Disability Inclusion Access Planning

Process Overview and Links to Integrated Planning and Reporting

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Presentation overview

1. Introduction: disability defined; benefits of DIAP; demographics, planning context, IPR framework, process overview

2. Internal & community engagement

3. Example strategies, monitoring and evaluation

4. Discussion

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Disability defined

The NSW Disability Network defines disability as “long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

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The big picture Source: ABS 2015 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers

• 1 in 5 (18.3%) Australians with disability.

• ¼ of those people with profound or severe disability (assistance needed).

• 50% pwd were employed vs (80%) pp without disability.

• 1 in 12 Australians reported discrimination (most commonly by employer).**

• 2 in 3 pwd earned less than $320 per week (ABS 2012).

• Australia ranked 27th out of 27 OECD countries for pwd living in or near poverty

(OECD report 2010).

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The case for inclusion

• Human rights.

• Diverse views and perspectives.

• Exclusion disadvantage and discrimination.

• negative impacts on life, including health, welfare, education and employment.

• Employment independence less reliance on government income better living standards better health.

• Is inclusive of and benefits other groups (older people, parents with prams)

• Also makes good business sense.

• Prepares for an ageing population

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Planning context & requirements

Disability Inclusion Act 2014

The Act supports pwd to access:

same human rights as others;

Independence and social and economic inclusion; and

Choice and control.

Council must:

(a)Specify how is has incorporated the UN human rights.

(b) Consider strategies for: (i) access to buildings, events and facilities, (ii) access to information, (iii) specific needs of pwd (person-centred), (iv) employment, (v) access services and the community.

(c) All consultations must be for pwd with pwd (“nothing about us without us”)

(d) Strategies for 4 focus areas.

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DIAP Policy framework

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

National Disability Strategy (NDS)

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (DIA)

An inclusive NSW

NSW Disability Inclusion Plan 1. Attitudes and behaviours 2. Employment 3. Liveable communities 4. Systems and processes

Local Government disability inclusion action planning

Community Strategic Plan

Delivery Program

Operational Plan

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Example DIAP scope

• The Plan considers Council’s services and facilities across each of the four DIAP focus areas.

• The Plan predominantly considers strategies within the context of Council’s roles and responsibilities.

• Where Council has a role in advocacy to other levels of government or other agencies, or

• If there is a clear opportunity to partner with other agencies.

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Links to the IPR Framework

• DIAP focus areas & strategies - best fit within Community Strategic Plan themes.

• DIAP strategies & actions linked to four year delivery program, annual operating plan and resourcing strategies.

• Implementation is reported on in annual report.

Operational

Plan 1 year

Delivery

Program 4 years

Strategies

for

inclusion

Actions

for

delivery

Disability Inclusion

Action Planning or Plan Resourcing

strategy

Financial

planning Workforce

planning Asset

planning

Resource

allocation

Community

Engagement

Strategy

Annual

Report

Engaging people

with disability

Continuous

monitoring

and review

Community

Strategic

Plan

10+ years

Public statement,

vision and

principles for

inclusion

Evaluation

framework

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DIAP: planning process overview 1. Project governance & ownership

2. Research to support the front end

of the Plan: IPR links, background,

framework, etc

3. Demographic profile

• Statistics - the local picture

compared to the bigger picture

• ABS, profile id, National SDAC,

web research

4. Asset and function mapping

• Research, web, inter-agencies or networks, service directories

• Internal staff engagement

5. Engagement

• Internal and external

6. Strategies & actions (links to IPR)

7. Monitoring and evaluation

8. Publish & promote

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Project governance

Type of governance structure

1. Access (inclusion) Committee?

2. DIAP steering or reference group?

Membership? FaCS, Ability Links, Community Advocates, The Disability Trust, CRS, Councillor, Senior Manager, CDO or ADO

Why form a governance structure? Rational:

• Extend the reach of the planning process to include as many people with disability as possible;

• Cover a broad range of issues impacting on people with disability and

• Improve the plan’s usefulness to the local community.

Purpose:

Guide and assist the planning framework, the planning and engagement processes.

Provide links to disability services and groups

Review the plan at key milestones and its implementation.

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Engagement strategy: overview

Community engagement purpose:

Seek information - priorities - suggested improvements from people with disabilities on their participation in community life.

Consider a broad range of issues by reaching a broad range of people.

DIAP reflects local community issues and priorities.

Promote the DIAP and Council’s commitment to disability inclusion to build an inclusive and equitable community.

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Engagement: internal

• WHO?

• Cross functional teams – all functions of Council

• Councillors

• Executive and management teams

• Staff responsible for service or project delivery

WHY?:

• Increase awareness of and ownership over the Disability Inclusion Access Plan to improve its implementation

• Consider existing and potential strategies and actions across all areas of Council.

• Focuse the strategies and actions within Council’s role and capacity.

