Ending Segregated Employment for Persons with Disabilities: The Case for Federal Social Cooperative Legislation in Australia

Increased focus on phasing out the segregated model of employment of persons with disabilities has ignited contentious debate about the ideal model to serve as a replacement. This article outlines the case for a federal legislative framework of social cooperatives which are managed and led by persons with disabilities. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises social cooperatives as a preferable alternative to segregated employment and the development of cooperatives is an express obligation provided by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This article adopts a human rights approach to present the case for social cooperatives, comparing social cooperative legislation from various foreign jurisdictions to determine the most effective features that Australia should adopt.