Developing and Reviewing Daips Public Authority Examples

Developing and reviewing DAIPs – public authority examples

Listed below are some examples of projects carried out by public authorities to meet DAIP outcomes.

Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 Outcome 4 Outcome 5 Outcome 6 Outcome 7

DAIP Outcome 1 People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by, a public authority.

The City of Mandurah held its Fun on the Foreshore event as part of the International Day of People with Disabilities and Disability Awareness Week. The event was an opportunity to celebrate Mandurah’s diverse community by promoting access and inclusion, physical activity, services and programs available within the locality. The event received a higher-than-anticipated attendance of about 1,200 people who enjoyed art displays, information and a chill-out tent with acoustic performers, complimentary massages for carers, a roaming magician, free sausage sizzle and demonstrations during the event. The event was a new initiative from the City’s Disability Access Advisory Group after it identified a need within the community and disability sector to bring everyone together to celebrate the continuous work occurring every day. High levels of consultation occurred within the disability sector, ensuring the event reflected community needs and involvement. As a result of the success of the initiative, the council has made this into an annual event.

The Shire of Mundaring’s rubbish collection includes a put-out/put-in service for people with disability. The Shire also developed a ‘think before you park’ campaign designed to reduce the number of cars and bins parked on footpaths, thereby improving safe access for wheelchair users and children.

The City of Fremantle implemented a Youth Access Sport Grant that offered individual grants to assist families with meeting the costs associated with membership fees, special equipment and coaching needs for people with disability. It has also ensured the Meeting Place Community Education Programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The City of Melville’s 2011 Sculpture Walk exhibited a tactile artwork by artist James McLean who worked with members of the Association for the Blind to create the piece. Members of the association attended on opening night and also organised an excursion to visit the exhibition. The Bidi Katitjiny Aboriginal Women’s Trail, built around the concept of the Noongar six seasons, was designed to be a sensory experience and be wheelchair accessible while staying true to the natural environment. Community Partnership Funding has provided a number of organisations that support people with disability, for example: Nulsen and Rocky Bay for the Blue Gum music group, Kids are

1 Kids! Therapy and Education Centre for therapy scholarships, The Mental Health Museum for an exhibition at Heathcote Museum and Gallery, Catch Music for inclusive music sessions and the Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) of the Fremantle Language Centre in Willagee for a sensory motor program.

The Department of Sport and Recreation has financed an Inclusive Sports Funding Program. This has enabled four state sporting associations to implement strategies targeting people with disabilityBowls WA, Netball WA, Football West and Gymnastics WA.

A Health WA initiative has seen Royal Perth Group Complex care coordinators employed in a number of areas across health to improve access to health services for patients with complex health needs. As part of this project funded by Health WA, Royal Perth Group (RPG) has employed complex care coordinators in the area of amputee health to improve access to services for amputees, provide outreach services for amputees, reduce unplanned admissions for amputees and facilitate community services for amputees.

DAIP Outcome 2 People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of a public authority.

In the Shire of Murray, a new heated aquatic facility was completed at the Murray Leisure Centre including an eight-lane lap pool, leisure pool with beach entry, and a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool with ramp entry. Planning commenced to deliver a range of programs in the facility catering for the Shire’s diverse community. In addition to the new aquatic facility, the project also included improved centre access with additional ACROD car bays, a revamped front ramp entry to the reception area and a lowered reception desk. Grant funding was also obtained to purchase and install a pool hoist providing access to the lane lap pool for people with disability.

Murray Leisure Centre hydrotherapy pool

The Shire of Halls Creek built new footpaths in areas that were previously inaccessible. Areas of high traffic were modified to include ramps from the roadside kerb, down to the road, for ease of use by people using wheelchairs and families with prams. Previously, the footpaths ended at the roadside kerb and were not mountable, creating access issues. A small pathway was created opposite the shops in the main

2 street so people can cross the road within close vicinity to the shops. Previously, the only accessible crossing was well away from the main shops and created a burden for those who needed easy access to the shopping areas.

The Kings Park and Botanic Gardens Authority opened the new Marlee Pavilion in April 2011 at the Place of Reflection, which has intimate garden settings via accessible pathways.

