Accessible Information - cambridge.wa.gov.au

Town of Cambridge Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2015-2018 2

Accessible Information: This document gives details as to how the Town of Cambridge (the Town) will improve access to its facilities and inclusion of its services for people with disability in accordance with the outcome areas and standards as stated in the Western Australian Disability Services Act 1993 (Amended 2004).

The Town of Cambridge is happy to provide the DAIP document in an alternative format for anyone who may require it. Alternative formats include:

in an electronic format; and

in hard copy format in both standard and large print; and

in an audio format on cassette or compact disc;

on request, by email; and

on any website maintained by or on behalf of the authority.

Please request an alternative format of the document by contacting the Town of Cambridge on: Phone: 9347-6000 FAX: 9347-6060 In Person: 1 Bold Park Drive, Floreat. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.cambridge.wa.gov.au

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cambridge.wa.gov.au/


Table of Contents

1.0 Forward ........................................................................................................... 4

2.0 Background ..................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Town of Cambridge ..................................................................................... 6

2.2 Functions, Facilities and Programs ............................................................. 7

2.3 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Background ....................................... 8

2.4 People with Disability in the Town ............................................................... 9

2.5 Progress and Planning for better access & Inclusion .................................. 9

3.0 Policy ............................................................................................................ 10

4.0 Progress to date ............................................................................................ 12

5.0 Development of the Disaiblity Access and Inclusion Plan ............................. 15

5.1 Responsibly for the planning & reviewing process .................................... 15

5.2 Consultation methods - Community and Staff ........................................... 15

5.3 Findings of the consultation ...................................................................... 16

5.4 DAIP outcomes and strategies .................................................................. 17

5.5 Responsibility for implementation the disability access and inclusion plan ................................................................................................... 22

5.6 Communication of the plan to staff and people with disability ................... 22

5.7 Review and evaluation mechanisms ......................................................... 23

5.8 Reporting on the DAIP ............................................................................... 23

5.9 Financial implications ................................................................................. 24


1.0 Forward The Disability Services Act 1993 (amended 2004) requires all local governments to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) to assist in planning and implementing improvements to access and inclusion. These plans can benefit many people in the community including people with disability, the elderly, young parents and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Town's DAIP meets the requirements of the Disability Services Act 1993. In 2015 the Town of Cambridge reviewed its 2012 – 2015 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). The Town’s new DAIP 2015–2018 (December 2015 -December 2018) is a key document prioritising strategies and actions to address access barriers and initiatives promoting inclusion, as identified by our community. Consultation was undertaken with The Town's staff and the community, through internal and external surveys and direct communication. Community consultations were promoted through local newspapers, the Town’s Cambridge News and advertising at the Town’s various facilities. ____________________________________________________________________

The Town of Cambridge serves a population of 28,365 (ABS estimated resident population, June 2014) covering 22 square kilometres. There are approximately 11,000 residential properties and the Town is recognised for its many regional parks and recreational facilities.

Town of Cambridge Strategic Plan

In order to reflect its organisational philosophy, Council has adopted the Strategic Community Plan 2013 - 2023.

VISION - Cambridge 'Over the next decade'

Cambridge is a place where things are happening. Stylish new and enhanced development will create hubs of community activity – places where families and friends get together, where business thrives and access is easy. Housing will become more diverse to accommodate people at different life stages and our suburban landscape will enhance its appeal through beautiful green and open streetscapes. The Council is committed to ensuring that the Cambridge community is accessible and inclusive for people with disability, their families and carers. The Town’s Community Development Department along with the Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group will continue to oversee the Disability


Access and Inclusion Plan. The Town will continue to strive to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all and work on delivering the outcomes in this 2015-2018 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.


