be incorporated in VCAT’s staff and member induction program and in the customer service training program be embedded in the Performance and Development Plans and Member Professional Development events. Action Measureable target Responsibility Commencement date Nominate at least three Disability Liaison Officers in the customer service, listings and people management areas to: be a single point of contact for parties with disability attending a VCAT hearing and to give advice on what support is available assist with pre-visits to the venue if required ensure relevant information is included on the VCAT case file establish a knowledge base of information and support services to assist customers with a disability (for example, how to access Braille services) At least three Disability Liaison Officers are nominated Manager, Customer Service June 2018 Establish a VCAT Disability Reference Group, including staff, members and external stakeholders, to report to the Diversity Steering Committee and inform service developments VCAT Disability Reference Group is established One of VCAT Disability Liaison Officers to be invited to participate at Principal Registrar March 2018
equipment in hearing rooms including regional venues Bench clerk coordinator to arrange training sessions for members when required Review the availability of instructions and manuals Organise training when required and conduct an Access Audit and develop a response plan to address gaps and issues Conduct an audit for VCAT-managed hearing venues Liaise with CSV about conducting accessibility audits at co-located sites Director, Corporate Services July 2018 Consider best ways to provide information on how to access facilities for people with accessibility concerns. For example, videos will be available on the accessibility page on our website. Explore customer views and perspectives on how they would like to find out about access to VCAT hearings Access information e.g. videos are available for hearing venues on VCAT’s website Director, Corporate Services January 2018 Ensure people with disability and key representative bodies are including in usability testing for VCAT’s website and online services. The VCAT Disability Reference Group could be used for this purpose Manager, Strategic Communications will report on this activity as part of the annual report for Accessibility Action Plan Manager, Strategic Communications January 2018 Ongoing
Action Measureable target Responsibility Commencement date Review website to ensure: it includes easy-to-find accessibility information including contact details of the VCAT Disability Liaison Officer and Application for Adjustments form continue to update and monitor the compliance of web materials with W3C WCAG 2.0 AA Standards Information on VCAT’s website meets accessibility guidelines for W3C WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance and Level AAA where possible Manager, Strategic Communications In progress since December 2017 Ongoing Ensure that the existing and new online forms and new systems that are developed are reviewed, tested and modified to meet accessibility standards Forms and systems meet the required accessibility standards IT Director, Strategic Projects Director, IT Operations In progress since October 2017 Ongoing Priority 3: Employment opportunities Core objectives: VCAT employment opportunities are equally accessible to people with disability work environment has the necessary adjustments available for people with disability to support them in jobs Action Measureable target Responsibility Commencement date disability and employment targets and strategies into VCAT’s workforce plan VCAT’s workforce plan includes disability employment targets and strategies Director, People Management June 2018 Action Measureable target Responsibility Commencement date
Assess and rebuild the ‘Careers at VCAT’ page on VCAT’s website to create a welcoming vision and promote VCAT as an Equal Opportunity Employer of choice by: promoting VCAT’s employment commitment to diversity and inclusion and our targets promoting VCAT’s workplace adjustment policy profiling in V-Chat newsletter and other communication channels diversity at VCAT with stories of staff and members with disability working at VCAT The ‘Careers at VCAT’ page is reviewed annually and redeveloped as required At two stories are published per year in relation to staff and members with a disability working at VCAT (or staff and members working with colleagues or VCAT users with a disability) Director, People Management Manager, Strategic Communications January 2018 Improve job application and interview process by: being flexible about the application processes promoting employment opportunities to specialist organisations who support the placement of people with disability ensuring that skilled hiring managers, who have participated in disability awareness and confidence training, participate on recruitment panels Increase of people with disability applying for employment opportunities at VCAT Director, People Management January 2018 Ongoing Ensure and members who identify as having a need for a personal emergency evacuation plan, have one in place Promote the development of a personal emergency evacuation plan to staff and members All staff and members with a disability that is known to VCAT have a personal emergency evacuation plan Chief Warden In progress since July 2017
Action Measureable target Responsibility Commencement date Ensure that employee engagement surveys include questions on inclusiveness and support Next staff and member engagement survey is scheduled for 2018 and will include a question on inclusiveness and support Director, People Management In progress June 2017 Promote and expand mental health awareness initiatives through VCAT’s OHS and Wellbeing Committee A minimum of two mental health promotion events will occur annually Director, People Management January 2018 Priority 4: Reporting and review Core objectives: regularly review the plan and progress ensure VCAT members, staff and broader community are aware of new initiatives Action Measureable target Responsibility Commencement date VCAT’s Diversity Steering Committee will report to the President’s Advisory Committee on progress There will be two progress reports per annum to PAC Chair, Diversity Steering Committee The first report will be in December 2017 and then ongoing VCAT will report on progress of this plan in its annual report An Accessibility Action Plan report is included in VCAT’s annual report and in the bi-annual Strategic Plan progress report Priority 2: Inclusive and Accessible CEO Ongoing
VCAT will review regularly this plan in consultation with VCAT Disability Reference Group and other key stakeholders An annual review of the Accessibility Action Plan is conducted by VCAT’s Diversity Steering Committee Chair, Diversity Steering Committee The first review will be in July 2018 and annually thereafter VCAT’s customer survey will provide data and information on the level of satisfaction with the accessibility at VCAT The customer survey is to capture relevant information Project Director, Customer Service Improvement Program In progress since July 2017