Positive Steps Towards an Inclusive Community
Published on 27 June 2022
Council has formally adopted its Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 which aims to help provide equal access to local opportunities and choices in the Coffs Harbour area for people with disabilities, their carers and families.
Council has had a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) in place since 2017, which is reviewed every four years in line with the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014.
The Plan has four priorities:
- Developing positive attitudes towards disability
- Creating liveable communities
- Increasing access to meaningful employment and
- Improving access to services through improved systems and processes
“I’d like to thank the members of Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee and local residents with disabilities who gave us their time and valuable insights into how we can do even better in this space, ” said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Paul Amos.
“The only way to really make changes that matter is to gain an understanding of the lives of the people who live with disabilities. The revised DIAP is going to be a vital tool that clearly sets out the strategies and actions Council will carry out where possible to provide access to information, services, events and facilities for everyone.”
The development of the DIAP 2022-2026 included consultation with people with disabilities, Council staff and the wider community via a number of workshops and an online survey between March and December 2021.
During the public exhibition, the draft plan was available on Council’s Have Your Say website from 2-29 May 2022 and promoted via a media release, social media posts and email.
Members of Council’s Disability Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee will be kept informed on the implementation and progress of the plan.