Outcome 1: Reducing barriers to women with a disability accessing WDVCS managed goods, services and facilities Method/ Outcome Performance measure Time frame Responsibility Conduct an access audit of WDVCS facilities Audit completed and presented to Leadership Team. Dec 2012 DAP Project worker Explore and determine the best method for consistent and periodic access auditing of WDVCS facilities Method developed for auditing accessibility status of WDVCS facilities July 2013 Coordinator – Quality and Training Ensure that future building relocations/works /renovations are undertaken in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements All refurbishments are complaint with the Disability Discrimination Act and other related building codes WDVCS adopts a policy of universal access ongoing June 2013 CEO, Direct Services Coordinator Accommodation Coordinator – Quality and Training WDVCS events will be held in accessible venues. Access features and the positive inclusion of women with a disability promoted WDVCS procedure guidelines advise that all events take place in accessible venues, and support people as appropriate. For example sign-Language interpreters are available on request ongoing Leadership Team Ensure information on WDVCS website about services and events is user-friendly and includes information for women with a disability. Online visibility of advice and information on WDVCS website is inclusive of women with a disability WDVCS website improved and compliant with W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) Dec 2013 Feb 2014 CEO, Communications & Media Advocacy Coordinator Ensure WDVCS electronic information is accessible to adaptive technologies New WDVCS documents are available in accessible formats: Word, HTML ongoing Leadership Team Scope the capacity to establish a SMS crisis call service for women Seek advice from other emergency services that utilise SMS to scope feasibility of its use at WDVCS. Dec 2013 Coordinator - Quality and Training
who are deaf or have hearing or speech impairments needing a crisis response Scope the feasibility of WDVCS developing an online advice and information source that is inclusive of women with a disability Findings and recommendations of the scoping project are prioritised for Board of Governance endorsement Dec 2014 Systematic recording of whether a women has a disability and about her ‘accessibility needs’ Strengthened data sets collected by SHIP in relation to women with a disability Coordinator - Quality and Training Direct Services and Coordinator Referral Pathways Manage timely access to assistive aids and/or personal assistance to women who identify support needs All Leadership and on call workers have a strong working knowledge of the Disability FV Crisis Response Initiative Crisis Support Advocates are competent in completing CRAF supplementary questionnaire CRAF supplementary questionnaire is part of induction for all new staff September 2013 Coordinator - Quality and Training Direct Services Direct Services Coordinators Referral Pathways & Accommodation Invest in the improvement of Victoria’s state wide crisis responses to women and children with a disability affected by family violence WDVCS raise issues impacting on women and children with a disability at all stakeholder forums WDVCS to participant in any governance arrangements supporting the DHS Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative ongoing CEO, Leadership Team Reduce service barriers experienced by women with age acquired, temporary or mental health related disabilities Advocate to government and all relevant stakeholders a approach for the expansion of the Disability and FV Crisis Response Initiative ongoing CEO, Leadership Team Partner with specialist support services to improve the quality and accessibility of WDVCs crisis response WDVCS has, in place, established protocols with Disability agencies who brokerage personal support WDVCS share practice knowledge with sector encouraging other agencies to establish similar protocols in local areas Dec 2013 ongoing Coordinator - Quality and Training Direct Services Leadership team Provide motel accommodation that has disability access Maintain accounts with motels with accessible units ongoing Administration Coordinator
Maintain positive working relationships with motel proprietors ongoing Direct Services Coordinators Referral Pathways & Accommodation Women with a disability housed in motel accommodation (if requested) are safely orientated to the area WDVCS outreach orientates women to the motel and surrounding area to move around safely and independently If after hours: CARS worker contacted to orientate women Direct Services Coordinators Referral Pathways & Accommodation Systematic review of WDVCS policies and procedures which demonstrate that they are effective and being followed WDVCS staff meetings review effectiveness of policies and procedures on a regular bases Crisis Support Advocates are supported to explore their professional practice within supervision ongoing CEO, Coordinator - Quality and Training Direct Service Coordinators, Women with cognitive impairments are supported to better understand their rights and responsibilities in WDVCS accommodation An induction package for Trish’s Place using appropriate language for women with cognitive impairments is developed Induction package includes information for women accommodated in motels June 2013 Direct Service Coordinators Increase Crisis Support Advocates capacity to support women who identify as having a mental illness WDVCS develop a clear process for Crisis Support Advocates to seek internal and external expertise through consultation as required Develop a relationship with a General Practice with expertise in mental health for women staying at Trish’s Place to access as required Improved outcomes for women with mental health support needs accessing family violence crisis response July 2014 July 2014 ongoing Coordinator - Quality and Training Direct Service Coordinators CEO, Leadership Team
