FAQ

The Disability Services Act (1993) requires all local government and selected State Government agencies to develop a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP).

 DAIPs assist public authorities to plan and implement improvements to access and inclusion across seven outcome areas: services and events; buildings and facilities; information; quality of service; complaints; consultation processes; and employment. These plans benefit people with disability, the elderly, parents of young children, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Local governments play a vital role in the lives of people with disability because of their broad mandate. Unlike most state government authorities, local governments are multi-functional, with extensive responsibilities and activities across property, community and human service areas. They also have the capacity to make policy choices at the local level.

The 2018 Disability, Ageing, and Carers Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that in Western Australia: 

 An estimated 411, 500 persons (16.4%) reported having a disability.

• 9.4% of all persons with disability reported experiencing discrimination due to disability.
• 7.2% of all employed persons with disability reported experiencing workplace discrimination due to disability.
• 64.1% of persons aged 15-64 years with a disability reported being satisfied with the quality of organised services received.
• 77.5% of persons aged 65 years and over reported being satisfied with the range of organised services received. 
• 85.3% of persons aged 5 years and over with reported disability participated in activities away from home. 
• 13.3% of all persons with disability reported using mobility aids.
• 27.9% of all persons with disability reported using communication aids.
• 7.3% of all persons with disability reported needing more assistance with core activities than currently received.

DAIPs will vary according to the functions and services provided by each authority and the needs of the consumers of the services. However, each plan should contain some basic elements. A DAIP should include:

 A policy statement that incorporates a commitment to furthering the principles and objectives applicable to people with disability, their families and carers by achieving the desired outcomes.

• A policy and procedures regarding the Disability Services Act (1993) requirements around agents and contractors.
• An outline of the authority’s functions, facilities and services, (including in-house and contracted services).
• A description of the consultation process with people with disability and staff used to assist in the preparation of the plan.
• Identification of barriers experienced by people with disability in accessing services.
• Strategies designed to progress towards achieving the seven desired outcomes for people with disability.
• Dates for achievement of the proposed strategies.
• A strategy to communicate the plan to staff and people with disability.
• A mechanism by which people with disability can provide feedback.
• A method to monitor, measure and review results so that the effectiveness of the plan can be evaluated.

The Disability Services Act (1993) states: Not more than five years is to lapse:

• Between the day on which a public authority first lodges its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan with the Commission and the day it lodges a report of a review of the plan with the Commission; or
• Between the lodgement of the report of one review of a plan and the lodgement of the report of another review of the plan.

The City is undertaking public consultation on the DAIP to ensure that we are providing the same opportunities for people in our community with disability. The Disability Services Act (1993) also requires that public authorities undertake public consultation in accordance with the procedure specified in the regulations when preparing, reviewing or amending a disability access and inclusion plan.