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Ensuring the Tweed is more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities will be the focus of a new shire-wide survey launched by Council today.
Findings from the survey will play an important role in updating Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).
The DIAP identifies measures to remove access barriers so the community can be more inclusive of people with disabilities. The plan is currently being updated and will guide Council’s work program for the next 4 years, across 4 key areas, including:
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positive community attitudes and behaviours towards greater inclusion of people with disability
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liveable communities including accessible tourism, access to print and online information and access to the built environment
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supporting access to meaningful employment
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improving access to services through better systems and processes to ensure people with disability can participate.
As part of this review process, Council has initiated a community survey and invites residents and visitors to the Tweed to have their say. Council wants to hear from:
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people with lived experience of disability
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people with a physical or mental health condition who have additional needs
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carers, family and friends of people with a disability or health condition
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disability service workers and organisations who provide direct support and advocate for people living with a disability
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anyone interested in disability access and inclusion.
Council’s Community Development Officer - Ageing & Disability Giselle Benitez Hetherington encouraged local residents to share their views.
“According to data from the 2016 Census, there are about 6,500 residents in the Tweed who identify as a person in need of assistance of a carer, family or friends to go about their daily life,” Ms Benitez Hetherington said.
“Access means you can go where you need to in the community: into buildings, on transport, in parks and to events. It means there are toilets you can find and use. It also means you can find and understand information about important things going on in the Tweed.
“Inclusion means you feel part of the community and treated with dignity and respect as a valued and equal member of society.
“Tell us what you think would make the Tweed a more inclusive community which supports people with disability to participate and achieve their goals.”
To allow people with different abilities to participate, there are many ways to have your say. Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/diap where you can complete the online survey or print the easy-read fillable form. You can also share your stories by adding a photo, or a link to a video to the ideas tool to help get your message heard.
Council is also offering a phone or face to face option to provide feedback for those who may prefer it. You can request to meet via phone, online or face to face by contacting Giselle Benitez Hetherington, Community Development Officer – Ageing & Disability on 02 6670 2440 or email tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au
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