Join the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel

Make a positive impact on disability accessibility and inclusion in our district by expressing your interest in joining our Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel today.

Background

The District Council of Grant is committed to ensuring people within our community who have a lived experience of disability can access services to participate in all aspects of life.

Council's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020 – 2024 sets the roadmap to achieve our vision to be a fully inclusive society that values and respects all people as equal and contributing members of the community. The Plan outlines 64 actions envisaged to be delivered over a 4-year period to increased accessibility across 4 key areas:

1. Information and Communication
2. Built Environments and Facilities
3. Employment
4. Programs and Services

Key action 1.4 detailed within the Plan is to establish a Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Group to advise, monitor, evaluate and review Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and make recommendations as appropriate.

Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan will be updated early in 2025 when new State Government Legislation has been gazetted.

What does an Advisory Panel Member do and who's involved?

The role of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel is to identify and assist Council in the delivery of priority actions within the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020 - 2024. As detailed within the Advisory Panel's Terms of Reference, members are also required to:

• Provide advice and feedback to District Council of Grant employees on policy or project development and review, across all areas relevant to people with disability;
• Provide advice and feedback to the District Council of Grant employees related to the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan;
• Advise on submissions Council may make relating to State and Federal Government strategy, policy, regulation and legislation;
• Provide advice to Council of how to identify issues that are relevant to people with disability and how to priorities projects; and
• To identify Disability Access and Inclusion project opportunities in the District.

The Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel consists of up to 12 members, with at least 2 members having lived experience of disability. Current members include:

The Advisory Panel include 3 District Council of Grant Elected Members, up to 6 Independent Members and up to 3 Organisational (disability sector or related) Members.

The term of membership for individuals is 2 years, with a right to reappoint for a further 2 years. Individuals may serve for up to a maximum of 4 years. Organisational membership will be reviewed every 2 years to ensure the Access and Inclusion Advisory Penl remains representative of the sector. Elected Members are appointed for a 4-year term to coincide with the Council term.

It is envisaged that the Advisory Panel will meet at least twice a year, with additional meetings anticipated in the consultation period leading up to the review and adoption of the 2025 – 2029 Disability Action and Inclusion Plan.

Apply to join our Advisory Panel today!

The District Council of Grant is currently seeking expressions of interest for additional members. Expressions of interest for membership close 5:00pm Friday 25 October 2024.

Interested community members are invited to complete an Application Form to apply for the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel and submit by:

• Online via the below Expression of Interest Form
• Email info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
• Written application addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290 or delivered to the District Council of Grant, 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier

Interested individuals are encouraged to speak with a Council staff member about their expression of interest on (08) 8721 0444.