DISTRICT COUNCIL LAUNCHES DISABLITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION CONSULTATION

The District Council of Grant has launched the first phase of community consultation as the Council work towards developing a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan for the district.

Council wants to hear from the public specifically in the areas of Council functions, services and facilities and a community based survey is now open to the public from 25 May 2020 – 3 July 2020 to capture that information and feedback. The final Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) will be developed through a variety of consultation methods including a staff survey, community survey, focus groups and face to face conversations, all aimed at developing actions and outcomes that support people with physical, mental and intellectual disabilities as well as the elderly, young parents and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

In line with the requirements under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) the final plan will be developed by October 2020 and will focus on the key pillars of:

1. Natural Environment and Built Heritage
2. Community and Culture
3. Infrastructure
4. Health and Wellbeing
5. Business and Employment

To deliver this first ever DAIP, Council have partnered with the Local Government Association and 12 other metro and regional Councils across South Australia in a funded state-wide project to develop a DAIP that supports thriving and sustainable communities and community engagement that is meaningful and well informed.

Mayor Richard Sage said that Council is committed to ensuring people living with a disability or who have inclusion barriers can be included in all aspects of life in the district.

“Council are committed to further developing our already welcoming environment where all people who work, live or visit our district feel like they belong. We want people to actively participate in life in the district and through this project and DAIP we can set a plan in place to ensure that occurs.”

In 2016, 100,651 people (or 6.0% of the population) in South Australia reported needing help in their day-to-day lives due to disability and for the District Council of Grant this number was similar with 324 people (or 4.0% of the population) reporting that they needing help in their day-to-day lives due to disability. In both cases there was a percentage increase from 2011.

“A well written disability access and inclusion plan will provide other benefits for our community such as increased opportunities for social interaction, improvement in wellbeing and more emphasis on the rich diversity that we have in our district” said Mayor Sage.

For more information on Council’s DAIP and to access the current community survey please visit yoursaydcg.com.au/disability-access-and-inclusion-plan or contact Council on 8721 0444 to arrange a hard copy or schedule and opportunity to talk 1-1 with one of the project team members at Council.