Hume City Council Is Proud to Be Advancing the Commitment to Participation and Wellbeing

INTRODUCTION

Hume City Council is proud to be advancing the commitment to participation and wellbeing of people with disabilities through the development of this action plan. The HumeCity Council Disability Action Plan 2012-2016 (DAP) continues and enhances Council’s work in this area. The conclusion of the Social Justice Charter Action Plan – People with Disabilities 2007/08 – 2009/10 was an opportunity for Council to review outcomes and prioritise actions for the next four years.

This draft DAP has been developed after extensive review and community and stakeholder consultation. This action plan is a tool for Council to plan and implement programs, services and events and remove barriers to access for people with disabilities.

Disability Action Plans (DAP’s) are a requirement for Victorian Local Government authorities under the Victorian Disability Act 2006. The Victorian Disability Act 2006 (section 38) requires public sector bodies, including local government to prepare a DAP.

Access and inclusion for all, has long been a key theme across the local government sector. Hume City Council has been a leader in this area with the adoption of the Social Justice Charter in 2001.This DAPis a commitment from Council to ensure practical implementation is a key focus and achievements that can be easily monitored by all levels of government and communities.

This document was developed in three stages:

• Review of Social Justice Charter Action Plan – People with Disabilities 2007/08 – 2009/10 (reported outcomes are included in the Social Justice Charter Annual Report 2010);
• The Development of a discussion paper which reviewed State and Federal Government legislation and policy direction and considered Council’s previous outcomes and future actions. The discussion paper informed and guided the community and stakeholder consultation;
• Community and key stakeholder consultation forums and individual interviews.

This draft of the DAP is now open for the second phase of community and key stakeholder feedback.

The community and key stakeholder feedback on this draft will be considered and the final version of Hume City Council Disability Action Plan 2012-2016 will be presented to Council for adoption in April 2012.

Once the final draft has been adopted by Council, actions included in the DAP will be monitored and reviewed annually. Consistent with the requirements under the Victorian Disability Act 2006, the DAP progress and outcomes will be reported through the Hume City Council Annual Report.

FEEDBACK

Feedback or comments can be forwarded to Andrew Tranter - Metro Access Officer

via email to .

or

Ph 9205 2485.

Please forward all feedback and comments by 5pm Friday 9th March 2012

GUIDING LEGISLATION

The HumeCity Council Disability Action Plan 2012 – 2016 is developed in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Disability Act 2006, and relevant Australian Standards for Access and Mobility A1428 and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act Vic (2006)

The Victorian Disability Act 2006 (section 38) requires public sector bodies, including local government, to prepare a DAP for the purposes of:

•Reducing barriers to people with disabilities accessing goods, services and facilities;

•Reducing barriers to people with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment;

•Promoting inclusion and participation in the community of people with a disability;

•Achieving tangible changes in attitudes and practices which discriminate against people with a disability.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FRAMEWORK

In addition to the legislation requirements, this DAP has been developed within Hume City Council’s Social Justice Policy Framework. This DAPis underpinned by the concept of Social Justice with four inter-connected and overlapping elements:

Principles — Influence the process and actions;

Rights — The Citizen’s Bill of Rights, incorporating The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic);

Actions — Includes Council action plans and strategies;

Accountability — Monitoring of progress and annual reporting.

The Social Justice Framework assists Councillors and officers to apply social justice values when making policy and providing services to Hume community.

Social Justice is:

i.Every effort should be made to reduce economic and social inequality;

ii.All people should be guaranteed equal human rights;

iii.All people should be enabled to participate fully in society;

iv.A just society understands that actions and experiences of the past and current decisions and activities affect future generations.

DISABILITY PROFILE IN HUMECITY

According to the 2006 Census, 4.1% of Hume residents require assistance in their day to day needs for self-care, body movements or communication because of a disability or long-term health condition. This is slightly above the Melbourne average of 4.0% (ABS, 2006 Census).

