FAQs

A Disability Inclusion Action Plan provides Council with a framework to create a more inclusive and accessible place to live.  Its purpose is to ensure we are supporting people with disability and their carers to be involved fully in community life.  Disability inclusion action planning is a way that local governments can reduce and remove barriers for people with disability and foster a more accessible and inclusive community.

Our Disability Inclusion Action Plan will focus on four areas:

• Attitudes & Behaviours - Promoting positive attitudes and behaviours toward people with disability.
• Liveability - Making improvements to ensure our community is easier to live in and get around.
• Employment Opportunities - Supporting access to meaningful employment opportunities at council and encouraging employers in the Wingecarribee Shire to employ people with disability.
• Systems & Processes - Making sure the information we provide is accessible and easy to understand and that our services are inclusive.

Under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014, all NSW Government Departments and all Local Councils are required to develop a Disability Inclusion Action Plan.  Aside from legislation, we think it is an important way to set out our intentions for an inclusive community, accessible to everyone.

No, our very first Disability Inclusion Action Plan was developed in consultation with the Wingecarribee Shire Community and endorsed by Council in June 2017.

Council is engaging with the community now to develop a new DIAP to ensure we continue to meet the needs of everyone in our community.

We can include action items that are within Council's scope and control, including:

• Council buildings and facilities including Council offices, Council depot, halls, sports grounds, parks and reserves, children's services, library, swimming pools, animal shelter etc.
• Communications and engagement run by Council
• Events and projects run or supported by Council e.g. Events and projects funded by Council community grants program.
• Employment with Council
• Partnership community development projects that aim to fill service provision gaps within the sector
• Identifying what to advocate for, and at what level

We cannot include things that fall outside Council's scope and control, such as:

• Things related to public transport and associated infrastructure e.g. railway stations
• Events organised by private companies
• Workplaces outside Council workplaces
• Organisations outside Council
• Messaging from organisations other than Council
• Parameters around accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Please note: Council may be able to advocate for some of the things.

Disabilities can be very different person to person.  They can be physical, intellectual, a mental illness, or sensory.  They can be temporary, or permanent, and can be there from birth or occur during a person's lifetime.

The Disability Inclusion Act 2014 defines disability as: 'The long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which in interaction with various barriers may hinder the full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.'

Many people who are carers don't see themselves as carers.  They are family members, partners, relatives or friends who care for someone close to them.  You may also be a carer if you are looking after someone with a disability, a medical condition, mental illness or who is frail due to age.

The definition of carer (under the Australian Carer Recognition Act 2010) is someone who gives care and support to a relative or friend who:

• Has a disability
• Has a medical condition (terminal or chronic illness)
• Has a mental illness
• Is frail because they are old (known as frail and aged)

• In 2018 there were 4.4 million Australians with disability, 17.7% of the population
• The prevalence of disability increases with age
• Disability prevalence was similar for males (17.6%) and females (17.8%)
• 5.7% of all Australians had profound or severe disability
• Almost one-quarter (23.2%) of all people with disability reported a mental or behavioural disorder as their main condition

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

• In 2018, there were 2.65 million carers, representing 10.8% of all Australians
• Females were more likely to be carers than males
• 3.5% of all Australians were primary carers
• The most common reason primary carers gave for taking on a caring role was a sense of family responsibility (70.1% of all primary carers)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics