HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-02-19 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

State Disability Inclusion Plan

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:11): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding the government's commitment to create an accessible and inclusive community for all South Australians. Can the minister please provide an update to the council on the progress of the State Disability Inclusion Plan?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question and for her interest in this area. What we do know, for people with disability, is that there are many barriers to inclusion that they can experience for a range of reasons, whether those are physical barriers, issues of attitude, a whole range of things which can mean that people with disability don't have the opportunity to lead the full lives that everybody else does. That is something that we are committed to addressing.

In terms of funding for support services, that has been taken on by the National Disability Insurance Agency which has a role in terms of working with individuals to determine what their life goals are and how supports can be best placed to assist them to achieve those life goals. The South Australian government is committed to disability inclusion. We published our first Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-2023, Inclusive SA, on 1 November, and that was launched by the Premier.

This important plan paves the way for a whole-of-government approach to improve access and inclusion for all South Australians living with disability. In implementing Inclusive SA, we will continue to consult with community and collaborate across the state government agencies and local councils to achieve this vision. All of these agencies and local councils are required to develop, consult and publish their access and inclusion plans by 31 October 2020. With this in mind, the Department of Human Services has published a guideline and template to support state authorities in this process with workshops being held in March.

We published the guideline on the Inclusive SA website on 10 February—quite recently. A community practice will be established to enable state authorities to share their knowledge and examples of best practice and we will continue to monitor and report this framework against the state plan and the National Disability Strategy.

I understand that local councils have appointed a project officer to lead the development of their own action and inclusion plans and will also establish a community practice. There are a number of councils that I think are well recognised for best practice in terms of inclusion, including the City of Adelaide, the City of Playford, the City of Salisbury, West Torrens, Campbelltown, a range of councils. I apologise to those I may have omitted that are involved in this space because they have been very proactive in providing leadership.

We also have, of course, the inclusive play guidelines, which have been very welcomed by stakeholders. Councils, schools, childcare centres and the like can access those to ensure that they have inclusive playgrounds. I was pleased to read recently that the Thorndon Park plan, which is within the city of Campbelltown, is looking at inclusive elements within its redevelopment. I look forward to updating the chamber as this progresses.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT