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Inclusive communities

The Hills Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 is part of Council’s efforts in promoting an inclusive community for all people including those with disability.

The Plan sets out four priority focus areas including:

  • Attitudes and behaviour – building community awareness of rights and abilities of people with disability.
  • Livable communities – increasing participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
  • Employment – supporting and increasing workforce diversity through employment, training, volunteering and work experience.
  • System and processes – communicating and accessing information, providing feedback, improving quality of service and staff training.

Mayor of the Hills Shire, Councillor Yvonne Keane said Council was committed to ensuring that the services and facilities that it provides are as reasonably accessible to and appropriate for all people, including those with disability, as possible.

“As the mother of a child with a disability, and as a board member of a national disabilities services provider, I am enormously proud of this Plan. Even the process of putting the Plan together had been enormously enriching, and I am heartened to see that the elements of inclusion and access are now fundamentally embedded within the DNA of each and every area and responsibility of Council,” Mayor Keane said.

“We are committed to making The Sydney Hills a truly vibrant, inclusive and engaging community and that objective is at the heart of our Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

“It lays out practical actions to address barriers faced by people with disability and how Council can facilitate services and facilities to overcome attitudes, restrictions and obstacles.

“Inclusive communities have at their heart underlying principles that aim to make it easy to get around, give people with disability opportunities to take part in the diverse social and cultural life of our Shire and access meaningful employment, groups and activities.

“I am so proud of this Plan and I thank Council for its commitment to ensuring we have a vibrant and all-embracing community.

“An inclusive Shire benefits everyone.”

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan was developed in consultation with people with disability, disability groups, local sports clubs and the Hills Business Chamber.

The plan addresses barriers to inclusive participation faced by people with disability including behaviour, physical accessibility, greater workplace and community participation, engagement and inclusion opportunities.

Mayor Keane said delivering the Plan will help people with disability who live, work in or visit the Shire experience greater independence.

“We’ve received wonderful feedback and ideas for Council to consider in the evolution of this Plan and our services,” Mayor Keane said.

“This Plan aims to offer people with disability more opportunities, better mobility access and social and economic inclusion.

“It builds on the Shire’s commitment to inclusion, the successes of its previous Plans and harnessing emerging opportunities, ensuring access and inclusion are at the core of all services and facilities the Shire offers.”

The Plan will now be presented to the NSW Disability Council and the Minister for Disabilities, The Hon Ray Williams MP.

Picture caption: Mayor Yvonne Keane pictured with Asher Holland at the recent Livvi’s Place Consultation Playdate.

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