2.0 Background

2.1 Town of Cambridge

The Town of Cambridge occupies a small part of an ancient land; this land itself was once covered by water and the remnants of this geological area and can be seen in the numerous limestone ridges, outcrops and bodies of water throughout the Town. Unique facilities and features of the Town include Bold Park with the Quarry Amphitheatre, Lake Monger, Perry Lakes Reserve, large metropolitan coastal beachfront (Floreat and City Beaches), the Wembley Golf Complex (36 holes) and Matthews Netball Centre. All traditional outdoor sporting activities and facilities are provided for. The Town is predominantly residential, with localised shopping facilities, some ribbon shopping areas located along Cambridge Street, and a small regional Shopping Centre situated in Floreat. The Town does not have any major commercial or industrial centres. Public transport is provided solely by bus services with railway connections at the eastern end of the Town. This results in a high level of use and reliance on private vehicles. An elected Council is comprised of the Mayor and eight Councillors with the municipality being divided into two wards, the Coast Ward and the Wembley Ward. The Town of Cambridge holds Council meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month commencing at 6.00pm. Localities within the area include:

City Beach

Floreat

West Leederville

Wembley

Mt Claremont (part of)

Daglish (part of)

Jolimont (part of)

Shenton Park (part of)

Subiaco (part of)

Wembley Downs (part of)


2.2 Functions, Facilities and Programs

The Town of Cambridge has many existing facilities, functions and services which support people with disability. Many facilities, functions and services are of a universal nature, also assisting a wider range of people including seniors and those using prams and bikes. These facilities and services include:

The Cambridge Library providing a wide range of large print books, captioned video, local history audio books and audio cassettes; and a home delivery book service for housebound residents.

Domestic rubbish and recycling removal services for people who are unable to move their bins to the roadside and back.

The Wembley Community Centre providing Centre Based and Home and Community Care (HACC) services to eligible seniors and people with a disability who are residents in the Town.

Several parks and reserves have picnic tables and playgrounds which are accessible by wheelchairs and also have accessible play equipment.

Services to property including maintenance and improvement of roads, footpaths, drains, signage, verges and sumps; litter control, graffiti removal and street cleaning; planting and caring for street trees; street numbering; street lighting and fire hazard control.

Services to the community including maintenance and improvement of parks, reserves and gardens, sports grounds and facilities for sporting groups, community centres, aquatic centre, amphitheatre, halls, and beaches; public library and information services; parent and children’s services; environmental health services; youth services; art and cultural activities; events and festivals and seniors services.

Regulatory services including planning of road systems, sub-divisions and town planning schemes; building approval for any construction, addition or alterations to a building; dog control including registration of dogs; and the development, maintenance and control of parking.

General administration services including the provision of general information to the public, the lodging of complaints and payment of rates.

Processes of government including ordinary and special Council and committee meetings, electors meetings and election of Council Members.


2.3 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Background

The table below outlines the history of the Town's Disability Plan's, beginning in

1995.

Action Year

Council adopted the original Disability Services Plan (DSP). 1995

The Town reviewed and updated the DSP. 2004

Amendments (in 2004) to the Disability Services Act (1993) required each Public Authority to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). At the time of the amendments, the Council had already endorsed the Town’s Disability Services Plan and it was agreed that when this plan was due for renewal, a DAIP would be developed in its place, in line with the new requirements of the Act.

2004

The original Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (2007 - 2009) was developed from the DSP and endorsed by Council and the Disability Services Commission.

2007

A review of the 2007-2009 DAIP was completed and the DAIP 2009-2012 was developed and endorsed by Council and the Disability Services Commission.

2009

A review of the 2009-2012 DAIP was completed and the 2012-2015 DAIP was developed and endorsed by Council and the Disability Services Commission.

2012

A review of the 2012-2015 DAIP was completed and the 2015-2018 DAIP was developed and endorsed by Council and the Disability Services Commission.

