Disability Action Plans

What is a Disability Action Plan?

Disability Action Plans are a good tool for organisations to demonstrate how they will reduce the risk of people being discriminated against on the basis of their disability by making their buildings, workplace and services accessible.

Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia all have legislation requiring government departments and public authorities to develop disability action plans.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of the Convention is 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”.

As a society we all have an obligation to ensure people are not discriminated against because of their disability and are afforded the same opportunities as other members of the community.

Preparing your Disability Action Plan

Our Disability Access Consultants are experienced in developing disability action plans for government departments, businesses and community organisations.

We can help your organisation develop a realistic plan personalised to your organisation.

A Disability Action Plan also enables an organisation to meet its obligations under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992. The DDA (s61) requires action plans to:

• Review current activities and identify barriers by consulting with people with a disability.
• Develop strategies, policies and programs to address the identified barriers.
• Set goals and targets that are measureable and achievable.
• Set time frames for when the goals and targets will be reviewed.
• Identify who will be responsible for implementing each of the strategies and how progress will be reported.
• State how the action plan will be communicated to all stakeholders and identify any specific training or support required for staff.