Community input sought for inclusion plan

Community input sought for inclusion plan

Community members are being asked their opinion on The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-24 – the first of its kind for the Mount Gambier City Council.

The draft plan, which was endorsed by elected members, outlines how council proposes to provide equal access to services for all members of the community, regardless of ability.

Twelve priorities have been identified under four themes – inclusive communities for all, leadership and collaboration, accessible communities, learning and employment in line with the Inclusive SA: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-23.

Council’s Community Wellbeing General Manager Barbara Cernovskis said the plan had been developed in consultation with stakeholders and groups that connected with and supported people with disability living in the community, including Mission Australia’s Limestone Coast Inclusion Reference Group and local aged care and disability care provider Boandik Lodge.

“People living with disability within our community may have difficulties using our footpaths and ramps, accessing our public buildings, amenities and parks, accessing and reading information including on our website or hearing at a public meeting or at a customer service counter,” Ms Cernovskis said.

“Council is committed to the continuous review and development of information, services and facilities to ensure equitable access and inclusion in our city.”

Proposed action items for the council to deliver over the four-year period include ensuring community events meet diverse access needs, collaborating with local organisations to deliver training about disability, access and inclusion and developing a policy that ensures planned community consultations to enable people of all abilities to respond.

“The plan suggests council provide information in multiple formats which could include Easyread, Auslan, pictorial forms, large font, audible options, Braille, captions, VoiceOver and dyslexia-friendly fonts,” Ms Cernovskis said.

Mission Australia Community Engagement Facilitator Belinda Anderson said the plan was a great opportunity to enhance accessibility and inclusion in the community and would help ensure people with disability could experience and connect within the community as fully as possible.

“By offering more opportunities for community access and connection, this will help increase the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of people with disability in our community,” Ms Anderson said.

“For example, we have suggested that if council created and maintained an ‘accessible event’ checklist that people can refer to when organising and promoting a community event, this would go a long way towards making community events more inclusive and considerate of diverse access needs of people living in our community.”

Boandik CEO Gillian McGinty suggested council could encourage people living with a disability to be more involved in the community by giving careful consideration to the types of equipment people use.

“To ensure accessibility for all people, think about the requirements of those who use large wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Also, consider colour schemes that create contrast, nor mono-chrome colours blending into each other, particularly if there is a change in surface,” she said.

The proposed plan will become a living document that will be reviewed and updated as community needs change.

Visit www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/daip to view the plan.

Community feedback can be made until October 9.

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