• Consider resources across Council to develop and implement the Plan.

WHAT?

• Map current initiatives.

• Seek new/potential initiatives

• Links to other Council plans & budgets

• Resourcing strategies

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Engagement: internal

How?

• Research strategies within existing plans.

• Staff meetings: exec or management team meetings.

• Presentations to Council; staff meetings.

• Staff newsletters and intranet.

• Group meetings: limited to three; two hours max; clear purpose & agenda.

• Individual meetings.

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Engagement: internal

Potential barriers

• Lack of staff involvement

• Lack of staff understanding of new DIAP

• Time poor

• Lack of resources

• Limited community planning skills

Supportive strategies

• Approach staff through senior management team

• Keep exec and Council informed.

• Be brief and clear on time commitments, meeting purposes.

• Explain DIAP four focus areas

• Be flexible; engagement methods that suit staff

• Clear workplan

• Work with others: staff; reference group

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Engagement: community WHO?

DIA (2014) requires Councils to engage with - people with disabilities - Aboriginal people - people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds - women and children

WHY?

• Seek information on: specific needs and priorities; barriers to participation in community; ideas for solutions; issues specific to differing cultures and groups that are at a higher risk of disadvantage.

• Opportunity for PWD to influence the direction of their lives through developing a plan that will impact on their lives.

• Tailor the DIAP to suit the needs and priorities of the local community.

• Promote awareness of the DIAP and ownership over its implementation.

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Engagement: community

How?

Through groups and services.

• Direct disability service providers

• Disability advocacy services

• Government & non-Govt agencies

• Peaks and advocates

• Informal networks and support groups

• Multicultural groups and services

• Indigenous groups and services

• Early childhood intervention services

To the broader community • Local print media

• Council newsletter “CityLife”

• Shopping centre stalls

• Council on- line mechanisms – twitter, Facebook, website

• On-line chat via Facebook live

• Scheduled meetings

• Postcards & posters distributed at events, meetings, shops, etc.

• Attend inter-agencies, networks, NDIS sessions

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Engagement: community

Potential barriers

• Limited participation

• Lack of understanding of new DIAP – Four focus areas.

• Limited access to services, agencies, peaks locally

• People are time poor

• Limited accessible venues

Supportive strategies

• Explain new DIAP format

• Involve steering group members

• Promote widely – long lead in

• Work through services

• Provide mix of engagement activities

• Research cross border service with ACT & surrounds – outreach programs

• Assess and promote access at venues

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Developing a DIAP: linked to IPR

Three options:

1. Update your current DAP?

2. Stand alone DIAP with strategies linked to the IPR plans?

3. Integrated within the IPR plans?

• Consider how to easily identify the DIAP elements and link them to the annual report.

• Consider your timing within IPR & amalgamation processes.

Operation

al Plan 1 year

Delivery

Program 4 years

Strategies

for

inclusion

Actions

for

delivery

Disability Inclusion

Action Planning or Plan

Resourcing

strategy

• Financial • Workforce • Asset

Resource

allocation

Community

Engagement

Strategy

Annual

Report

Engaging people

with disability

Continuous

monitoring

and review

Community

Strategic

Plan

10+ years

Public

statement,

vision and

principles for

inclusion

Evaluation

framework

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Stand alone DIAP linked & informs IPR

Strengths

• Detailed focus on disability inclusion & access.

• DIAP information in central location.

• Easily linked to annual report.

• Easy to provide information to the community.

Risks

• Working in isolation of IPR process and resources.

• Linking DIAP to IPR suite in the can be time consuming.

• Need to actively follow through - embed DIAP strategies in IPR plans.

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DIAP stand alone: an example FOCUS AREA 1: DEVELOPING POSITIVE COMMUNITY ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS

Goal: To promote the skills, experiences and benefits that people with disabilities contribute to the community and to promote the social and economic value of diversity and inclusion across the community.

Links to the community strategic plan & delivery plan

Theme 1: Image and Influence

1.9 Promote and encourage an engaged community.

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DIAP Strategies Actions Outcomes Community

Strategic Plan &

Delivery Plan

Operating plan &

Budget

KPI for Annual Report

1.6 Expand on inclusive

community

engagement processes

and activities.

1.6.1 Update the community

engagement policy and toolkit to

include:

A broader range of inclusive

engagement tools and methods;

and

A checklist in the engagement

design process to monitor

distribution to target audiences:

disability, multicultural,

Indigenous, older or younger

people or children.

1.6.2 Produce written materials that

comply with Guidelines for Producing

Clear Print, (2011) Round Table on

Information Access for People with

Print Disabilities.

1.6.3 Research and provide equipment

to improve vision and hearing during

the engagement process.

People with disabilities are

included in Council’s

planning process for

services and facilities.

People with disabilities are

aware of and included in

Council’s services and

facilities.

