How do I share feedback on the draft plan?

    Feedback and submissions can be made by 4pm Wednesday 7 June 2017 in the following ways:

    A Community Feedback Forum will also be held on Thursday 7 June 2017 between 10.30am and 12.30pm in the Donkin Avenue Theatrette at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre.


    What is a Disability Inclusion Action Plan?

    In 2014 the Disability Inclusion Act was passed that means that all local Councils must have a Disability Inclusion Action Plan prepared by 1 July 2017 which outlines the ways they are working to support inclusion of people with disability.

    Each council needs to determine how to best address the needs of people with disability in their community.

    The plan covers four areas:

    ·  Attitudes and behaviours this is about positive attitudes and behaviours towards people with disability

    ·  Liveable Communities – this is about continuing to make our community easier to access and get involved in

    ·  Employment opportunities – this is about encouraging more employment opportunities for people with disability in our community

    ·  Systems and processes – this is about continuing to improve the way people with disability access information, provide feedback, find services and facilities


    Why does Council need a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan?

    Under the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014 Council is required to develop a Disability Inclusion Action Plan. 

    It is important that the plan is developed in consultation with the whole community and in particular people with disability to guide the decisions about Council services and facilities being inclusive and accessible for everyone.

    The Wingecarribee Shire Council is committed to developing a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for the shire as a way to engage Council and people with a disability, the wider community, service providers, and the private sector in planning for the needs of the whole community.


    Who is the plan for?

    Access and inclusion is important for everyone in the community not just people with disability. People who are ageing, families with prams, people who have a temporary injury in fact the whole community benefits from easy access and being fully included.

    What will the plan do?

    The Plan will identify what Council needs to do to help people with disability feel and be more included in the community, and be able to access the same services, facilities, activities and opportunities as everybody else.


    Who is responsible for the plan?

    The plan will involve all areas of Council.


    How has the community been involved in developing the draft plan?

    The community was offered a number of opportunities to provide information and feedback. We have summarised these below.

    Completing an online survey between Monday 6 February and Friday 3 March 2017.

    Completing a paper copy survey by collecting one from the Civic Centre in Moss Vale or a council library. They could be returned to the same place.

    Contacting Council's Disability Officer, Nicola Robson on 4868 0801 and scheduling a telephone survey.

    Contacting your own Disability Service Provider who also had copies of the survey for you.

    Assistance to complete the survey from these locations was available if required.

    The survey was open from Monday 6 February until Friday 3 March 2017

    The survey took around 10 minutes to complete

    You could also share your ideas:

    Talking to our Disability Officer, Nicola Robson on the phone or in person 

    Tuesday 21 February 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm

    Wednesday 22 February 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm

    Thursday 23 February 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm – Make an appointment

    Tuesday 28 February 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm

    Wednesday 1 March 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm

    Thursday 2 March 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm – Make an appointment

    By writing to Council's Disability Officer, Nicola Robson  P O Box 141, MOSS VALE  2577

    Attending a Service Providers and Stakeholders Workshop  

    Thursday 23 March 2017 10.30am to 12.30pm 

    Theatrette, Civice Centre, Elizabeth Street, MOSS VALE

    When will the plan be finished and implemented?

    Following the community consultation over the past few months, the draft plan will now be placed on public exhibition for review and further comments in May 2017 before being presented to Council for adoption in June 2017. 

    The Disability Inclusion Action Plan implementation will commence from 1 July 2017 and be progressively continued over the next four years until June 2021.


    What will Council do with the information from the survey?

    The information collected from the survey was used to identify the barriers that people with disability experience in accessing council’s services, facilities and activities.

    Will the survey results be made available?

    The survey results will guide Council in developing the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. A summary of the survey results will be included in the Plan but will not be published separately.


    Can anyone contribute to the Disability Inclusion Action Plan?

    Yes. While the focus of the project is on people with disability in the Wingecarribee Shire and what is important to them, all residents, disability service providers and visitors are welcome to contribute their views.  Access and inclusion affects everyone over time, as we age, care for a friend or relative or simply participate in a community with a growing number of people with a disability.

    How are service providers being involved in the project?

    Council is very keen to ensure that that the knowledge, skills and experience of service providers delivering services to people with disability in the Wingecarribee Shire informs the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021

    A workshop was held on Thursday 16 February 2017 to seek service provider views. Service providers will also be asked to contribute information to assist in developing a clear picture of current service provision for people with disability in the Wingecaribbee Shire as part of the project. 

    How will Council fund projects or improvements identified as part of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021?

    The Plan will cover a four year period and will include short, medium and long term approaches to improving the shire for people with a disability. Some of the actions identified will have cost implications and others; for example, improving information available to people with a disability will have minimal costs.

    Actions with cost implications will be considered as part of Council’s regular budget allocation and review process and progressed as resources allow.