The community is invited to review the plan and make a submission or volunteer to be involved in further development and research in this area.  

It is a legislative requirement for all local councils to have a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) in place by 1st July 2017 to help remove barriers and enable people with disability to participate equally in their communities.

The 2017 – 2021 Kempsey Shire Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan aims to provide better access to Council information, services and facilities. The plan will ensure people with disabilities can fully participate in our community.

Council’s Director of Community Engagement, Kathy Oliver, said the DIAP contributes to the delivery of Council’s 2036 Community Strategic Plan and vision of being a ‘Healthy, Wealthy, Safe and Connected’ community.

“The DIAP will guide us in making our services and facilities more inclusive,” she said.

“The plan details what Council will do under the four key focus areas of the NSW Government Disability Inclusion Plan; develop positive community attitudes and behaviours, create liveable communities, support access to meaningful employment and improve access to mainstream services through better systems and processes.

“This DIAP will be further developed through a community consultation and research process. Community consultation will involve a survey and focus interviews with people with disabilities and with providers of aged care and disability services.”

Once adopted by Council the DIAP is required to be submitted to the NSW Disability Council and the Minister for Disability Services.

The DIAP will be on exhibition until Monday 26 June. To make a submission go to www.yoursay.macleay.nsw.gov.au   

For more information phone 6566 3200.