City of Darwin has set a bold vision for the future, to be a capital city where inclusivity shapes every space, service and opportunity, building a community where people of all abilities are supported to participate, connect and thrive.
To achieve this, City of Darwin has introduced the Access Strategy 2025-2030, a five-year roadmap designed to reduce barriers and create opportunities for people with disability to engage with every aspect of city life.
The strategy recognises that disability is not defined by individual impairments, but by barriers created in our physical, social and attitudinal environments. By removing or reducing these barriers, we can enhance our city into one where the skills, achievements and contributions of the 9.3% of the population living with disability are recognised, celebrated and supported.
Building upon significant work already underway and developed with guidance from the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (AIAC) and through extensive collaboration with people with disability, including the creation of inclusive public facilities such as pools and parks, the strategy reflects both community aspirations and City of Darwin's commitment to creating an inclusive and thriving capital city.
"Darwin is developing, and inclusivity must grow with it. This strategy ensures accessibility is built into our city's future from the way people move around, to how they connect, communicate and are recognised," said City of Darwin CEO, Simone Saunders.
"Every individual has a different experience of disability, and I want to thank those who shared their stories and feedback that were central in shaping the Access Strategy 2025-2030 and the future of Darwin," Ms Saunders added.
Recent inclusive initiatives include the Casuarina Aquatic Leisure Centre that was recognised as best practice in accessible pool design with zero-depth entry and multiple inclusion features; the Disability Capital Works Budget and the Sport4All program that have created more opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport at both school and club level. These projects highlight the momentum already underway, while the new strategy provides the roadmap to take inclusivity even further.
The Access Strategy 2025-2030 is structured around four focus areas.
Examples of what the community can expect from each focus area throughout the five-year plan:
Participate: Provide quiet spaces, sensory areas, and respite spaces at events and facilities where possible, encourage applications from people with disabilities for employment, traineeships, and volunteer roles; and encourage workplace culture that celebrates diversity.
Navigate: Reviewing and refining the Disability Capital Works budget allocation and approvals process, ensuring all project control groups include at least one member with accessibility expertise, and design and develop new infrastructure and public spaces in line with best practice universal design.
Communicate: Promoting existing accessible facilities, developing accessibility guides across community facilities, delivering public awareness campaigns to educate the community on accessible facilities, and exploring and investing in technologies to assist people with disabilities in navigating the city.
Recognise: Identifying opportunities within the public art program to commission works by artists with disability, enhancing promotion of the Lord Mayor Awards Program, including year-round recognition of award winners; and trailing a guest speakers program delivered by people with disability.
