The first MidCoast-wide Disability Inclusion Action Plan in draft form was placed on public exhibition yesterday, with a key theme of improving accessibility and inclusiveness for locals living with disability.
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The draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) outlines proposed strategies and pinpoints actions that teams across MidCoast Council will implement over the next four years, 2017 – 2021, to enable better access to services, facilities and support for people with a disability.
Its scope extends to establishing partnerships, communication channels and activities to drive awareness of the needs and rights of the almost 7000 community members in the MidCoast region who have a disability.
“This is an important step forward in planning a structured approach to disability inclusion, and reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver quality services across the full breadth of our community”, explained Lyndie Hepple, MidCoast Council’s community development coordinator.
The draft plan has been developed following consultation with stakeholders across a diverse range of groups including people living with disability and their carers, service organisations, community members and council staff to provide an informed and diverse insight into current barriers and areas of importance to be addressed.
“All areas of council have been reviewed giving consideration to the feedback we received in the consultation, and the result is a fully detailed outline of ways we can improve inclusion across the MidCoast,” Lyndie said.
“These range from obvious improvements to infrastructure to enable better access, through to simplifying transactional processes, staff education and improving access to information.”
The draft DIAP is available to review at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/DIAP, where community members can provide feedback by making a submission.
Hard copies are also available for viewing at our Forster, Gloucester, Taree, Tea Gardens and Stroud customer service centres.
Email and postal submissions will be accepted, but should be marked clearly with the project code DIAP-05-17.
The draft DIAP will be open for community feedback until 4pm on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. For more information visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/DIAP.
This project is part of MidCoast Council’s commitment to building a stronger community.
