Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) UPDATE AUGUST 2020

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2017-2021 demonstrates Cessnock City Council’s commitment to improving access and inclusion. It identifies what we can do to promote and achieve equality for residents and visitors to the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA).

In developing the plan, we asked the community to share their ideas on ways Council could make it easier for people with disability in Cessnock LGA. The engagement process sought feedback from people with disability, carers of people with disability, family and friends of people with disability and local community groups and service providers.

The actions set out in the plan focus on four key areas nominated by people with disability as being of primary importance to them in creating an inclusive community:

• Develop positive community attitudes and behaviours

• Support access to meaningful employment

• Improve access to services through better systems and processes

• Create liveable communities.

What is the DIAP?

People with disability – the numbers

What have we achieved?

In 2018 the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that there were 4.4 million Australians with disability, 17.7% of the population . Based on Cessnock City’s estimated resident population in 2019 (59,985) , there are approximately 10,617 people living with disability in our city.

Since the plan was adopted by Council in 2017 some of the key achievements include:

1. Expansion of the hearing loop in the Council Chambers to provide greater coverage and improved audio quality for people with hearing aids and cochlear implants.

2. Introduction of the National Relay Service (NRS) as a contact option for Council’s customer service team. The NRS assists Australians who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have speech impairment to communicate with voice callers.

Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) UPDATE AUGUST 2020

3. The new Cessnock City Council website aims to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Accessibility standard to AA level. Some key new website features to improve accessibility include:

• Accessible data tables - assistive technologies (such as screen readers) can interpret information organised in compliant plain text tables more effectively.

• Contrast - colour contrast between website text and the page background to ensure it can be read by users with moderately low vision (who do not use contrast-enhancing assistive technology) and colour deficiencies. The website text has large and wide character strokes to ensure it is easy to read at lower levels of contrast.

• Contrasting hovers - Contrasting hover colours have been included to clearly indicate a page selection for visually impaired users.

• Decorative images have been limited across the site to enhance screen reader outputs. Where images have been included to encourage engagement, full descriptions of the have been included.

• Live chat and online forms to reduce the need for manual interactions (in-person or via the call centre) for our customers with mobility or audio limitations.

• Mobile responsiveness - ensuring our new site is mobile responsive all of our customers can access important government information and services on a small screen.

• Simplified language and reduction of jargon - ensuring all website information is clear and concise i.e. including short phrases, using common words and avoiding jargon where possible.

• Text spacing for maximum readability.

4. Upgrades and improvement initiatives at a number of Council owned facilities to reduce access barriers and increase community participation.

• Cessnock City Libraries – upgrades including height adjustable service desks and self-check units. Cessnock Library has installed a lift and automatic doors to improve access from the car park. The upgrades at Cessnock City Libraries were funded through a mix of Council funding and grant funding received through the Public Library Infrastructure Grant Program and Local Priority Grant Program, both programs administered by NSW Government – Library Council of NSW.

• Bellbird Community Hall – construction of accessible ramp and facilities. These upgrades were funded by Council, NSW Government Community Building Partnership Program and Ability Links NSW.

• Cessnock Youth and Outreach Service (CYCOS) – refurbishment of bathroom facilities (funded by Council, developer contributions and NSW Government Community Building Partnership Program).

• Kurri Kurri Aquatic & Fitness Centre – refurbished family change rooms (funded by Council and

Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) UPDATE AUGUST 2020

NSW Government Community Building Partnership Program)

5. The Department of Planning and Environment’s Everyone Can Play Guidelines have been incorporated into the design criteria for open space areas within Council’s Recreation and Open Space Strategic Plan. The guideline informs the planning, design and management of playspaces to ensure they are inclusive. Bridges Hill Park and Playground, Veterans Memorial Park, Johns Park, Miller Park and Jeffries Park have had upgrades that include accessible pathways, park furniture and play elements. Playgrounds at Cliftleigh Meadows District Park and Wyndham Ridge Park were also installed with accessible elements.

6. A social procurement list has been set up within Cessnock City Council’s supplier list on VendorPanel and a number of Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) have registered. The Cessnock City Council Procurement Policy and Guidelines are currently being reviewed and will reflect the progress made with supplier diversity and how staff can utilise ADEs for goods and services.

7. The ‘Including You’ event tent has been used at Council’s civic events, including Spring Awakening and Carols in the Park. The event tent was provided to Council by Ability Links NSW and is designed to provide a safe and supportive space for people to retreat to when they need some time away from the noise and action of events.

8. The Accessible and Inclusive Event Practice Guide has been developed to assist organisers to plan inclusive events for people with disability. The guide provides an overview of some of the access

Council will be reviewing their current Disability Inclusion Action Plan (2017-21) and developing a new plan which will outline the practical steps Council will take over the next four years to create a more inclusive community for people with disability living in, and visiting, the local government area.

We are asking people with disability, family and friends of people with disability and local service providers to share their ideas on ways Council could make it easier for people with disability in Cessnock Local Government Area.

For more information about how you can be involved go to our Have your say web

page or contact Council’s Community Planning and Development team 02 4993

4100 or vial email at diap@cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Where to next?