Kiama Council has marked International Day of People with Disability (3 December) by unveiling our new Disability Inclusion Planning Group. The Disability Inclusion Planning Group, includes community members and people from organisations to represent a cross-section of people with disability.
The community members are Peter Davies, Bek McAlister, Bruce Robins, Merryn Joske, Steve Fox, and Sue Hassler.
Merryn lives in Kiama and is an experienced member of several Council committees, particularly the Access Committee. She has a background in nursing.
Sue is not only the mother of a child with a disability, she has professional experience as a teacher working with students with many different types of disability. Sue lives in Kiama.
Peter is an experienced disability consultant who specialises in advice and support for the deaf community.
Bruce is an architect who lives in Gerringong. His passion for supporting accessibility and inclusion was inspired by an uncle who championed disability access with Canada Bay Council in Sydney.
Steve is a Gerringong local and an experienced member of Council’s access committee.
Bek has 10 years of experience in the disability sector and is a mum of two neurodiverse children. Bek lives in Kiama.
The Disability Inclusion Planning Group will help deliver and promote the accessibility and inclusiveness of Council plans, policies, services, programs and events.
The Group will begin work this month with one of their first tasks to drive the review of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2018 – 2021. The Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which was established three years ago, was the result of five years of community consultation. The Plan reflects Council’s vision for an accessible and inclusive community.
The review is to ensure the Plan continues to progress this vision, by examining the goals and actions set down three years ago and ensuring it is based on the priorities of those living with a disability.
Community consultation about the plan will begin in the new year and a new Disability Inclusion Action will be in place by July 2022.
The current Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2018 – 2021, is available on our website: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/disability