2015


2.4 People with Disability in the Town

The 2012 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC)1, estimated 4.2 million people in Australia (18.5%) had a disability. Disability was defined as any limitation, restriction or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted or is likely to last for at least six months. Examples range from loss of sight that is not corrected by glasses, to arthritis which causes difficulty dressing, to advanced dementia that requires constant help and supervision. Overall, in 2012, males and females were similarly affected by disability. The prevalence of disability in Australia fell by 1.5 percentage points between 2003 and 2012, while the rate of profound or severe core activity limitation remained constant at 6.3% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2012. In 2011, 857 people or 3.4% of the population in the Town of Cambridge reported needing help in their day-to-day lives due to disability. The Town of Cambridge's disability statistics relate directly to need for assistance due to a severe or profound disability. In 2011, there were 2,129 carers in the Town providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, long term illness or old age. 2

2.5 Progress and Planning for better access & Inclusion

The 2015–2018 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan includes:-

Information on Council functions, facilities and services (both in-house and contracted);

A policy statement about Council’s commitment to addressing the issue of access for people with disability, their families and carers;

Outline of the process used to consult with people with disability, their families, carers, disability organisations and relevant community groups;

The identification of objectives, strategies and actions to address priorities and needs that were identified during the previous and current consultation processes;

Dates and the identification of the positions (or organisational areas) responsible for the proposed actions;

A method of review and evaluation of the Plan;

Information about how the Plan is being communicated to staff and people with disability;

1 ABS - Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2012

2 .ID - Profile ID - Community Profile, Town of Cambridge, 2011


3.0 Policy

Access and Inclusion Policy for People with Disabilities, their Families and Carers

Objective

To state the Council’s commitment to ensuring the Town is accessible and inclusive for people with disability, their families and carers and that ‘reasonable measures’ are taken into consideration in the level of access and inclusion provided.

Policy Statement

The Town of Cambridge interprets an accessible community as one in which all Council functions, facilities and services (both in-house and contracted) are open and available to people with disability providing them with the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities enjoyed by all other people in the community within ‘reasonable measures’.


The Town of Cambridge interprets the term “inclusion” as people with disability being considered, included and welcomed in all areas of the Town’s operations and within the Cambridge community. The Disability Services Act (1993) defines disability as a condition that:

is attributable to an intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments;

is permanent; and

may or may not be episodic in nature.

Disabilities may result in a person having a substantially reduced capacity for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and a need for continuing support services in daily life. Some disabilities, such as epilepsy, are hidden, while others, such as cerebral palsy, may be visible. The Town of Cambridge agrees with the essence of the definition provided under the Disability Services Act (1993) however, the approach from the Council will be broader to encompass the needs of our community. The Council:- (i) recognises that people with disability are valued members of the

community who make a variety of contributions to local, social, economic and cultural life. The Council believes that a community that recognises its diversity and supports the participation of all its members makes for a richer community life;

(ii) recognises that providing complete access may not be possible and beyond ‘reasonable measures’ due to ‘unjustifiable constraints’ based on physical, technical or financial limitations;

(iii) is committed to consulting with people with disability, their families and carers and, where required, disability organisations to ensure that barriers to access are addressed appropriately;

(iv) is also committed to working in partnership with local businesses to improve access to community facilities and services;

(v) acknowledges that it has a responsibility to various legislative frameworks and industry standards;

(vi) acknowledges that to enable some people with disability to use the Town’s facilities, the assistance of a carer may be necessary; and

(vii) to facilitate people with disability to bring a carer, the carer is offered free entry to all of the Town’s facilities and reserves, through the implementation of a formal partnership with the NDS Companion Card Scheme.


4.0 Progress to date: Achievements The Town of Cambridge’s (TOC) 2012-2015 DAIP was reviewed, through various mechanisms including surveys, focus groups, meetings and feedback invited on the activities forecast in the previous implementation plan. As a result of this review the Council noted the following achievements over the past three years:

Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group Feedback:

The Make Aquatics a Terrific Experience (MATE) Club was launched at the Bold Park Aquatic Centre. The MATE club encourages physical activity in an aquatic environment for people who do not always get the opportunity to participate (including people with disability and their carers).

