Western Australia’s public authorities have again achieved 100 per cent compliance in progress reporting on their disability access and inclusion plans.
Under the Disability Services Act 1993, 207 public authorities across the State were required to submit a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) progress report in 2019-20.
The report highlights the innovation and progress public authorities have made as they continue their leadership and commitment to advancing Western Australia as a welcoming and inclusive community.
Agencies required to report include local and State Government agencies, tertiary education providers and other statutory authorities.
The Minister’s Progress Report tracks the ongoing commitment of public authorities across WA to using innovation and creativity to address issues of access and inclusion.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to new ways of improving access and inclusion, such as progressing the establishment of Auslan and Easy Read to ensure authorities were able to communicate effectively to all people.
The State Government announced earlier this year that its agencies must commit to a minimum five per cent target for employing people with disability by 2025.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“People with disability, like all Western Australians, have the right to expect that our community provides equal or equitable opportunities across life, from access to public places, our environment, events, education and employment.
“Like many organisations, public authorities experienced major challenges in their operating environment during 2019-20 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nonetheless, their commitment to working in partnership with the community helped ensure people with disability were well informed and additional supports were available where and when they were needed.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see many State and local government authorities converting their access and inclusion initiatives into permanent, embedded ways of working.”
