Give Grace the tools to take back her power

Even in the very process designed to investigate past failings, the voice of the person was completely lost. We urgently need independent advocacy, writes Joanne Condon

The lesson of Grace’s story and the silence that surrounded her experience is this; when people are not supported to speak, their rights can disappear entirely. File picture

By now, we're all aware of the Farrelly Commission report. We have heard what happened to Grace. We cannot unhear it. 

There has been plenty of commentary on what the report has not done, but what it has done is highlight something that advocates have known for years because of our work. Too often, people with disabilities are still left out of decisions about their own lives and their voices go unheard when it matters most.