April 2013

The 'Good Business Access Guide' was launched and all businesses in the community were encouraged to improve their disability access and inclusion practices.

Businesses who became 'Good Access Businesses' were Delish Café and Pharmacy 777 Wembley.

May 2013 August 2013

Self-service loan facilities that are wheelchair friendly were installed at the Cambridge Library.

June 2013

Disability access improvements were promoted to the community in the Cambridge News.

July 2013 October 2014

A branding guide was developed with information to assist staff to produce accessible information.

September 2013

A disability, access and inclusion feedback form was included on the Town's website.

October 2013

Disability Access and Inclusion Community Forums were co-ordinated and included guest speakers.

February 2014 August 2014 August 2015 (cancelled due to lack of participants)

A DAIP brochure was developed which was available at the Town's Administration Centre, Out Centre's and on the Town's website to raise awareness of the Town's DAIP strategies in an easy to read format.

February 2014

The Town consulted with a Disability Access Architect regarding the plans of major projects including :

Bold Park Aquatic Centre (opened 28 November 2015)

Wembley Golf Course Hospitality Development.

Wembley Golf Course wheelchair friendly mini golf course (9 holes).

April 2014


City Beach Surf Lifesaving Club building and hospitality development. The opening dates of three facilities other than the Aquatic Centre are yet to be released at this time; however the facilities will all be available to the community in 2016.

Automated doors were installed at accessible toilets at the:

Cambridge Library

The Boulevard Centre.

May 2014 May 2015

A section of the reception desk at the Town of Cambridge Administration Centre has been lowered for easier access for people using a wheelchair.

June 2014

The Cambridge Library has introduced local history audio books including "Dunny Runs, Heroes and Heroines" and "From Limestone and Sandhill's: The Development of City Beach and Floreat".

August 2014 March 2015

Winners of the Town’s Access & Inclusion - Caring in the Community Award 2014 were published in The Post and included on the Town’s website, these were Delish Café and Solstice Café.

November 2014

Access audits were completed by O'Brien and Harrop for 27 public buildings. Some of these recommendations are included in the DAIP 2015-2018.

June 2015

Town of Cambridge staff and Executive completed Disability Awareness training. The training was conducted an Independent Disability Consultant.

July 2015

Town of Cambridge bus stops were upgraded by The Perth Transport Authority (PTA). Funded by the State Government the bus stop upgrade program aims to improve access for disabled or mobility impaired PTA passengers, plus elderly passengers and those with a pram.

October 2015

Empower Golf 'Come and Try' Clinics were held at the Wembley Golf Course. The clinics allowed people of all abilities to trial the Paragolfer and other adaptive equipment.

October 2015

Promotion of TOC events is available in alternative formats on request.

Ongoing 2012-2015

General information about TOC is available in alternative formats on request.

Ongoing 2012-2015

'Have a Chat' social program for young people with disability at the Wembley Community Centre continues to be popular with participants.

Ongoing 2012-2015


A number of different disability and seniors’ programs

(also addressing elderly-related disability) are available

at the Wembley Community Centre.

Ongoing 2012-2015

Living Longer Living Stronger (LLLS) program at the Bold Park Aquatic Centre has seen increasing participant numbers since 2012.

Ongoing 2012-2015

The Town supports the Companion Card scheme where carers/ companions of people with a disability are admitted at no charge.

Bold Park Aquatic Centre

Quarry Amphitheatre

Wembley Golf Course

Ongoing 2012-2015

The Town supports charity events held in the Town's

reserve for Disability and Chronic Illness Disease

Organisations including the Parkinson's Walk, Cystic

Fibrosis Great Stride Walk and the City to Surf event

with the major beneficiary being the ACTIV Foundation.

Ongoing 2012-2015

The Access and Inclusion Working Group continue to meet bi- annually.