Marlee Pavillion Acacia toilets

The authority also renovated the Roe toilet block, providing a new accessible pathway and better access and facilities, as well as completed the new Acacia toilet block with facilities for people with disability. Paths have been built to create better access across lawns. New ACROD bays have been provided in the newly-created Fraser Avenue Circle to allow for accessible parking opposite Fraser’s Restaurant, also giving proximity to memorials. The turning circle in the Forrest car park was modified to allow for more ACROD bays and provide space to drop patrons off in this tranquil area of the State’s Botanic Garden.

Fraser Avenue Circle

The City of Fremantle has installed a Liberty Swing at Gordon Dedman Park in North Fremantle and initiated a special needs program at Fremantle Leisure Centre that has about 10 children enrolled each term (40 children enrolled a year). Access has also been improved at the program pool enclosure with ramp entry and hand railing at the Fremantle Leisure Centre.

Kadidjini Park in Melville has been constructed to accommodate universal access and includes a unisex accessible toilet, ACROD bays and paths throughout. The playground includes a variety of sensory elements such as musical instruments,

3 textured surfaces, bright colours and sculptures. Unisex accessible public toilets have been installed in Bull Creek, Melville and Applecross.

The City of Perth installed a hearing loop into the audio-visual system at The Piazza Community Building and Town Hall.

The Kimberley Development Commission worked closely with community residents, the Department of Housing and other stakeholders to progress three housing-related initiatives:  the Mardiwah Loop Community Housing project  the Kimberley Aboriginal Community Housing project  the re-establishment of the Warmun Community following the March 2011 floods.

As an integral component of these projects, the Commission has worked to ensure effective consideration, consultation and inclusion of people with disability in housing planning, construction and refurbishment. In association with the Commission’s chief executive’s role as Chairperson of the Warmun Community Re-establishment Taskforce, the Commission has worked with disability service providers to ensure that temporary and permanent accommodation for people with disability is disability- compliant and, where appropriate, tailored to suit their individual needs.

The Shire of Busselton bought two beach wheelchairs in 20102011 to provide better access to beach areas for people with disability. One of the wheelchairs is at the Equinox Café at the Busselton foreshore and the other is at the Naturaliste Centre in Dunsborough. Individuals, families and service providers use the wheelchairs regularly.

The Department of Agriculture and Food has made two changes to improve access for customers and staff and installed a path and access ramp to allow easy access to the Office of Shared Services project team building. An access ramp has also been constructed to the Milling Room.

The access ramp to the project team building

Refurbishments were undertaken at the Royal Perth Group’s Ward 1 Shenton Park Campus. These refurbishments took remedial action to improve existing facilities and

4 improve standards to meet current building compliance legislation. Specifically storage space was improved which allowed for clutter removal in corridors, improving access for wheelchairs and walking frames and removing hazards for people with visual impairments.

The Shire of Jerramungup has completed a new accessible toilet block in Bremer Bay following feedback from a group of people with disability who visited the town.

The Shire of Beverley replaced the ablution block at the caravan park and this facility now has a dedicated accessible toilet and shower with ramps. The Shire also upgraded the entrance to the Town Hall by constructing a purpose-built ramp for easier access. It built new units for retirees that include internal and external access for wheelchairs.

The Shire of Plantagenet recently built two new skate parks in Mount Barker and Kendenup. These skate parks have been designed for people of all abilities.

New user of the skate park on their gopher

A long-awaited upgrade to Wilson Park playground commenced recently. The playground has been designed with a Nature Play theme. The Nature Play concept maximises learning experiences encountered through play and provides an effective strategy to improve childhood development opportunities. This interactive playground incorporates conventional playground equipment with some nature-based equipment and plantings with various textures, scents and colours. Incorporated in the design is a tractor structure that has been designed to allow access for a wheelchair. New public toilets were also built and the paths leading to them have been constructed to allow disability access. The toilets are in close vicinity to the Mount Barker Skate Park and the Wilson Park nature playground.

The West Australian Electoral Commission developed a business case and technical specifications for an internet-based voting system that would allow electors with disability to cast their vote online (this is awaiting funding approval). It also contributed to the development of an Automated Telephone Voting Standard as part of the Commission’s contribution to the Electoral Council of Australia and harmonisation of electoral systems. The standard has been designed to assist specific and special categories of electors including those who are blind or have vision impairment, where legislation permits. Development of an automated voting system for use in selected polling places at the next State general election has started. This will allow vision-impaired electors to cast a secret ballot.

