Expressions of interest are now open for Ararat Rural City Council's new Disability Action Plan Working Group, which will guide the development of a four-year plan to improve access and inclusion for people with disability across the municipality.
Council is inviting community members and representatives from local organisations with lived experience, or professional expertise in disability inclusion, to help shape the plan and identify practical actions Council can take as a service provider, employer, and community leader.
The Disability Action Plan Working Group will bring together up to 12 members, including people with disability, carers, advocates, and representatives from organisations with specialist knowledge in inclusive practices.
The group will meet regularly over the next 12 to 18 months to consider community feedback, review Council's current practices, and prioritise actions that will inform the draft Disability Action Plan.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison, said the Working Group was an important next step in Council's ongoing commitment to making Ararat Rural City more inclusive. "This is about listening carefully and acting in partnership with people who know, first-hand, what helps and what gets in the way," Dr Harrison said.
"Council wants to build a community where everyone can participate, feel welcome, and have confidence that local decisions reflect the experiences of people with disability, their families, and the organisations that support them."
Community members and organisational representatives interested in joining the Disability Action Plan Working Group are encouraged to complete the online Expression of Interest form on the Engage Ararat website before Friday 19 December.
Alternative formats or support to complete the form are available by contacting Ararat Rural City Council's Customer Service team, ensuring that people of all abilities can take part in this important engagement process. https://engage.ararat.vic.gov.au/eoi-disability-action-plan-working-group
