An introduction to the requirements for Disability Access and Inclusion Plans DAIPs For elected members of Local Gover

1. An introduction to the requirements forDisability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs)For elected members of Local Governments This resource provides some introductory information regarding people with disabilities in Western Australia and the legislative requirements of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans for local government elected members. There is an information brochure which compliments this presentation. People with disabilities, their families and carers have the same rights as other people to access services within the community. These rights are built into State and Commonwealth legislation which makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with a disability.This resource provides some introductory information regarding people with disabilities in Western Australia and the legislative requirements of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans for local government elected members. There is an information brochure which compliments this presentation. People with disabilities, their families and carers have the same rights as other people to access services within the community. These rights are built into State and Commonwealth legislation which makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with a disability.

2. Disability Services Commission 2 Impact of disability in WA 97% of people with a disability live in the community. 74.2% of PWD need some assistance. It is estimated by 2026 there will 615,500 people with a disability. People with disabilities comprise 20.6 per cent of the population (405,500 people) in Western Australia (1). Although a disability restricts the person’s ability to participate, 97 per cent of people with a disability live in the community. More than 74.2 per cent of people with disabilities (300,900 people) need assistance with self-care, mobility or communication. 12.6 per cent of the population provide direct care to a person with a disability (1). The likelihood of a disability increases with age. Approximately 51 per cent of people over the age of 60 report having a disability. It is estimated that 24 per cent of the projected population (615,500 people) will have a disability by 2026 due to the ageing of the population (2). (1) Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) Disability, Ageing and Carers Australia: Summary of Findings—State Tables for Western Australia. 2003. (2) DSC calculation from: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) Disability, Ageing and Carers Australia: Summary of Findings—State Tables for Western Australia. 2003. People with disabilities comprise 20.6 per cent of the population (405,500 people) in Western Australia (1). Although a disability restricts the person’s ability to participate, 97 per cent of people with a disability live in the community. More than 74.2 per cent of people with disabilities (300,900 people) need assistance with self-care, mobility or communication. 12.6 per cent of the population provide direct care to a person with a disability (1). The likelihood of a disability increases with age. Approximately 51 per cent of people over the age of 60 report having a disability. It is estimated that 24 per cent of the projected population (615,500 people) will have a disability by 2026 due to the ageing of the population (2). (1) Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) Disability, Ageing and Carers Australia: Summary of Findings—State Tables for Western Australia. 2003. (2) DSC calculation from: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2004) Disability, Ageing and Carers Australia: Summary of Findings—State Tables for Western Australia. 2003.

3. Disability Services Commission 3 Disability A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. Disabilities can substantially reduce abilities required for day-to-day living. Some people have multiple disabilities. Some disabilities are hidden, while others may be visible. A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. Disabilities can result in a person having a reduced capacity for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and may require continuing support in daily life activities. A disability is usually permanent but may be episodic. Some disabilities are hidden, while others may be visible. Some people have multiple disabilities. Disabilities can affect: the senses, for example, vision and/or hearing: the ability to control movements; mobility and ability to use upper and/or lower body; judgment, ability to learn, thought processes, personality, behaviour or memory; and ability to communicate. A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. Disabilities can result in a person having a reduced capacity for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and may require continuing support in daily life activities. A disability is usually permanent but may be episodic. Some disabilities are hidden, while others may be visible. Some people have multiple disabilities. Disabilities can affect: the senses, for example, vision and/or hearing: the ability to control movements; mobility and ability to use upper and/or lower body; judgment, ability to learn, thought processes, personality, behaviour or memory; and ability to communicate.

4. Disability Services Commission 4 Access and barriers to access Access and inclusion is about providing equal opportunities to all. People with disabilities can experience difficulty in everyday activities. A disability can have a major impact on the person’s life. Access and inclusion is providing the same opportunity to people with disabilities as is given to people without disabilities. For example to enter or use community services, premises and facilities and to participate and be included in the community. People with disabilities face barriers with everyday activities. For example people who are deaf may have difficulties communicating, people with a visual problem may have difficulties reading information and people using wheelchairs may have difficulties accessing public buildings. The impact of these restrictions on the lives of people with disabilities can be significant, particularly if the person has multiple disabilities. Access and inclusion is providing the same opportunity to people with disabilities as is given to people without disabilities. For example to enter or use community services, premises and facilities and to participate and be included in the community. People with disabilities face barriers with everyday activities. For example people who are deaf may have difficulties communicating, people with a visual problem may have difficulties reading information and people using wheelchairs may have difficulties accessing public buildings. The impact of these restrictions on the lives of people with disabilities can be significant, particularly if the person has multiple disabilities.

5. Disability Services Commission 5 Benefits of access and inclusion People with disabilities will benefit from improved access to services and facilities. Improved access will also benefit seniors and parents with prams. The community benefits from increased social and financial participation all members of the community. The benefits of greater access and inclusion means that people with disabilities will have increased opportunity: to use services and access public premises and facilities; to participate in the community; for employment and education; and for increased independence. Increased access and inclusion will also benefit others including all community members such as seniors (who may have mobility, hearing and visual difficulties), parents with prams and bike users (access to footpaths and ramps) and the community also benefits from the increased social. Local Governments play a vital role in providing access and inclusion because: they are multi-functional, with extensive responsibilities and activities across property, community and human service areas; and all of these functions directly or indirectly impact on the lives of the people with disabilities who live, work and socialise in their local communities. The benefits of greater access and inclusion means that people with disabilities will have increased opportunity: to use services and access public premises and facilities; to participate in the community; for employment and education; and for increased independence. Increased access and inclusion will also benefit others including all community members such as seniors (who may have mobility, hearing and visual difficulties), parents with prams and bike users (access to footpaths and ramps) and the community also benefits from the increased social. Local Governments play a vital role in providing access and inclusion because: they are multi-functional, with extensive responsibilities and activities across property, community and human service areas; and all of these functions directly or indirectly impact on the lives of the people with disabilities who live, work and socialise in their local communities.

