Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2007-2011

Executive Summary

The Department of Culture and the Arts (the Department) Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2006 – 2011 has been developed to ensure Department services, information and facilities are accessible for people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers. The plan provides a strategic framework to identify areas where access and inclusion can be improved to meet the growing needs of all Western Australians.

This report contains the following:

• information on the Department’s facilities and services (both in-house and contracted)
• a policy statement about the Department’s commitment to addressing access for people with disabilities, their families and carers
• a description of the process used to consult people with disabilities, their families, carers, disability organisations and relevant community groups
• the identification of objectives and strategies to overcome barriers that people with disabilities addressed through the consultation process
• expected timelines and persons responsible for reporting on and implementing the proposed strategies
• a method of review and evaluation for the plan

The Disability Services Act 1993, states that all public authorities are required to develop and implement a DAIP. Throughout the development of the plan, the Department has ensured the knowledge, skills and experiences held within the disability sector be incorporated to meet the requirements of the Act and compliment the key values of an inclusive arts and cultural sector for all Western Australians to participate in.

The plan has been developed in consultation with the Department’s Disability Services Planning Committee, staff, key stakeholders and people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers. In April 2007, the Department held public consultations which called upon the arts and disability sectors to share arts, access and inclusion issues important to
them and important to shaping and addressing the needs of the wider community.

The depth and range of comments were incredible! From practical information on payment of grants to artists with disabilities, to turning circles in accessible toilets, and staff disability awareness training; the result is a plan that will guide the practical implementation of strategies to address physical, attitudinal and systemic barriers to participation.

Within the plan are seven outcomes with underlying strategies that will guide the development of individual tasks which will be incorporated into annual implementation plans.

The Department’s Disability Services Planning Committee (DSPC) is responsible for the development, evaluation and implementation of the DAIP. Comprising members of the culture and arts portfolio and two members representing people with disabilities as customer representatives, the Committee is an active working group driving the delivery of enhancements to the Department’s disability access and inclusion.

Please contact the Department for a copy of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2007 – 2011.