DISABILITY INCLUSION

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The Hills Shire Council Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 1

ABILI TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN 20 1 7 - 2021

DISABILITY INCLUSION

ACTION REPORT

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LIVVI’S PLACE

An all abilities playspace has been provided at Bernie Mullane Reserve. The design of Livvi’s Place was developed in consultation with local children, people with disabilities and their families, carers and local schools.

The area boasts a number of interactive spaces, including a large water play area, a balance beam walk, swings, a sensory planting area, musical play walk, picnic and barbecue area, climbing ropes and so much more. This play space allows children, irrespective of their age or their abilities, to play side-by-side, while making new friends in the process.

Council worked closely with the Touched by Olivia Foundation on consultation around design considerations.

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ABILI TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN 20 1 7 - 2021

Introduction

The NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (DIA) mandates the development of Disability Inclusion Action Plans (D.I.A.P) by individual State Government agencies and by Local Government. It builds on existing social equity requirements within the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework to strengthen Local Government commitment to inclusion, consultation and rights for people with disability. The Plan is a way for Council to work towards a fully inclusive community that can benefit from the services and facilities Council provides.

THE HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL’S DISABILITY INCLUSION ACTION PLAN 2017-2021

The Hills Shire D.I.A.P 2017-2021 reflects the Disability Principles set out in the Disability Inclusion Act. The Plan was developed in consultation with our community, with an emphasis on engaging with people with disability. The actions will help guide our decisions and inform our processes to ensure the services and facilities Council provides are as accessible to and appropriate for all people, including those with a disability, as can reasonably be achieved.

The following pages show the progress Council has made towards achieving these actions during 2018-19.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY The Community Engagement Strategy outlines our plan for informative, inclusive and participative community consultation. Our principles of

community engagement are based on social justice principles: equity, access, participation and rights.

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ABILI TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN 20 1 7 - 2021

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FOCUS AREA 1

Attitudes & Behaviour

Action Progress Status Performance

Council’s publications and communications reflect positive portrayals of people with a disability to increase awareness of the contribution of people with a disability to our community.

• The Hills Focus community magazine contains information for people of all abilities, and disability specific topics are communicated via Council’s print, media and social media outlets.

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Explore training modules to provide mandatory training to all manager on disability inclusion awareness to increase knowledge of ways to improve business service accessibility and inclusion.

• This training will be taken into consideration when conducting the Training Needs Analysis for the next financial year. Relevant stakeholders will be identified and training delivered as required.

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Include guidelines and strategies in Council’s community engagement practices for inclusive engagement practices to ensure Council’s Community Engagement processes provide

opportunity for participation by people with a disability.

• Community engagement practices ensure opportunities for participation by people with a disability.

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REFRESHED DURAL LIBRARY

Council has refurbished this much-loved local library with acessibility in mind to meet our community’s needs.

The scope of work included updating the reading and learning spaces, laying down new carpet, as well as adding in new shelving and contemporary blinds.

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ABILI TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN 20 1 7 - 2021

FOCUS AREA 2

Liveable Communities

Continue to conduct ongoing reviews and upgrades of community facilities to meet relevant best practice approach in Access to Premises

Standards to minimise physical barriers re access to Council locations and facilities by people with a disability.

• This is a ongoing strategic process.

Community facilities are inspected annually as part of the asset assessment strategy to determine what works are required over the four year Capital Works Program.

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Continue to work with Transport for NSW regarding Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

• Disability access provided on an ongoing basis for all new bus stops endorsed by the Local Traffic Committee and approved by Council.

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Continue existing DIAP program to ensure compliance with relevant standards for accessible public transport.

• Work continues on an ongoing basis to ensure accessible public transport standards are complied with.

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Prepare an Open Space Strategy that reflects inclusive and accessible practice.

• Recreation strategy has been completed and includes recognises need to ensure that facilities reflect inclusive and accessible practice.

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Prepare tender documents that include references and specific requirements relating to DDA requirements for new and modified Council buildings.

• DDA requirements are required to be satisfied in keeping with the National Building Construction Code Standards for new and modified Council buildings.

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Identify projects that can accommodate access upgrades to amenity buildings.

• This is a ongoing strategic process.

• Community facilities are inspected annually as part of the asset assessment strategy to determine what works are required over the four year Capital Works Program.

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Provide library resources in a range of accessible formats for promotion of participation opportunities for people with a disability as members, participants and contributors in library programs.

• Dural Library re designed and refurbished with accessibility in mind.

Wide aisles to accommodate wheelchair access and furniture and fittings to accommodate customers with physical disability.

• ‘Any Ability’ activity kits designed for use within the Libraries for adults with learning difficulties.

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ABILI TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN 20 1 7 - 2021

FOCUS AREA 2

Liveable Communities

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Identify opportunities to link HCC clients to Council events and programs - increase participation and awareness of promotion of participation opportunities for people with a disability as members, participants and contributors in community events.

• The HCC volunteer development officer position has been filled, effective 1 July 2019, and is working with the THSC Community Services Team to develop this initiative.

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Consider facilitation of access and inclusion requirements in planning for community events and education programs.

• Initial discussion with community organisations regarding making the

“The Mayor’s Christmas parties” more inclusive

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Update Council’s Shire- Wide Development Control Plan requirements to enable dignified and equitable use by all abilities as part of building design considerations.

• On 30 April 2019, Council adopted amendments to The Hills Development Control Plan to include new controls relating to access and mobility. These controls respond to the requirements of The Hills Disability Inclusion Action Plan. The DCP amendments took effect on 21 May 2019.

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Develop and implement a policy regarding change in use, alterations and additions to enable dignified and equitable use by all abilities as part of building design considerations.

• New DCP provisions adopted by Council 30/4/2019 and in force from 21/5/2019.

• New Controls relating to access and mobility respond to the requirements of The Hills Disability Inclusion Action Plan and now form part of the DA assessment process in addition to the relevant provisions of the National Construction Code and the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards and Australian Standard AS1428.1.

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FOCUS AREA 3

Employment

Continue to employ and maintain a diverse workforce by incorporating inclusion in strategic workforce planning including work experience, supported employment programs and volunteering opportunities.

• Council’s Recruitment Guidelines incorporate the needs of a diverse workforce and these are considered in all processes and programs related to recruitment and future plans for workforce requirements.

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Provide leadership to business community on how Council creates opportunities for people with disability in workplace participation.

• Council’s business engagement program offers information and encouragement about ways people with a disability can participate in the workforce, through data sharing, referrals and consultation.

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ABILI TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN 20 1 7 - 2021

FOCUS AREA 4

Systems & Processes

Develop and implement a communications and media policy specific to inclusive practices in relation to people with a disability.

• Council’s communications and marketing strategies are designed to include promotion of inclusive practices for people with a disability.

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Ongoing engagement opportunities are provided for people with a disability to contribute to Council’s plans and strategies.

• Council’s plans and strategies include opportunities for people with a disability to contribute, engage and make comment.

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Regularly review the community information directory resources and the method of presentation to ensure information is accessible & up to date for people with disability & carers to connect with non-disability services, businesses &

community sectors.

• Hills disability forum re-established,

meeting was held in June 2019.

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Regularly update details of vulnerable services listings (e.g.

The Hills Shire Emplan) for people with disability and carers to connect with non-disability services, businesses and community sectors.

• Council’s EMPLAN (State Emergency Management Plan) regularly updated to include details of vulnerable communities and facilities.

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