Action on Disability Outcome 2: Reducing barriers to women with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment with WDVCS Method/ Outcome Performance measure Time frame Responsibility Ensure WDVCS recruitment and selection policies do not discriminate and comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equal Opportunity Act Review and update recruitment procedures and associated processes, including job advertisements, to ensure relevant information is captured and is June 2013 CEO Produce and implement a reasonable adjustment policy which allows an employee with a disability to carry out the tasks for which she was hired Employees with a disability receive the appropriate support and modifications to work at WDVCS. June 2013 Adopt an innovative approach to recruitment and retainment of employees with a disability WDVCS investigate the possibility of adopting affirmative action employment policy. Outcome documented and share with all employees Sept 2013 CEO, Leadership Team Ensure Leadership Team is aware of reasonable adjustment policy and workplace modifications Required workplace modifications are not seen as a barrier to attracting potential employees with a disability. ongoing CEO All Leadership Team have expertise in equal employment and policy and legislation Coordinator - Quality and Training to attend regular training in equal employment and anti-discrimination policy and legislation to help support organisations understanding of obligations prior to conducting interviews. ongoing Coordinator - Quality and Training Support employees with a disability Workplace modification required by staff member is provided promptly and monitored for appropriateness. Induction program meets access and other needs of staff with a disability. ongoing CEO
Action on Disability Outcome 3: Promoting inclusion and participation in the community of women with a disability. Method/ Outcome Performance measure Time frame Responsibility Promote leadership roles for women with a disability by recruiting women on to WDVCS Board of Management Invite and support the representation of women with a disability onto the WDVCS Board April 2014 CEO, Board Ensure that women with disabilities unique perspectives are informing WDVCS planning, policy and service delivery Continue and maintain a collaborative partnership with Women with Disabilities Victoria ongoing CEO and Coordinator & Training Increase community awareness of issues and barriers for women with a disability experiencing gender based violence WDVCS Media Project uses the media to raise awareness and inform debate on the impact of family violence on women with a disability ongoing Communications & Media Advocate coordinator Ensure that women and children with a disability rights and needs are incorporated into all aspects of family violence policy, governance and law reform WDVCS utilises its position within the Victorian Integrated Family Violence Response service system to promote the inclusion of the rights and needs of women and children with a disability ongoing CEO Leadership Team Promote research, evidence generation, data collection and documentation regarding women and children with a disability affected by family violence WDVCS prioritise resourcing participation in initiatives which build an evidence base on the impact of family violence on women and children with a disability ongoing CEO, Coordinator – Quality and Training Advocate for the inclusion of both gender based violence in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) WDVCS through its peak body Domestic Violence Victoria advocate the inclusion of gender and family violence in the NDIS June 2013 CEO
Action on Disability Outcome 4: Achieving organisational culture change in attitudes and practices which discriminate against disability. Method/ Outcome Performance measure Time frame Align all relevant WDVCS policy, procedures and plans with the Disability Action Plan Disability Action Plan is integrated into WDVCS operational and strategic plans Each scheduled policy and planning review CEO, Coordinator – Quality and Training Raise awareness of WDVCS commitment to respecting and valuing diversity and the elimination of discriminatory behaviours A disability policy statement outlining WDVC’s commitment to enhancing access for women and children with a disability is developed and publicly available December 2013 CEO, Coordinator Quality & Training Incorporate disability awareness in WDVCS Board and staff induction, professional development for employees to better understand disability Disability incorporated into PD schedule Induction of new board members and employees be reviewed to incorporate reference to the Disability Action plan Leadership Team and Crisis Support Advocates demonstrate an understanding of disability and support accessibility Annually June 2013 ongoing Leadership Team Coordinator – Quality and Training Leadership Team, Crisis Support Advocates Work with Crisis Support Advocates to raise awareness of how to work with women with a disability Crisis Support Advocates and Coordinators through supervision identify opportunities to build confidence and the skills needed to improve service practice ongoing Leadership Team, Crisis Support Advocates Endorsement The Board, CEO, Leadership Team and Crisis Advocate Supports were all briefed on the Disability Action Plan 2013-2016. The Plan was endorsed at a meeting of the Leadership Team on 5/12/2012, Crisis Advocate Support Workers on 13/12/2013 supported in principle by the Board on 12/12/2012. Review Dates 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015