four days a week and enjoying interacting with work friends while earning a wage. The young person speaks with enthusiasm of the friendships forged in the workplace, demonstrating the importance of active engagement as a valued employee.
As life presents some major changes for the young person, including relocating to a new state and aging out of the child protection system, they can be ensured that they are supported by a grandmother who continues to actively champion for their rights, even when it all may seem challenging. And while KICS and ICS NDIS is able, we will also continue to walk alongside the family, providing outcomes for life.
Infinity Community Solutions Ltd is motivated to make a difference in the lives of individuals through early intervention, out of home care, and participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
KICS Kinship and Foster Care Service (KICS KFC) is a child and young person centred, whole of family focused out of home care service resting on the foundation practice framework of the Family Partnership Model (FPM). This model provides out of home care support while maintaining a whole of family lens focused on wellbeing, attachment and bonding through case management and the application of family led decision making principles. Our team will work collaboratively with the whole family including parents, grandparents, and extended family, to secure a stable and enduring kinship and foster care placement while it is required.