The Broadmeadows Statistical Local Area (SLA) within Hume is recorded as the most disadvantaged in Victoria (ABS, 2006 Census).The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that people living in the most disadvantaged quintile of Melbourne were twice as likely to have severe disability (2.8%) as those living in the most advantaged quintile (1.4%). Within Melbourne, this study found that the Broadmeadows SLA has the largest proportion of persons aged 0 to 64 years experiencing a severe disability (3.9% of the population) when compared to all SLAs within Melbourne’s Statistical Division (AIHW, The geography of disability and economic disadvantage in Australian capital cities, 2009).

THEMES FOR THE DISABILITY ACTION PLAN

Three themes are to be addressed through this Disability Action Plan (DAP). These themes are reflected in Hume City Council’s Social Justice Charter and its previous Social Justice Charter Action Plan – People with Disabilities 2007/08 -2009/10. Two of the previous themes ‘Access & Opportunity’ and ‘Participate’ have been combined into one entitled ‘Access and Participation’. This change is a direct result of the community and stakeholder consultation Council conducted to evaluate the previous Social Justice Charter Action Plans.

The three themes are listed below, with a short description about what is intended by each theme.

Inform – It is vital that people with disabilities and their carers are informed about the DAP, are consulted in its development and are informed about the services and programs Council offers. In addition, this theme provides actions to increase the communication between Council and people with disabilities and improve the capacity for people with disabilities to find the information they need in the way that is most effective and relevant.

Access and Participation – For people with disabilities and their carers to be supported in their endeavours, it is important they are able to access the services and programs available. Part of this theme focuses on physical access to Council buildings and facilities, while other sections of this theme focus on ways to increase the participation of people with disabilities in events, decision-making and services.

Advocacy – A key role of Council, in partnership with people with disabilities and community agencies, is to ensure other levels of government and relevant parties are aware of the issues faced by people with disabilities and their carers in HumeCity. This theme identifies a range of experiences, needs and issues that Council will raise with other parties including the State and Federal Governments in order to increase funding, services and improved outcomes for the Hume community.

An objective for each of the above themes has been developed to capture the essence of the themes and to inform the strategies and specific actions outlined in the following sections of this plan.

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Objectives and Key Performance Indicators

Objectives / Key Performance Indicator Measure / Target
Inform / Inform community members and service providers about the role of Council and the services provided.
Inform Council of ongoing and emerging needs of people with disabilities. / Provide accessible formatted communication and symbols on printed documents.
Continued improvement of Council’s websites to include accessible formats.
Hume City Council Disability Directory
Support and expansion of Hume Disability Issues Group.
Audit Council staff disability awareness training needs and link to My Hume Review staff appraisal process. / 70% of Council published documents will be available in accessible format and will be identified with appropriate access symbols by June 2016
Annual assessment of website undertaken in consultation with community.
Biannual review and update of Council’s Disability Services Directory.
Hume Disability Issues Group to meet 10 times annually in 2012/13, moving to quarterly meetings by 2016.
Minimum of 4 tailored disability awareness training sessions delivered annually.
Access and Participation / Enhance social, recreation and leisure participation for people with disabilities through the continued expansion of integrated and specific programs.
Facilitate and support the continued development of education and employment pathways for people with disabilities.
Ensure access to all existing Hume City Council community facilities. / Support and cultivate a range of inclusive programs through Council’s Community Grants Program.
Support the development of programs that engage people with disabilities in arts and culture, leisure and skill development activities.
Explore funding opportunities and partnerships to enhance integrated and specific programs for people with disabilities.
Continue to offer Job Preparation Programs to assist people who have experienced barriers to employment due to mental health.
Support the implementation of the Department of Human Services(DHS) Structured Training Program to train and casually employ local DHS Clients.
Develop key recruitment strategies encouraging participation for Indigenous and under-represented groups.
Enhance the accessibility of Council facilities through rolling audits and improvements under the Disability Action Plan Capital Works Program. / Community information workshop conducted annually in conjunction with community grants program.
4 new community programs offered annually across the municipality.
Explore a minimum of 5 grants and partnership opportunities annually.
Conduct a minimum of 30 interviews annually and target 20 job placements annually.
Minimum of 10 people attending training program annually.
Minimum of five people from disadvantaged or culturally diverse backgrounds provided with the opportunity to participate in employment programs (traineeships)annually.
Minimum of 3 Council facilities per year to have full access works carried out to address accredited Disability Access Audit reports.
Advocacy / Engage our community and foster participation of people with disabilities in civic life of the City. / Support Hume Disability Issues Group through governance and advocacy training.
Provide training and community education forums to support people with disabilities to obtain skills that support self-advocacy. / 3 professional development training sessions held annually.
3 advocacy and/or community forumsheld annually.