People of disabilities are

more closely connected to

their local community.

Theme 1: Image and Influence 1.9 Promote and encourage an engaged community.

1.9.1 Update the

community

engagement toolkit…

Budget item 1.620.XX

community

development:

community

engagement

Lead: Manager

Community

Development &

Manager

Communications

Engagement toolkit updated to increase the range of inclusive engagement tools used. % Community engagement printed materials comply with Guidelines for Producing Clear Print, (2011) Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities at http://printdisability.org

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Developing a DIAP: within the IPR framework

Strengths

• Provides access to other Council staff and resources within a larger process.

• IPR process has buy-in across Council.

• Embeds strategies within IPR plans, improves implementation.

• Supports inclusion as core business.

Risks

• DIAP elements are spread across plans.

• Information and focus on inclusion could become lost.

• Limited community planning staff stretched across IPR & DIAP process.

• Need a summary DIAP document for easy access by community & reporting.

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DIAP within IPR: Mayoral Message (CSP)

Contains a statement of commitment to developing an inclusive community and to the requirments of DIAP.

Vision for inclusion (CSP)

The vision statement in the CSP contains a vision for an inclusive community and meeting requirements under the DIAP.

Principles of inclusion: goals, strategies, actions (CSP, delivery, op)

UN principles and rights of people with disability underpin the DIAP goals, strategies, actions and outcomes contained within the IPR plans.

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DIAP within IPR: Delivery and Operating Plans

Key direction (CSP & delivery)

Strategies (CSP & Delivery)

Actions (Delivery & operating)

Outcomes (Delivery & Operating)

Resourcing strategies Finance/HR/Asset

KPI’s Delivery, Op, Annual report

1.9 To promote and encourage an engaged community

Develop regional sporting complex at Jerrabomberra

Include in capital works program Yr. 3.

Stronger community connections through sport and recreation.

1.215.XXX other infrastructure Group Manager City Infrastructure

Community engagement strategy reviewed 2016-17

Review Queanbeyan Tomorrow Community Vision

Conduct community engagement and update vision in Yr. 1.

Community vision reflects interests and needs of the community.

1.830.XXX community vision Group Manager Strategic Development

Queanbeyan Tomorrow Community Vision Reviewed 2016-17

IPR Theme 1: Image and influence: building an image for the future. Goal: To create a strong positive image for the City as a place renowned for its quality of home and business life and loved by residents for its natural setting and heritage for its urban and country mix, multiculturalism, vibrancy and sense of pride.

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DIAP Focus Area 1: Developing Positive Community Attitudes and Behaviours Goal: To promote the skills, experiences and benefits that people with disabilities contribute to the community and to promote the social and economic value of diversity and inclusion across the community.

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Key direction CSP & Delivery Plans

Strategies CSP & Delivery Plans

Actions Delivery & Operating Plans

Outcomes Delivery & Operating Plans

Resourcing Strategies (finance, HR, asset)

KPI’s Delivery/Op Annual Report

1.9 Promote & encourage an engaged community

1.9.1 Expand on inclusive community engagement processes and activities

1.9.1.1 Update the community engagmenet policy and toolkit to include: A broader range of inclusive tools and methods; and A checklist for engagement to reach PWD 1.9.1.2 Produce written materials that comply with Guidelines for Producing Clear Print (2011).

PWD are included in Council’s planning processes for services and facilities and are aware of services and facilities. PWD’s needs are met and can participate in community services and facilities. PWD are more closely connected to their community.

Finance: budget item 1.620.XXX community development: community engagement. HR: Staff training in disability awareness Asset: no resourcing requirements.

Engagement toolkit updated to increase the range of inclusive engagement tools and activities. % community engagement printed materials that comply with Guidelines for producing clear print (2011) Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities. http://printdisability.org

Monitoring and reporting

• Disability Inclusion Act 2014:

• S12 - DIAPs must be readily available to the public & Disability Council NSW.

• S13 - must report on the implementation of the DIAP within in their Annual Reports

• S14 - must review the DIAP each four years.

Why review and report:

• Amend DIAP objectives and actions to reflect achievements and adapt and respond to new inclusion challenges

• Redirect attention and resources to arrears where changes prove difficult to achieve

• Provide accurate and timely reporting

• Meet obligations under the DIA

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Failure to comply with the DIA

Failing to comply with requirements under the Disability Inclusion Act carries significant penalties.

The Disability Inclusion Access Planning Guidelines p 4 acknowledge that “there have been major successes in disability planning over the years, however there is room for significant improvement”.

• The picture presented in the initial data from the ABS 2015 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers provides further encouragement for greater effort in building inclusive communities:

• 2 in 3 pwd earned less than $320 per week (ABS 2012).

• Australia ranked 27th out of 27 OECD countries for pwd living in or near poverty (OECD report 2010).

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Discussion

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