At Latrobe City Council's November Council Meeting, Council endorsed the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-25.
The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-25 draws strategic direction from the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2022-25 and sets the direction for Council to embed access, inclusion and equity principles across service delivery and the community to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for people with a disability.
The aspirations of people with disability and their family, friends and carers were captured during the extensive consultation for the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.
Feedback was sought and incorporated in the plan's development, with the Latrobe City Council Disability Access and Inclusion Community Engagement Group a key stakeholder. Additionally, a focus on young people with disability, through the VicHealth Local Government Partnership, and older people through the development of the Ageing Well Latrobe Action Plan 2022-26 helped inform the Plan.
The Plan focuses on access and inclusion for people with disability with priority areas Safe, Healthy and Active, Resilient and Supported, and Natural and Built Environments aligning with Council's Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Kellie O'Callaghan said Latrobe City Council is committed to making our community a better place to live, work and visit for people with disability, their families, friends and carers.
"The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan aims to improve access, inclusion and social connectedness of people with a disability which will be implemented by a series of annual actions," Cr O'Callaghan said.
"To ensure our work continues to reflect the needs and aspirations of our community, we will evaluate and review priority actions on an annual basis in consultation with our partners, stakeholders and most importantly people with lived experiences of disability.
"I would like to thank those involved in the development of this plan, particularly our Disability Access and Inclusion Community Engagement Group, who generously shared their time, experience and insights."
The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan can be viewed at: www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/socialinclusion