2013 -2015 (bi annually )

The Town continues to support the Sussex Street Community Law Service Inc as they provide their advocacy service for people with disabilities from the WCC.

January 2013-December 2015

Community Survey Feedback

Regular events held at the Wembley Community Centre for seniors and people with disability are socially inclusive and encourage interaction.

Wembley Community Centre to be commended on making people feel

welcome and included.

The Foot Golf at Wembley Golf Course was inclusive and fun.


5.0 Development of the Disability, Access and Inclusion Plan

5.1 Responsibly for the planning & Reviewing Process.

In 2015 the DAIP review was conducted by the Town's Community Development Department. Staff and community consultations were undertaken and feedback from this guided the preparation of the updated DAIP 2015–2018 and Implementation Plan.

5.2 Consultation Methods - Community and Staff

As part of the development of the Town of Cambridge’s 2015–2018 DAIP, consultation was carried out to identify strategies and actions to be incorporated into the new Plan.

The consultation was advertised or promoted:

in local newspapers;

on the Town of Cambridge website;

directly to key disability organisations;

through Town of Cambridge services including the Cambridge Library, Wembley Community Centre, the Youth Centre and the Wembley Golf Course;

Consultation activities included:

A Community Survey – available to be completed online, in hard

copy or by telephone, advertised in the local newspapers, on the

TOC website, through posters placed at various TOC outlets and

venues - 15 surveys were returned.

An on-line survey for Town of Cambridge staff – 20 surveys

returned.

A community forum was advertised with only 1 respondent; hence

this person was consulted individually.

Consultation meetings were also held with organisations in the

Town who's core business is working with people with disability or

people with access and inclusion barriers including:

o Disability Services Commission - Local Area Co-ordinators o Ocean Gardens General Manager, who promoted the

consultation and requested feedback through the Ocean Gardens internal television station.

o ACTIV Foundation and; o Telethon Speech and Hearing Institute


Several Focus Group Meetings within the Town of Cambridge:

o Disability Access & Inclusion Working Group; and o Key staff members including Managers.

The Draft DAIP was available for public comment from 21 November 2015 - 28 November 2015. It was advertised on the Town's website and key stakeholders were invited to make comment. The Draft DAIP was available for comment via the Town's website and available in alternative formats on request.

An internal DAIP Working Group including a number of Managers, a Director and key staff from relevant Town of Cambridge departments provided useful information to inform the review of the current DAIP and consultation to refine the recommendations in this report relating to the desired outcomes of the new DAIP.

The staff on-line survey sought staff input on access issues and also included questions relating to their awareness of disability and access and their training needs in this area. Their feedback also informs the recommendations in this report.

5.3 Findings of the Consultation

While the review and consultation noted a great deal of achievement in improving access it also identified a range of barriers that require to be addressed. These access barriers include:

Events may not always be held in a manner and location that best

facilitates the participation of people with disability.

Some processes engaged by the Town may not be as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Location and suitable accessible parking for people with disability is not meeting needs.

The Town’s website requires improvement to best meet the needs of people with disability.

Some staff may be uninformed or lacking in confidence to adequately provide the same level of service to people with disability.

People with disability may not be aware of consultation opportunities with the Town.

Not enough inclusive activities for young people with disability.

Signage is old and not very clear; need to include correct terminology on signs e.g. 'Accessible Toilets', not Disabled Toilets.

Not enough accessible toilet facilities.


Old facilities don't cater for people in wheelchairs or those who have mobility issues.

The identification of these barriers formed the basis for the development of strategies in the DAIP 2015-2018. A DAIP Implementation Plan will be developed which will identify specific tasks and timeframes for each strategy.

5.4 DAIP outcomes and strategies

DAIP Outcomes (as stipulated by the Disability Services Commission) are:

Outcome 1: Services and events People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by, the Town of Cambridge.

Outcome 2: Building and facilities People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of the Town of Cambridge.