5 DAIP Outcome 3 People with disability receive information from a public authority in a format that will enable them to access information as readily as other people are able to access it.

The Shire of Harvey’s website was improved and provisions were made to increase the accessibility of information to the public. Improvements included:  enlarging the standard font with an additional function to allow users to alter font size  the ‘Contact Us’ page now includes details about how people with hearing or speech impairment can contact the Shire through National Relay Service.

The City of Fremantle conducted a review of the City’s website and documents which has scoped the extent of future work to address accessibility issues. In addition, rates notices can now be provided in alternative formats. The standard notice now has larger print and the symbol of access highlights text offering other formats. Rates and other charges and debts can be paid online and the new integrated Project Management software will recognise accessibility as project criteria. The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) provided $1 million in funding for the purchase of playback devices and audio content for public libraries around the country. This was the Local Government Increasing Accessibility Library Initiative. The national launch of the library initiative by Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, was hosted at the Fremantle City Library. All community information records on the Fre- info databases include disability access, toilets and parking. This includes community groups, tourist accommodation, venues for hire and restaurant and café databases.

Health WA has initiated a restructure of all Health WA-related websites. Royal Perth Group will be the first to trial the new website design. Significant work on the website has been completed with final completion due in the 20112012 reporting period. The website will meet the accessibility requirements as required by the State Government’s Public Sector Commission Web Accessibility policy. Implementation of Health WA’s standard corporate style guide has commenced at Royal Perth Group with all brochures, information leaflets and other patient education material to be assessed and approved by staff that specialise in adhering to the style guide. The style guide was developed in consultation with relevant organisations, including the Disability Services Commission, to ensure all material is presented in a manner that is accessible to the vision impaired. Their standard includes common print size and font size and the use of colour to ensure ease of reading.

The City of Melville’s educational DVD resource 6six mates, six stories, which deals with issues faced by adolescent boys, has been captioned for hearing- impaired young people. The recently-produced educational resource The Gathering, which deals with adolescent binge-drinking, is currently being captioned. In addition, access information for facilities gathered through the You’re Welcome project has been linked to the City’s online map page.

6 DAIP Outcome 4

People with disability receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of a public authority as other people receive from the staff of that public authority.

The City of Perth undertook a DAIP training project resulting in:  a total of 228 employees and volunteers attending some form of disability awareness training  38 per cent of established staff participating in the program  88 per cent of all new employees participating in the disability awareness induction program  19 per cent of the workforce attending an access workshop  38 per cent of registered volunteers attending the access workshop on customer service.

The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board’s new website has greater accessibility.

Polytechnic West is developing a product called Toolbox for Success to give lecturers information on training and assessment strategies that enable students with disability to demonstrate their ability in the training environment.

In June 2011, Town of Mosman Park staff received specialised training in customer service, focusing on awareness of the needs of people with disability, to ensure all customers receive consistent service levels. Mental Health Commission staff received disability awareness training, which was provided by Disability Services Commission staff as a ‘lunch-box’ session. City of Melville employees regularly meet people with disability and advocates on site to address any access concerns and make improvements when possible. One example is recent upgrades to the Heathcote playground to accommodate the needs of a user with vision impairment. Improvements included the installation of visual markers on all steps and limestone boarders to create a greater colour contrast.

The Department of Sport and Recreation funded a development of a Train the Trainer package to increase the skill level of fitness professionals who work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Royal Perth Group (RPG) provides information about its DAIP to all new staff at induction. Equitable access and absence of discrimination of any person on any grounds is embedded in Health WA’s Public Patient Charter and RPG values.

Shire of Mundaring supervisors liaise with training coordinators to address any access issues including literacy, numeracy, hearing or sight impairment of employees undertaking training.

7 DAIP Outcome 5

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to a public authority

The Town of Mosman Park staff received training in customer service that incorporated receiving complaints in relation to access and inclusion. The council’s complaint system is open to all residents and ratepayers and can be made through a number of mediums such as email, telephone and in person.

The Royal Perth Group embedded strategies in its complaint management policy. Several clinical and equipment complaint issues have been resolved for people with disability, due to effective resolution of complaints, which have improved outcomes for those individuals.

