Wyndham's new Accessibility Action Plan (AAP) seeks to increase the access, inclusion and equitable participation of people with disability within Council and the greater community.  The Action Plan is named an 'Accessibility' Action Plan as it seeks to remove barriers to participation, promote inclusion and achieve real changes in attitudes and practices that impact on people with disability.

Access and inclusion is about providing people with disability the same opportunity to enter or use community services, premises and facilities and to participate and be included in the community on an equal basis with others.

The AAP sets out the strategies and actions that Council will undertake to improve access and inclusion of people with disability. Its development has focussed on the whole organisation, and on strategically making access and inclusion a ‘business as usual’ approach.

The Plan has been the subject of significant community and organisational consultation during its development and takes into account feedback received during the public exhibition period.

The AAP is for a three-year period and sets out the strategies and actions that Council will undertake to improve the access and inclusion of people with disability.

Its vision is that: People with disability, their families and/or carers experience in all aspects of their daily lives the same dignity, respect and access to opportunities and services as everyone else

The plan is built on two sets of distinct but highly interrelated goals.  The first set of goals relates to the aims of the Disability Action Plan as specified under the Disability Act 2006:

1.      To reduce barriers to persons with disability accessing goods, services and facilities.

2.      To reduce barriers to persons with disability obtaining and maintaining employment.

3.      To promote inclusion and participation in the community of persons with disability.

4.      To achieve tangible changes in attitudes and practices which discriminate against persons with disability.

The second set of goals have emerged during the development of the AAP, including the results of consultation and engagement, and relate specifically to Wyndham’s current context. These are:

  1. To ensure Wyndham City Council has a lens of access and inclusion of people with disability as a 'business as usual approach'
  2. To improve the disability confidence of Wyndham City
  3. To improve Wyndham City's engagement and participation of people with disability in the community
  4. Encourage contribution and leadership from community members with disability
  5. To support the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Wyndham.
    Aims and actions are organised by the themes of the Wyndham 2040 and the City Plan, and the strategic priorities that define these. Timeframes and lead departments are specified for each. 
    The defined actions encompass the breadth and complexity of Council business, with a focus on both organisational and community change.
     

    The impact of the NDIS roll out on Wyndham has been considered as part of the project development and has been reflected in the goals and actions of the AAP.  

    For further information contact Tiffany Ledovski, Disability and Positive Ageing Planner on 1300 023 411 or Tiffany.Ledovski@wyndham.vic.gov.au        

                                                                                                                                              

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