Roll out of Inclusive SA - SA’s first Disability Inclusion Plan
LG Leader December 2019
Following the commencement of the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) (“the Act”) on 1 July 2018, the first Disability Inclusion Plan – “Inclusive SA“ – was Gazetted on 31 October 2019.
Inclusive SA intends to provide a consistent, State-wide strategy for the inclusion of people with disability in services and activities undertaken by State Government agencies and councils.
Inclusive SA is intended to:
- complement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); and
- support the implementation of the National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020 (NDS) and the principles agreed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Under section 16 of the Act, councils must over the next 12 months complete a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (“DAIP”) which states:
- the measures to be taken to assist people with disabilities access support and services provided by the council;
- how the council proposes to give effect to Inclusive SA;
- intended strategies to support people with disabilities in accessing events, facilities, information, employment opportunities; and
- how the council will address specific needs of people with disabilities in its programs and services.
Councils must undertake consultation on their draft DAIP with people with disability, their families and carers, and persons or bodies representing the interests of people with disability. Councils must also report on progress on their DAIP on or before 31 October each year to the Chief Executive to the Department of Human Services.
A tool kit is being prepared by the Department for Human Services to assist councils with their DAIP’s and the kit is scheduled for release in early 2020. We will keep you updated in this regard.