MR STEPHEN GLEN GENERAL MANAGER OF CESSNOCK CITY COUNCIL The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 provides Council with a path to improve access and inclusion for its services, infrastructure, communications and business systems. The development of the Plan has provided Council with an opportunity to formally identify issues facing both people with disability and their carers. This framework developed with the support of the community will better inform Council on how to create a more inclusive community for both residents and visitors to the Cessnock local government area. Council will build on and improve accessibility for people of all abilities and demonstrate by example, inclusive practices and attitudes. We will work collaboratively with government departments, businesses, community organisations and groups in advocating for and achieving inclusive and accessible communities. Council recognises that for the successful delivery of the Plan and its actions, collaborative partnerships are the key to improving access and inclusion for all people. In demonstrating Council’s commitment in delivering the Plan’s listed actions, it has been embedded within Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework. The progress in delivering the listed actions including the Plan’s achievements will be reported back to the community including being documented in Council’s Annual Report.
Summary of Legislation, Policy, Plans and Standards that Guide Council to Improve Access, Equality and Inclusion International United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020 Disability (Access to Premises Standards – Building) Standards 2010 Australian Standard (AS 1428) – Design for Access and Mobility NSW NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014 Disability Inclusion Regulation 2014 NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 Local Government Act 1993 Government (General) Regulation 2005 NSW Disability Inclusion Plan (2015)
1.2 Community events are accessible and inclusive of people with disability. Develop a practice guideline outlining and encouraging the host of community activities to provide activities that are accessible. The practice guideline would be issued to stakeholders in planning for Seniors Week, NAIDOC Week and Youth week programs. Qualitative feedback from event organisers on value of the guideline. Increase in accessible activities offered for Seniors Week, Week, NAIDOC Week with comparisons to previous years. Feedback from the community. 2019 Objective 1.1 Promoting social connections Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027
Council services are accessible and inclusive of people with disability. Provide staff with opportunities to participate in disability access and inclusion training, including encouraging staff to be aware of and be proactive in identifying and responding to service barriers. Council staff attendance and participation in training that focusses on access and inclusion. Procurement of a person with disability to be the trainer. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community Council publications are inclusive of people with disability. Images of people with disability to be used in mainstream publications and in promotions of community events. Images published in Council documents and promotional material is inclusive of people with disability. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027
The community is aware of programs and services available within the Cessnock local government area. Council will continue to provide an online community directory and events calendar. programs for example Seniors Week, Youth Week and NAIDOC Week will continue to be promoted within the community and to service providers. Level of usage. Increased services listed. Increased events listed. for community event promotional material. Circulation rates for community event and promotional material within the disability services sector. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture
Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 Council’s workforce is welcoming, respectful, diverse and inclusive of all people. Review the Workforce Management Plan to ensure diversity and inclusion is a consideration in workforce planning. Completion of the review. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community People with disability are provided with equitable employment opportunities at Council. Undertake an analysis to determine a benchmark for the number of people employed at Council with disability and assess if it is reflective of the demographics for the Cessnock local government area. Completion of benchmarking analysis. Findings of the benchmarking analysis to be considered when developing the Workforce Management Plan. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community
Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 People with disability employed at Council are provided with opportunities for career development. Continue to ensure that staff with disability, have access to training and professional development opportunities. Staff satisfaction with opportunities for career development. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community Council is a supportive workplace. Council policies and staff induction to continue to provide awareness of flexible work and leave arrangements and the process for applying for such arrangements. Outcome of feedback with staff. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community
Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 Council provides opportunities for people with disability to engage in the workforce. In collaboration with disability employment services Council to discuss the provision of volunteer and work placement training programs for people with disability. Outcome of discussions with local service providers. 2020 Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community Improve and promote access to volunteering opportunities for people with disability across the Cessnock government area. Promote to local services the importance of including and listing volunteering opportunities within the online community directory. Online records list the availability of volunteering opportunities. 2018 Objective 2.2 Achieving more sustainable employment opportunities
Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 The employment of people with disability is considered when procuring goods and services. Continue to provide procurement opportunities to suppliers that employ people with disability and/or organisations that support access and inclusion, in accordance with Council’s Procurement Policy. Social justice principles are considered in the procurement of goods and services. Awareness of local procurement opportunities that support the employment of people with disability. Ongoing Objective 2.2 Achieving more sustainable employment opportunities People with disability are employed in a of jobs across the Cessnock local government area. Council will encourage local business to be inclusive employers. Outcome of collaborative projects with stakeholder groups and includes business groups and the disability services sector. Ongoing Objective 2.2 Achieving more sustainable employment opportunities
Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 People have access to resources that assist with job finding and training courses. Promote libraries as an accessible facility with free access to computers and the internet. A wide range of promotional material is issued. Public computers at both Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries are available and used by the public. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture
Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 The participation of all people in community consultation processes is encouraged. Review Council’s Community Engagement Strategy to ensure all people are included and can access community consultation opportunities. Council’s community engagement plan is inclusive of all people. Council’s community plans identify as part of their consultation methodology, how people with disability were provided opportunity to participate. 2017 Objective 5.2 Encouraging more community participation in decision making
Council’s website is accessible for people with disability. Review Council’s website to understand the amendments required and the financial costs in complying with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 at AA level. Outcome of the review of Council’s website. Development of a budget proposal in seeking funding for any software upgrades. 2020 Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 Materials published by Council are available in accessible formats. that develop strategic plans and publications to be provided with training to gain knowledge and understanding for accessible formats. Staff are aware of accessible formats. Documents are provided in an accessible format. Outcome of feedback from service providers and the community. 2018 Objective 5.2 Encouraging more community participation in decision making
Council’s planning instruments reflect local requirements for access and inclusion. Review the Cessnock Development Control Plan to ensure adequate guidance is provided for access requirements. The Development Control Plan is responsive to the community in considering access and inclusion. Qualitative feedback from Council planning staff. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 Customers of Cessnock City Council are provided with a service that is accessible and inclusive. Undertake an audit of the Administration’s Building customer service area to assess and consider opportunities for access improvements. Completion of audit. Findings of the audit implemented. Feedback from the community. Ongoing Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community
Staff in front line customer service roles are aware of a range of communication methods used by people with hearing or speech impairment. Council to investigate becoming Relay Service Friendly. Staff have awareness of the National Relay Service. 2018 Objective 5.3 Making Council more responsive to the community Goal Four: Create liveable communities Council has a key role in designing and providing civic, recreation and community spaces that engage, encourage and enable people to participate in life. It also has a role in advocating for improved access to services and this includes access to public transport and housing.
Above: Accessible pool entry ramp at Cessnock Pool. Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027 4.1 Community members are engaged in Council processes. Investigate upgrading the hearing loop within the Cessnock City Council Chambers to ensure compliance with current standards. Investigation complete and determination made. Finalise project costing. 2017/ 2018 2018/ 2019 Objective 5.2 Encouraging more community participation in decision making
4.2 constructed Council owned community buildings are designed to be inclusive and accessible. If any new community buildings are to be constructed during the life of this Plan, people with disability will be consulted on building design and accessibility. Accessible features are included in the design. Outcome of feedback from people with disability, carer’s and disability service providers. Once constructed, qualitative feedback from people who use the facility. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027
4.3 The Australian Standard for Access and Mobility (AS 1428) is understood by Council staff responsible for community infrastructure. Council staff with responsibility for asset maintenance, revitalisation and/or the planning of new community facilities to be made aware of the Australian Standard for Access and Mobility (AS 1428). AS 1428 distributed to staff. Staff understanding of AS 1428. Building works are compliant with AS 1428. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture 4.4 The required for existing community facilities to be compliant with the Australian Standard for Access and Mobility (AS 1428) is understood. resources and funding allows, undertake audits of community buildings, public toilets and pool facilities to assess compliance with the Australian Standard for Access and Mobility (AS 1428). Completion of audits. Outcome of audits in complying with AS 1428. Works program developed to guide future capital works that improve access to facilities. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027
4.5 Council has a capital works program in place for its community and recreation facilities to improve access and inclusion. Council’s Asset Management Plans, Plan of Management, Strategic Documents and Masterplans will identify and program access improvements for community buildings, recreational facilities, including pools and parks, to enable improved access, safety and inclusion. Works program developed. Funding for works budgeted. Required works undertaken. Feedback from the community. Ongoing Objective 1.2 Strengthening community culture Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027
4.6 Council has in place an improvement program for accessible car parks. Undertake an audit of accessible car parks to determine their compliance with standards and findings to be used in guiding future improvement plans. Completion of audit. Works program, developed and funding secured. Works program implemented to improve accessible car parking. 2019 Objective 4.1 Better transport links 4.7 Central Business Districts are designed to enable access to and participation in active transport. Council will continue to implement its adopted Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (2016). Implementation of the Plan. The community is provided with improved pedestrian routes. Ongoing Objective 4.1 Better transport links Goal Action How will we measure this Timing Links to Cessnock 2027
4.9 The Cessnock local government area is provided with a range of social and health services that meets the needs of the community. Council is a member of a number of networks and includes Kurri Local Health Advisory Committee, Cessnock Healthy Lifestyle Network and General/Youth Council will continue to network and advocate for increased disability, social support and health services. Council is an advocate for increased services being based and/or outreach to the local area. Council participates in a range of collaborative partnerships. Ongoing Objective 4.3 Improving access to health services locally Goal Action How will we measure this Timing to Cessnock 2027