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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

INFORM

People with disabilities whether physical, mental or intellectual, are best served when information of existing supports is communicated in several formats, catering to the varying abilities of our residents. An informed and aware community enhances the opportunities for people with disabilities to reduce barriers and thereforeincrease participation insocial and economic life. Enhancingknowledge within Council of the needs and capabilities of people with disabilities advances the opportunities for informed communication and service provision. The timely and appropriate distribution and collection of information will be a key activity for Council.

Objective 1: Promote respect and recognition of people with disabilities through enhanced communication between Council, people with disabilities, their carers and the broader community.

Strategy / Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Outcome
1.1 Inform community members and service providers about the role of Council and the services provided. / 1.1.1 Develop a HCC Branding Style Guide including accessible guidelines. / Lead: Marketing and Communications / July 2012 / Improved access to Council information.
1.1.2 Introduce guidelines for use of symbols on printed documents and Council signage to identify accessibility for Council services. / Lead: Marketing and Communications
Supported by: Customer Service / 2013 / Improved access to Council information.
1.1.3 Continue to improve Council’s websites to include accessible formats. / Lead: Organisation Planning and Improvement
Supported by: Learning Community
Leisure and Youth Services / Ongoing / Increase usage of Councils website by people with disabilities.
1.1.4 Review and update biannually the HCCDisability Directory. / Lead: Social Development / 2012
2014
2016 / HCC Disability Directory updated biannually.
1.1.5 Develop a Social Media Policy to enhance Council’s information distribution. / Lead: Marketing and Communications / 2012 / Social Media Policy developed and implemented.
Strategy / Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Outcome
1.2 Inform Council of ongoing and emerging needs of people with disabilities. / 1.2.1 Continue to support and expand the HCC Disabilities Issues Group. / Lead: Social Development / Annually / Number of events / activities offered in partnership.
1.2.2 Use social networking opportunities to engage with Council services, programs and festivals. / Lead: Marketing and Communications
Supported by: Social Development
Leisure and Youth Services
Learning Community / Ongoing / Increased awareness of Council services, programs and festivals.
1.2.3 Audit Council staff disability awareness training needs and link training to My Hume Review staff appraisal process. / Lead: Human Resources
Supported by: Social Development and Customer Service / 2014 / Increase staff awareness to develop information and services in more accessible and disability friendly formats.
1.2.4 Develop and implement programs and activities that increase Council Officer interaction with community members and service providers. / Lead: Social Development
Supported by: Leisure and Youth Services;
Aged Services; Public Health; Family and Children’s Services;
Learning Community; and Customer Service / Ongoing / Programs and activities provided to increase staff engagement with community and enhance Council knowledge.
1.2.5 Explore opportunities within Council services to improve data collection to increase knowledge and evidence of community needs. / Lead: Research
Supported by: Social Development;
Family and Children’s Services; Aged Services and Public Health; and Customer Service / 2012, ongoing / Disability Snap Shot includes HCC service and program usage data.
1.3 Inform the broader community about the needs and abilities of people with disabilities. / 1.3.1 Accessibility is addressed as part of the planning stage for events and festivals. / Lead: Marketing and Communications / Ongoing / Events and festivals are accessible and inclusive.
1.3.1Develop and implement age appropriate integrated events, programs and training to provide opportunities for interaction between people with disabilities and the broader community. / Lead: Social Development
Supported by: Leisure and Youth Services; Aged Services and Public Health; Learning Community; Family and Children’s Services; Economic Development; and Marketing and Communications / Ongoing / Programs and activities provided to increase interaction between people with disabilities and the broader community.
1.3.2 Through the Health and Community Service Alliance – develop a Disability Partnership Network for service providers to enhance referral pathways. / Lead: Social Development
Supported by: Aged Services and Public Health / 2012, ongoing / Increased knowledge and partnerships developed to enhance services.
1.3.3 Distribute the Accessible Business Guide to the local business community and service providers highlighting their responsibility to provide accessible buildings. / Lead: Social Development
Supported by: Economic Development; and Infrastructure Planning / 2012, ongoing / Local businesses are accessible.

