Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood and people with cerebral palsy experience significant barriers in everyday life.
Complex and lifelong physical, medical, educational and social needs associated with cerebral palsy remain unmet. Furthermore, relative to the condition’s prevalence, cerebral palsy remains under-recognised both at a societal level and within the political arena.
As such, a targeted Australian and New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy has been developed. The Australian and New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy reflects a united voice informed by people with cerebral palsy, their families, professionals and researchers across Australia and New Zealand.
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With an overarching goal of improving quality of life, the strategy is comprised of 4 key goal areas:
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- Inclusion and Engagement
- Health and Well-being
- Intervention and Disability Support
- Prevention and Cures
Under each goal are a range of short-term, medium-term and long-term priority objectives. Success indicators provide benchmarks with which to measure success towards meeting the Strategy’s priority objectives over the 5 year review period.
The Strategy establishes a pressing need for action, is a first step in the development of action plans across its priority areas and paves the way for a campaign to achieve its mission and vision. Meeting the success indicators of The Strategy will not only benefit people with cerebral palsy, their families and supporters, but is expected to lead to improved economic and social outcomes for Australia and New Zealand.
Following the launch of The Strategy in March 2020, The Collaboration, who is the core group of individuals responsible for overseeing implementation and stewardship of The Strategy, is now focused on making progress towards the goals and objectives identified in The Strategy.
The members of The Collaboration undertook a prioritisation activity to select four Success Indicators as The Collaboration’s initial areas of focus. These Success Indicators represent ambitious objectives that The Collaboration believe can be best achieved by working cooperatively, drawing on the strengths and experiences of a diverse team. The currently prioritised indicators include:
| Success Indicator | Goal area | Working group lead/s and contact |
| Increase in funding and access to targeted active surveillance and treatment of health and well-being-related needs associated with cerebral palsy across the life span. | Health and Well-being | Bronte Halligan (Bronte.Halligan@cerebralpalsyaustralia.com) |
| Increase in community understanding of cerebral palsy and how to communicate with people with complex communication needs. | Inclusion and Engagement | Amy Hogan (amy@cpsociety.org.nz) and
Shirls Wong (shirls.w@hotmail.com) |
| Earlier diagnosis of children with cerebral palsy before 12-months of age (from 52% to 70% diagnosed before 12-months). | Prevention and Cures | Angelica Allermo-Fletcher (Angelica.AllermoFletcher@ccdhb.org.nz) and
Nadia Badawi (nadia.badawi@health.nsw.gov.au) |
| Establishment of a recognised working relationship between The Strategy Collaboration/Expert Panel and NDIA, IF/EIF and the Disability Support System Transformation. | Intervention and Disability Support | Andrew Rowley (andrew.rowley@abilityfirst.org.au) and
Rob White (RWhite@cerebralpalsy.org.au) |
Working groups have been formed for each of these Success Indicators, and working group lead/s have been nominated. Each group will now devise a plan to make progress towards these goals. If you are interested in being involved in any of these Success Indicator working groups, please contact the indicated group lead, or alternatively contact info@cerebralpalsystrategy.com.au