6. Disability Services Commission 6 Legislative requirements Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act (1984) (amended 1988) Western Australia Disability Services Act (1993)(amended 2004) Building Codes of Australia Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1992) – makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of disability and provides for the setting of standards in the areas of premises, education, transport and accommodation. Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act – the Act was amended in 1988 to include people with disabilities and similarly to the DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of disability. Western Australian Disability Services Act 1993 (amended 2004) - requires public authorities to plan to ensure their services are accessible and that people with disabilities are able to participate fully in the community. Under the Act local governments are to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). Building Codes of Australia - provides standards for access to buildings and facilities. Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1992) – makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of disability and provides for the setting of standards in the areas of premises, education, transport and accommodation. Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act – the Act was amended in 1988 to include people with disabilities and similarly to the DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of disability. Western Australian Disability Services Act 1993 (amended 2004) - requires public authorities to plan to ensure their services are accessible and that people with disabilities are able to participate fully in the community. Under the Act local governments are to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). Building Codes of Australia - provides standards for access to buildings and facilities.

7. Disability Services Commission 7 DAIP requirements Address six desired outcomes Lodge with Disability Services Commission Meet reporting requirements Review every five years Staff, officers, agents and contractors to conduct business consistent with the LG’s DAIP Consultation with people with disabilities in the development Promotion of the DAIP The Western Australian Disability Services Act (1993)(amended 2004), requires Local Governments to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) to provide access and inclusion to services, buildings, facilities, events, information, grievance procedures, consultation and staff awareness. Each Local Government is required to: address the six desired outcomes; lodge the DAIP with the Disability Services Commission; submit a report on the progress of the outcomes to the Commission which then reports this information to the Minister of Disability Services; inform its community about the implementation of the DAIP in its annual report; review DAIP at least every five years; ensure staff, officers, agents and contractors comply with it’s DAIP; consult with people with disabilities in the development of the DAIP; promote the DAIP by posting a notice on it’s website and publicise the in the local newspaper and / or in the Local Governments newsletter; and report to the Commission every time the DAIP is reviewed or amended. The Western Australian Disability Services Act (1993)(amended 2004), requires Local Governments to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) to provide access and inclusion to services, buildings, facilities, events, information, grievance procedures, consultation and staff awareness. Each Local Government is required to: address the six desired outcomes; lodge the DAIP with the Disability Services Commission; submit a report on the progress of the outcomes to the Commission which then reports this information to the Minister of Disability Services; inform its community about the implementation of the DAIP in its annual report; review DAIP at least every five years; ensure staff, officers, agents and contractors comply with it’s DAIP; consult with people with disabilities in the development of the DAIP; promote the DAIP by posting a notice on it’s website and publicise the in the local newspaper and / or in the Local Governments newsletter; and report to the Commission every time the DAIP is reviewed or amended.

8. Disability Services Commission 8 Six outcomes areas Access to services and events Access to buildings and facilities Information in alternative formats Staff awareness Opportunities to make complaints Participation in public consultation When developing a DAIP, Local Governments must aim to achieve the six desired outcomes. These provide a framework for translating the principles and objectives of the Act into tangible and achievable results. The six desired outcomes are: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by, a public authority. People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of a public authority. People with disabilities receive information from a public authority in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it. People with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from staff of a public authority as other people receive from staff of that public authority. People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to a public authority. People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by a public authority. When developing a DAIP, Local Governments must aim to achieve the six desired outcomes. These provide a framework for translating the principles and objectives of the Act into tangible and achievable results. The six desired outcomes are: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by, a public authority. People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of a public authority. People with disabilities receive information from a public authority in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it. People with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from staff of a public authority as other people receive from staff of that public authority. People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to a public authority. People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by a public authority.

9. Disability Services Commission 9 What our Local Government is doing? This could include: access initiatives achieved; current access issues; and goals for the future. This slide can be tailored to include past and current initiatives for what your Local Government has achieved and provides an opportunity to discuss goals for the future. This slide can be tailored to include past and current initiatives for what your Local Government has achieved and provides an opportunity to discuss goals for the future.

10. Disability Services Commission 10 Resources DAIP Resource Manual The Commission’s Community Access and Information Branch Other access information available at www.dsc.wa.gov.au A resource manual has been sent to all Local Governments to assist with the development and implementation of DAIPs. The manual is available on the Commission’s website in both PDF and Word format. A Principal Access Officer from the Commission is assigned to each Local Government. A wide range of information regarding access is also available on the Commission’s website: www.dsc.wa.gov.auA resource manual has been sent to all Local Governments to assist with the development and implementation of DAIPs. The manual is available on the Commission’s website in both PDF and Word format. A Principal Access Officer from the Commission is assigned to each Local Government. A wide range of information regarding access is also available on the Commission’s website: www.dsc.wa.gov.au