For a start, there’s the focus on someone being "dis"-abled, a word that somehow conjures up a feeling that this person is something less than.

In addition, we talk about sufferers, those who are ill, and the constant, 24/7 care such people might need.

There have been moves to change this discourse – we now focus on language such as living with a disability, and have left behind words like 'victim', or 'sufferer', when describing someone who was born as such. 

This week, The Examiner visited Wonderland Retreat, a disability respite service that caters for young people. Wonderland Retreat offers a home away from home environment that focuses on the abilities of such young people and teaches them life skills such as cooking and cleaning.

The focus of Wonderland Retreat is to give back some semblance of independence to people who might need a little bit of help – but they can learn to become somewhat independent.

The lessons being taught there might seem trivial, or might be seen as common sense, but they are vitally important for this cohort of people.

While it is understandable that not all people who live with a disability will be able to become independent, and, it’s likely that most will need some care in their lives, learning these skills could become a life-changer.

Wonderland Retreat is accessible for those funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but it is becoming apparent that there are a number of people who don’t fall under that scheme and don’t get help.

A recent Productivity Commission report released this week advocated for a national framework, a system that will support all people who are living with a disability.

Such a framework would allow the people at Wonderland Retreat to expand their offering and reach out to even more people.

And that can only be a good thing. For those who live with a disability and their families and carers.