Outcome 3: Information People with disability receive Information from the Town of Cambridge in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it.


Outcome 4: Service from staff People with disability receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of the Town of Cambridge as other people receive from the staff of The Town of Cambridge.

Outcome 5: Complaints People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to the Town of Cambridge.

Outcome 6: Public consultation People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by the Town of Cambridge. Outcome 7: Employment People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to obtain and maintain employment with the Town of Cambridge.

The strategies below provide an overview of how the Town of Cambridge plans to meet the required outcomes.

Strategies to meet Outcome 1: Services and events

Council will:

1. Ensure all staff are aware of services, key user groups and funding and

where to refer people.

2. Ensure continual promotion to the community and service providers.

3. Monitor the Town’s Access & Inclusion Policy 2.1.2 to ensure it

supports equitable access to services by people with disability

throughout the various functions of the Town.

4. Ensure that all functions and events organised by the Town are planned

using the DSC Guidelines – Creating Accessible Events.

5. Develop links between the DAIP and other Town of Cambridge

Strategic, Service Delivery and Asset Management plans.

6. Ensure tender documentation for community focused contracts and

sponsorships include information about disability access requirements.

7. Ensure appropriate Policy is in place to provide to Contractors and

Tenderers.

8. Ensure relevant agents and contractors have all the necessary

information on Town of Cambridge’s DAIP and the requirements for

compliance and reporting.

9. Continue to gather feedback on progress of relevant agents and

contractors in relation to DAIP outcomes and report as and when

required to the Disability Services Commission.


10. Create opportunities for local people with a disability and their

family/carer to participate in the Cambridge community.

11. Ensure facilities, functions and services focus on inclusion as well as access (i.e. making people feel welcome).

Strategies to meet Outcome 2: Buildings and facilities

Council will:

1. Ensure that all buildings and facilities are physically accessible to

people with disability.

2. Attend to items with already agreed (where possible) timelines and

completion dates as identified in current and previous Implementation

Plans.

3. Ensure customer service areas are equally accessible to people with

disability.

4. Ensure the new Bold Park Aquatic centre is equally accessible to


5. Ensure all buildings, facilities, rooms and equipment are equally

accessible to people with disability.

6. Ensure access paths, roadways, venue seating, etc, are accessible to


7. Ensure access to facilities including playgrounds are available to people

with disability and their families and carers.

8. Ensure that all premises and other infrastructure related to transport

facilities are accessible.

9. Ensure that ACROD parking – within TOC public car parks – meets the

needs of people with disability in terms of quantity and location.

10. Ensure signage is included in access audits and relevant changes

made, where possible, according to DSC guidelines.

11. Develop strategies to ensure that access requirements are considered

and scheduled as part of major capital works program.

12. Ensure that the appropriate advice is sought where required when

planning and designing any public facilities or undertaking major

refurbishments, during the initial stage of planning.

13. Ensure all buildings, facilities, rooms and equipment are equally

accessible to people with disability.


Strategies to meet Outcome 3: Information

Council will:

1. Ensure flyers on events and activities are easy to read.

2. Ensure voting is accessible to all.

3. Ensure information about all council functions, facilities and services is

readily available in formats that are accessible for people with disability.

4. Improve community awareness that TOC information can be made

available in alternative formats upon request.

5. Ensure that staff are aware of accessible information needs and how to provide information in alternative formats.

Strategies to meet Outcome 4: Service from staff

Council will:

1. Ensure that staff and Councillors are aware of the DAIP and training

needs are met for staff who have identified a specific need, including

those identified in staff consultations: e.g. issues of an ageing

population, ‘hidden’ disability’, disability related legislation.

2. Ensure people with disability are included in delivering training to staff

and Elected Members.

3. Ensure relevant services meet disability access and inclusion

requirements, through consultation with relevant disability and diversity

groups.

