Zero Tolerance Zero
Zero Tolerance Zero Tolerance Zero Tolerance is a national initiative to promote human rights and tackle the abuse and neglect of people with disability. We asked James Bannister, Manager – Applied Research Projects at National Disability Services, to tell us what Zero Tolerance is all about, and what we can all be doing. What is the NDS Zero Tolerance initiative? • Zero Tolerance is NDS’s national approach to promoting human rights and preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation experienced by people with disability. • We have been leading Zero Tolerance since 2013. We work with people with disability and families, disability service providers, advocacy organisations, universities and governments to make sure we are listening to people’s real experiences, as well as the academic evidence. What does Zero Tolerance mean? • Put simply, Zero Tolerance means that abuse, neglect and violence experienced by people with disability is never okay. It is a commitment to act on anything that makes someone be or feel unsafe, that restricts human rights, or could be done better to empower people with disability. • Zero Tolerance uses a human rights framework. It sets out clear actions so that the whole organisation – from frontline workers to board members – is focused on the empowerment and safety of people with disability. 16 Independence Australia
Why is NDS doing this work? • Championing the rights of people with disability is one of our core values. As the peak body for disability services, we think one of our jobs is to make it easier for service providers to work in ways that empower people with disability and support people to be safe. Abuse and neglect doesn’t happen here… • The truth is that people with disability can experience abuse, neglect and violence anywhere. People with disability are 1.5 times more likely to experience abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation than people without a disability. (www.who.int/disabilities/violence/en) • Research tells us that organisations which deny the potential for abuse may actually increase risk for people because they don’t recognise the signs. Organisations need to understand the reasons why abuse happens, what it looks like, and then take steps to reduce the risk of abuse. How do we introduce Zero Tolerance in our organisation? • Check out the range of free resources on the NDS website. They include online training programs, workbooks, templates and videos. Use them to check or strengthen your existing policy and training. What does this mean for the NDIS? • A new national quality and safeguards framework will be introduced as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout. By using the Zero Tolerance resources, you will not only create positive, empowering cultures, but you will be well placed to meet legislated quality and safeguard requirements both now and under the NDIS. How long does it take to implement? • Although the resources are short and easy to use, Zero Tolerance is an ongoing commitment to support the rights of people with disability. • Zero Tolerance is not just about preventing abuse, it is about empowering people with disability to lead good lives and improve culture. This means the way we listen to people with disability, the way we talk to and about people with disability, and the way we work with our colleagues. There are always things that we can be doing better, and Zero Tolerance will help you to kick-start the conversation and get the ball rolling. To find out more, contact James Bannister, Manager – Applied Research Projects on 03 8341 4316 or james.bannister@NDS.org.au • To get started, we recommend that all staff complete the Human Rights and You and the Understanding Abuse programs. Each one is easy to use and takes about 40 minutes to complete on a tablet or computer. • Follow up by using the video case studies in team meetings and catchups. Discuss what you have seen and how you might do things better as a team. How can you create more empowering lives for people you support, and make it easier for people to speak up? Inform – Spring 2017 17
