TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN REPOR T 2021 - 2022
22
Ri s i ng t
o t h e c h a l l en g e
WAVES
The new more accessible Waves Aquatic Centre upgrade includes accessible paths across the site, ramps to all pools, accessible reception desk, inclusive water play design features, dedicated accessible change rooms and lift access from the car park.
TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN REPOR T 2021 - 2022
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 Authorities. 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 D.I.A.P 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 plan would have been reviewed in 2021 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic an extension was granted. The following pages show the progress Council has made towards achieving these actions during 2021-2022.
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.
TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN REPOR T 2021 - 2022
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 Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 has been adopted and an easyread version for people with
disabilities is being developed.
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.
• Council will explore e-learning modules to provide mandatory training to all Managers and to build inclusion and
awareness knowledge amongst all staff.
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.
• Future engagement strategies for key projects will engage with the proposed DIAP reference group.
ongoing
completed on trackKEY
ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND
Equinox Drive Reserve, in Box Hill, was officially opened on Thursday16 December 2021. The Reserve received a $276,631 grant under the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s (DPIE) Everyone Can Play program. The program provides funding to help councils construct more inclusive play spaces.
The new Reserve features an accessible nature themed playground, park furniture and a basketball shooting circle. It also includes a 2.5 metre shared pathway for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as footpaths that are located throughout the site and connect to the broader Box Hill path network.
TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN REPOR T 2021 - 2022
FOCUS AREA 2
Liveable Communities
Action Progress Status Performance
Continue to conduct ongoing reviews and upgrades of community facilities to meet relevant best practice approach in Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 to minimise physical barriers to Council locations and facilities by people with a disability.
• Community facilities receive ongoing reviews, and a suitable number of buildings will receive capital works treatments to improve, and upgrade to Premises Standards to minimise physical barriers for people with
disabilities.
Continue to work with Transport for NSW regarding Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Continue existing DIAP program to ensure compliance with relevant standards for accessible public transport.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Prepare an Open Space Strategy that reflects inclusive and accessible practice.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Prepare tender documents that include references and specific requirements relating to DDA requirements for new and modified Council buildings.
• Completed and reported in 2018-2019 Annual Report.
Identify projects that can
accommodate access upgrades to amenity buildings.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
ongoing
completed on trackKEY
A MORE ACCESSIBLE LIBRARY SERVICE
The brand new Library Caddy was officially launched at Bella Vista Farm on Sunday 3 April 2022.
The new vehicle allows Council’s Library Services to travel to more places around The Hills Shire, which in turn will provide more opportunities for residents to engage with this important and much-loved service.
TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN REPOR T 2021 - 2022
FOCUS AREA 2
Liveable Communities
CONTINUEDAction Progress Status Performance
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.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
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.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Consider facilitation of access and inclusion requirements in planning for community events and education programs.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Update Council’s Shire-Wide Development Control Plan requirements to enable dignified and equitable use by all abilities as part of building design considerations.
• This action was completed and reported in 2018-2019 Annual Report and is regularly reviewed and updated as required.
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.
• This action was completed and reported in 2018-2019 Annual Report and is regularly reviewed and updated as required.
FOCUS AREA 3
Employment
Action Progress Status Performance
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 will continue to explore employment and or volunteering opportunities to maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Provide leadership to business community on how Council creates opportunities for people with disability in workplace participation.
• Economic Development continue to keep businesses informed about the opportunities and requirements for people with disability in the workplace through Council’s Business Help Desk program.
• Additional to our ongoing business support program, Economic Development partnered with the Sydney Hills Business Chamber to deliver an event focused on people and staffing. This event engaged HR/Recruitment/Employment Services providers, creating a forum to discuss ways that the business community can address challenges around staff shortages and particularly highlighting the opportunities and advantages in recruiting people with a disability.
ongoing
completed on trackKEY
TY INCLUSION A CTION PLAN REPOR T 2021 - 2022
FOCUS AREA 4
Systems & Processes
Action Progress Status Performance
Develop and implement a communications and media policy specific to inclusive practices in relation to people with a disability.
• Council’s website system provided by Seamless CMS is built with WCAG 2.0 ‘AA’
accessibility standards in mind to deliver an accessible experience for people with common disabilities. Compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and Seamless have been externally audited by Vision Australia as compliant.
• Examples of recent media include promoting the disability features in the Waves Fitness and Aquatic centre
Ongoing engagement opportunities are provided for people with a disability to contribute to Council’s plans and strategies.
• Recent application for an exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (ADA) to advertise, designate and recruit up to 4 people who self- identify as having an intellectual disability for Library Shelver positions has been granted under section 126 of the ADA for 10 years, expiring on 20 September 2032 was completed to enable people with a disability to contribute in our community.
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.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
Regularly update details of vulnerable services listings (e.g.
The Hills Shire Local Emergency Management Plan) for people with disability and carers to connect with non-disability services, businesses and community sectors.
• Completed and reported in 2020-2021 Annual Report.
THE HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL
3 Columbia Court Norwest NSW 2153
PO Box 7064, Norwest 2153 Ph: +61 2 9843 0555 Fax: +61 2 9843 0409
Website: www.thehills.nsw.gov.au Facebook: TheHillsShireCouncil Twitter: @TheHillsCouncil YouTube: TheHillsShireCouncil Instagram: thesydneyhills
