MidCoast Council has launched an online survey to help identify ways to improve accessibility and inclusiveness across the region for people with disabilities.
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The survey covers areas including communication and education, access and housing, employment and transport, and information and technology for Council-owned property and services, public areas and privately-owned property.
Council’s community strengthening co-ordinator Lyndie Hepple said the survey is open to everyone.
"In particular, we'd like to hear from people with disabilities, their carers and disability service providers about the main barriers they experience in terms of access and inclusion in the MidCoast area. That feedback will help us to plan for improvements,” she said.
The survey is the first step towards meeting the strategic objectives of the council's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which was adopted in June 2017, following community consultation.
"Now we are checking in to better understand the experiences of people living with disabilities in our region,” Ms Hepple said.
The DIAP is a four-year plan that provides strategies to improve accessibility and inclusiveness for everyone in the community.
In 2008 the Australian Government committed to implementing the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities "to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity".
The fulfill this commitment, the NSW Government introduced the Disability Inclusion Act (2014), which required all councils in NSW to have a DIAP by June 2017.
Council's DIAP is available on their website.
Complete the survey before Wednesday, January 31 at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/DIAP or call 6591 7222 during office hours to complete the survey over the phone.
