Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Published on 31 May 2017
Federation Council strongly believes a community that supports and celebrates people of all abilities is a better community for everyone.
Five percent of people living in the Federation local government area identified as having a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops them from working. Of these, 220 people are under 65 years old.
To guide the community and Council in making practical and measurable steps to improving the levels of accessibility and inclusiveness within our community, Federation Council recently completed the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
Developed after months of consultation with local service providers and individuals, the Action Plan provides a road map for Council and the wider community to address identified barriers to make our workplaces, clubs and businesses more inclusive.
“The consultation told us that accessibility in the community was very important to our residents and that more could be done,” said Mike Eden, Administrator.
“It was important to make sure the actions included in the plan were clear and achievable so we, as a community can take active steps to being more inclusive in our day to day social and work lives.”
The most important opportunities for improvement were grouped into four key categories of:
- Positive attitudes and behaviours
- Create Liveable Communities
- Support access to meaningful employment
- Improve Access to Services.
“The plan details ways in which Council can take a lead role in addressing accessibility issues with its own buildings and work practices, but it also identifies ways we can improve awareness about the items of concern and work with local businesses to encourage them do the same,” said Mr Eden.
The establishment of the Federation Access Committee is an example of how Council is making active improvements to how accessibility and creating liveable communities is considered.
The Committee is made up of people with disability, service providers and interested community members to advise Council on the barriers that prevent people with disabilities participating in programs, services and facilities as well as provide input into community developments, master plans and public areas to improve the level of inclusivity.
The Federation Access Committee met for the first time in May to review the draft plan.