4. Ensure relevant Councillors have the opportunity to attend DAIP /

Disability awareness sessions and information relating to DAIP is

included in induction packs or briefing session.

5. Where applicable ensure agents and contractors are aware of the

needs of TOC customers with disability.


Strategy to meet Outcome 5: Complaints

Council will:

1. Ensure the Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group and community consultations continue to provide avenues for feedback for people with disabilities in line with the Complaint Management Policy 1.2.12.

2. Ensure computerised grievance procedures which cater for the needs of the whole community, including people with disability, continue to be implemented. a. Options for making complains include; in person, by letter, fax,

email, via the Town's website, customer service request and Document Management (ECM) index facilities.

Strategy to meet Outcome 6: Public consultation

Council will:

1. Ensure the Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group continues to exist.

2. Ensure that all people can take part in consultation processes initiated by the Town by ensuring meetings and forums held as part of community consultations comply with DSC Guidelines – Creating Accessible Events.

3. Take steps to improve community awareness about consultation processes in place.


Strategy to meet Outcome 7: Employment Council will:

1. Ensure supports are available for the employment of people with

disability.

2. Ensure recruitment policies and processes take into account

accessibility.

3. Ensure, where possible, accessibility of workplaces.

4. Investigate links with disability employment network providers to utilise

their skills and expertise in recruiting and supporting people with

disability in employment.

5.5 Responsibility for implementation the disability access and inclusion plan.

Implementation

Responsibility for monitoring the overall implementation of the Plan will rest with the Town’s Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group.

Managers, or their delegated Officer, will be required to submit progress reports to the Director Community Development and prepare appropriate reports for inclusion on a bi-annual basis to the DAI Working Group and in the annual progress report.

5.6 Communication of the plan to staff and people with disability

The availability of the Plan will be publicised in the local newspapers and disability service organisation newsletters. This will clearly indicate that copies of the Plan are available within the Cambridge Library and on the Town’s website and are also available upon request in alternate formats, including large print, electronic format (disk or emailed), audio or Braille, on request. Its production in alternative forms, that is large print, audio or Braille, will be considered dependent upon demand. A summary brochure of the DAIP will be produced and copies made available at the Town's out centres. Staff of the Town of Cambridge will be advised of the contents of the Plan and the various outcome areas outlined in the Plan which will need to be considered during the course of regular staff meetings and other internal forums. In the event that the Implementation Plan is amended, such amended Implementation Plans will be made available to the staff.


5.7 Review and evaluation mechanisms

Review and Monitoring

The Town’s Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group is to report progress provided in quarterly updates through to the Director of Community Development which can be reported to the Executive Group and Managers.

Evaluation

Once a year, prior to 1st September, the Director of Community Development will arrange to obtain comments and feedback on the annual progress report to be submitted to be Disability Services Commission.

In seeking feedback the Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group will also seek to identify any additional barriers that were not identified in the initial consultation and will amend plans as required.

Review and evaluation mechanisms

The Disability Services Act sets out the minimum review requirements for public authorities in relation to DAIPs. The Town’s DAIP will be reviewed at least every five years, in accordance with the Act. The DAIP Implementation Plan may be amended on a more regular basis to reflect progress and any access and inclusion issues which may arise. Whenever the DAIP Implementation Plan is significantly amended, a copy of the amended Implementation Plan will be lodged with the Disability Services Commission.

5.8 Reporting on the DAIP

The Town will report on the DAIP implementation through two main avenues being the Annual Report and the progress report template set out by the Disability Services Commission (DSC) with the report submitted by 4 July each year. The following will be reported on:

Progress towards achieving DAIP outcomes.

Progress on agents and contractors in accomplishing the 7 relevant DAIP outcomes.


5.9 Financial implications

The Town's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan outlines outcomes and strategies to resolve access issues, priorities and needs within the Town. A number of these outcomes and strategies have associated costs which will be subject to the annual budgetary process and prioritised against other works and projects being undertaken within the Town.

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