“Council needs to be welcoming to people with disabilities… things like the symbols and access ramps indicate that I’m welcome”

ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION

Not all people with disabilities are alike. All people have specific needs, priorities and perspectives including the type and level of support required. Council will work with people with disabilities and their carers to identify access requirements and appropriate responses to the unique needs of individuals. Developing and advancingstrategies that systemically remove barriers to participation byproviding equitable opportunities for involvement in our City in the social, recreation, economic and built environment is a key commitment of a just society. The key to social inclusion is to increase participation in all spheres of influence across the municipality.

Objective 2: To strengthen access and participation of people with disabilities within the social, recreation, economic and built environment of our City.

Strategy / Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Outcome
2.1 Enhance social, recreation and leisure participation for people with disabilities through the continued expansion of integrated and specific programs. / 2.1.1 Support and cultivate a range of inclusive programs through Council’s Community Grants Program. / Lead: Social Development / Ongoing / Distribution of Community Grants Program funding to groups promoting inclusion.
2.1.2 Develop and implement programs that make it possible for people with disabilities to engage in arts and culture, leisure and skill development activities. / Lead: Social Development
Supported by: Aged Services and Public Health;
Family and Children’s Services;
Leisure and Youth Services;
Learning Community;
And Sustainable Environment / Ongoing / Increase range of programs offered to people with disabilities.
2.1.3 Explore funding opportunities and partnerships to enhance integrated and specific programs for people with disabilities. / Lead: Social Development
Supported by: Leisure and Youth Services;
Aged Services and Public Health;
Family and Children’s Services;
Learning Community;
Economic Development; and
Sustainable Environment / Ongoing / Increase funding and partnership formed to offer programs for people with disabilities.
2.1.4 Liaise with sporting clubs and explore continued opportunities to include recreation programs for people with disabilities. / Lead: Leisure and Youth Services
Supported by: Learning Communities / Ongoing / Increased number of sport and recreation programs offered to people with disabilities.
2.1.5 As part of the Access All Abilities Program, continue to upgrade equipment in Council’s leisure facilities that supports participation in activities offered. / Lead: Leisure and Youth Services / Ongoing / People with disabilities participating in a range of leisure centre activities.
2.2 Facilitate and support the continued development of education and employment pathways for people with disabilities. / 2.2.1 Established key recruitment strategies to encourage participation for indigenous and under represented groups (Hume City Council People and Culture Strategy 2011) / Lead: Human Resources
Supported by:
Economic Development and Social Development / 2012-2016 / Traineeship opportunities for people with disabilities.
2.2.2 Initiate the ‘Jobs and Skills Council’, encouraging membership from key internal and external stakeholders to advance the ‘Local Jobs for Local People’ initiative to include employment pathways for people with disabilities. / Lead: Economic Development
Supported by:
Social Development / 2012 / Increased economic participation of people with disability. Increased employment opportunities being offered to people with disabilities by employers and business.
Strategy / Action / Responsibility / Timeline / Outcome
2.2.3 Support the implementation of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Structured Training Program to train and casually employ local DHS clients. / Lead: Economic Development
Supported by: Human Resources / 2012 / Number of people attending the training program.
Number of people employed.
2.2.4 Continue to support the Early Employment and Learning Committee 3047 and 3429 to assist people with disabilities to access employment. / Lead: Economic Development
Supported by: Social Development / 2012 / Number of people with disabilities assisted.

“…I’m tired of volunteering my time and it never leading anywhere… I’m capable of working so give me a job so that I can earn money and afford to participate in living”