Disability Crossroads: The Way to Bigger, Safer Lives for People With a Disability

Ron blends a unique mix of knowledge from 30 years' work across the disability sector, with multiple scholarly disciplines. His achievements in service improvement are remarkable in scale and diversity. He has assisted many people with a disability to enjoy bigger, safer lives. Ron worked as senior service manager, public guardian, researcher, and investigator. His innovations in resolving complex complaints revolutionized complaints response practice. As a coach, trainer, and thought leader, Ron assists executive leaders and teams. Ron's deep compassion, sharp insights and wonderful creative skills deliver many practical ways for us to create value. Major reforms to the Australian disability sector provided significant benefits to many. Yet a decade after the reforms were introduced, Australia has a support system that is seriously at risk. Calls have been made to "restore confidence" (in the system) and to address the "rage" within the sector. This book is a reference source for those who seek positive change. Many strategies are offered that also have application in other sectors and other countries. Three areas of change include a new way for families and service providers to work together, an approach to addressing systemic failure to protect vulnerable people, and strategies for working through disputes to reach agreements. Ron's approach is entirely informed by the experiences and stories of people with a disability, their families, and service providers. Listening to the voices from all sides, Ron gives us proven and practical ways to work together through engagement-based cooperative effort.