Bass Coast Shire Council held an Access and Inclusion Forum recently, to help shape the development of a new Disability Action Plan 2021-2025.
Around 65 people with disability, their carers and other key stakeholders who can make a difference in improving the lives of people with disability in Bass Coast attended the forum.
The Forum was structured around three key themes:
- Physical Environment - improving access and safety for people with disability, their families and carers;
- Services and Support - identifying service gaps and priorities for people with disability, their families and carers; and
- Community Environment - identifying issues, opportunities and priorities to improve community connection for people with disability, their families and carers. Areas covered included; social connection and engagement (reducing isolation), recreational opportunities, carer support and emergency management.
Bass Coast Shire Councillor and Chair of the Bass Coast Access and Advisory Committee, Cr Les Larke, said he is proud of Council's ongoing commitment to ensuring access and inclusion for all in Bass Coast.
"Our Committee comprises of a diverse group of community members with disability and family members/carers of people with disability, disability service providers and Council's access officers," Cr Larke said.
"These members advise Council on access and inclusion barriers experienced by people with disability in our Shire and work with us to develop appropriate solutions to address these barriers."
Cr Larke said the Forum provided a great opportunity to hear about Council's previous access and inclusion actions and learn more about the current issues facing people with disability, their families and carers in Bass Coast.
"It was great to have everyone in the same room, to discuss how we can plan for and achieve greater levels of access and inclusion for our community, into the future," Cr Larke said.