The City of Cockburn’s customer request system requires officers to respond to complaints within a designated time. Complaints can be directed to the customer contact centre or emailed. The City provides the National Relay Service (NRS) for people with hearing or speech impairment upon request and with prior arrangement. The City’s customer contact centre has NRS-trained staff who are familiar with communication procedures with customers via a relay officer. Auslan signing interpreters can be provided by the City to help people with hearing impairment. A disability access and inclusion officer is available to provide further information to support people with disability, their families and carers in making complaints.

The C Y O’Connor Institute developed a complaints guide in easy English called ‘It’s Okay to Complain’.

The Shire of Mundaring distributed an access and inclusion questionnaire requesting feedback on issues and barriers within the shire. This feedback was then included in the review of its DAIP.

The Disability Services Commission has released a new brochure ‘Help us to help you’ that aims to provide high quality services to people with disability and requests feedback about services, including any complaints. The Commission has a compliant resolution service to respond to concerns raised by people with disability and by carers. There is an option to contact the Consumer Liaison Officer at West Perth by telephone, including freecall and TTY, or by email. Program managers act as local Consumer Liaison Officers in the metropolitan offices.

8 DAIP Outcome 6

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by a public authority.

The Great Southern Institute of Technology, in consultation with community agencies supporting people with disability, conducted a Certificate I in Hospitality training course that was designed to meet the needs of people with disability. The students were involved in the course planning and development, including visits to other cafés and restaurants, work experience and cooking selections. Participants developed skills and gained knowledge and confidence. All students were successful in completing the training. Several graduates obtained part-time employment and one student gained a hospitality traineeship.

Students in the kitchen

The Kings Park and Botanic Gardens Authority, in preparation for the Rio Tinto Naturescape, consulted with more than 40 groups about this new facility for families to connect children with nature. Access will be possible to much of the site. New ACROD parking space will be provided close to the entrance and there will be universal access toilets in the new toilet block. Extensive consultation has been carried out to deliver a suitable education facility for all ages with good building access and sustainable design elements. New parking and drop-off facilities to the building and surrounding facilities will be included with extra ACROD bays.

The City of Fremantle has developed a Community Consultation Framework that will ensure people with disability, their families and carers are consulted regarding DAIP progress.

The City of Melville has used online community forums as a new method of engagement this year to make consultations more accessible to people in a safe discussion space. A variety of access works have occurred using the knowledge of local people with disability. For example, during the car park upgrade at the Brentwood shopping area, a regular customer who uses a wheelchair met engineers onsite to discuss improvements.

The Department of Sport and Recreation provided consultancy to three disability- specific organisations including Wheelchair Sports WA, Inclusion WA and the

9 Western Australian Disabled Sports Association for the Organisational Sustainability Program. The department also established working parties between state sporting associations and the Disability Service Commission directorates to develop communication and engagement models that will increase participation of people with disability in community sport and recreation in a Sports CONNECT program.

Outcome 7 People with disability have the same opportunities as other people regarding employment practices (recruitment and retention) by a public authority (subject to future planned amendment of the Disability Services Act).

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) undertook an initiative by the Facilities Services Branch to make Environmental Officer Adam Ashby’s work more independent. Due to a predisposed medical condition, Adam was unable to use the accelerator of a standard vehicle due to a disability with his right leg and foot. This resulted in Adam relying on colleagues to accompany him on field trips. DMP’s Facility Services General Manager initiated action to modify one of the four-wheel- drive (4WD) pool fleet vehicles to provide the flexibility of shifting the accelerator pedal from right to left. This modificationapproved by the Department of Transporthas enabled Adam to drive a 4WD pool vehicle. This has since given him the independence he requires to conduct field trips as part of his regular duties in ensuring environmental compliance. A unique feature about the modification of the accelerator is that when Adam is not using this pool vehicle for work-related trips, other staff can continue to use the vehicle with its accelerator pedal in the normal position.

Modified accelerator

Western Power took the initiative to introduce a seventh outcome to its DAIPemployment. Western Power recognises the diversity of the community in which it operates and is committed to having a workforce profile that reflects this. As part of this outcome, strategies include increasing the number of employment opportunities for people with disability during the current DAIP period. This has involved consulting with and promoting vacancies through the National Disability Recruitment centre, as well as implementing diversity training to all employees.

The City of Melville’s Volunteer Resource Centre has referred 39 clients with disability to volunteering positions over the past year and has seen an increasing number of clients with disability self-refer.