A more inclusive and accessible South Australia

Tomorrow marks a significant date for South Australians living with disability, with State Government agencies and local councils delivering their own Disability Access and Inclusion Plans – many for the first time.

In total 107 plans, 14 above the expected 93, will pave the way for a new era of inclusion and access for South Australian people with disability.

A total of 93 DAIPs were due by October 31. Of those:

  • 69 will be published by the deadline;
  • 23 State Government agencies were required to do a plan and all are on track to be published by the deadline;
  • As of today, the remaining 24 (local council) plans will be completed in the coming weeks;
  • An additional 14 government organisations not required by legislation to develop a DAIP have chosen to do so, bringing the total number of DAIPs to be published by the end of the year to 107.

Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the DAIPS paved the way for a more accessible and inclusive state for all South Australians living with disability.

“Together with local councils and State Government agencies, we are moving forward in delivering the economic and social benefits of a more inclusive state,” said Minister Lensink.

“The development of DAIPs has involved broad consultation across South Australia, giving people living with disability a say in the policies and actions that directly impact them.

“Some agencies are releasing access and inclusion plans for the very first time and the State Government is extremely proud to have driven this historic change.

“The development of DAIPs across the state will deliver new strategies to address barriers for people living with disability and to promote positive action.

“We’re really excited to see the progress in coming years as all arms of government deliver on their plans and continue to set more ambitious goals.”

Councils unable to deliver their plans by the deadline and have assured the Government their plans will be finalised in the coming weeks.

“There’s no doubt it’s been a challenging year for may local councils facing bushfires and a global pandemic – and any councils with unpublished DAIPS will now work towards getting them finalised in the coming weeks,” said Minister Lensink.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is the lead agency for delivering the State Disability Inclusion Plan, known as Inclusive SA, established as part of the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA).

The DHS DAIP includes:

  • Exploring the creation of an app that displays existing and future community services and facilities that are wheelchair and disability access friendly
  • Promoting the Inclusive Play guidelines launched by DHS
  • Creating the Inclusive SA website to provide key resources for people living with disability and the community to raise awareness about disability – set to go live in November.

Minister Lensink said the Inclusive SA website would be launched later this year, where all the plans will be available.

“The Inclusive SA website will house valuable resources and support for disability access and inclusion in South Australia’s state government, local council and community environments,” said Minister Lensink.

“As the State Disability Inclusion Plan continues to grow, so too will this website. With the launch of the Inclusive SA website, we will also deliver on a key action in the state plan for all DAIPs to be centrally accessible at inclusive.sa.gov.au.”

/Public News. View in full here.