A city that celebrates diversity, is welcoming and puts plans into action that supports everyone in our community, is a key focus of Wollongong City Council.
That's why we're seeking community feedback on our updated draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2020-2025. This draft Plan sets out how Council will continue to support and enable people with disability to participate in our community.
It builds on the work of our ambitious 2016 Plan which listed actions and key objectives that looked at improving how we do our business and how we can promote and support the inclusion of people with disability who live in, or visit, our city.
The 2020 draft Plan lists updated strategies and actions that we are committed to delivering over the next five years and provides guidelines on how we will monitor, evaluate and measure our success.
"Over the past four years we've come a long way in considering people with disability in our day-to-day functions and in our decision making processes,'' Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
"We've developed and implemented a Public Toilet Strategy, the Beach and Foreshore Access Strategy and completed audits of accessible parking, bus stops, bus shelters and our footpath conditions. In addition, we have developed a Walking, Cycling and Mobility Reference Group, and a number of key staff have completed Easy Read training. Plus, at a practical level, we have upgraded four accessible public toilets, installed adult lift and change tables at Stuart Park and Unanderra Pools and accessible barbecues and picnic shelters at Stuart Park and Helensburgh.
"This draft Plan considers what we're going to do next to build on these achievements and our focus on creating a more equitable and accessible city for people. Some of the planned actions include building a fenced playground in the southern suburbs, using the data from footpath and shelter audits to prioritise improvement works and providing employment pathways for people with disability.''
The draft Plan will be on exhibition until Wednesday 5 August and everyone is invited to provide feedback, comments and suggestions through the Join the Conversation page on Council's website. It will be joined on exhibition by Council's draft Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Policy which sets out the organisation's approach to proactively supporting diversity, encouraging inclusion and advocating for belonging for all in our community.
"Together these documents demonstrate how Council is prioritising actions that ensure our city is welcoming and inclusive to everyone. It's important the Policy and Plan are considered together as the Policy guides the Plan and the Plan demonstrates how we are looking to implement the Policy. They support each other,'' Cr Bradbery said.
"The draft Policy will guide the decisions of Council, it highlights our focus and shows the types of services we can provide for our community. The draft Plan shows what we're looking to do, and how we will get it done. On a personal level, I'm very proud of both the draft Policy and the draft Plan as it gives a very clear indication of what we what for Wollongong as a community and our priorities.''
Feedback closes Wednesday 5 August 2020.
