Disability Action Plan

Introduction

Technical Aid to the Disabled (SA) Inc. (TADSA) aims to provide services and facilities that are accessible to all people with disabilities and those caring for or involved in the welfare of people with disabilities.

The development of a Disability Action Plan has identified opportunities to enhance TADSA’s services and facility planning and provision, and eliminate barriers preventing participation by, and access to, people with disabilities.

This plan supports the establishment of a community that includes people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, promotes recognition and acceptance and values participation and contribution.

In addition to TADSA’s commitment to improving service and facility planning and delivery for all people, the need for compliance with State and Federal legislation and various codes and guidelines is also mandatory and has been a catalyst for an informed development of the Disability Action Plan.  The most relevant of these include:

• Building Code of Australia (BCA); (Refer to Internet site)
• Australian Standards for Access and Mobility (AS 1428 Suite of Standards); (copy available in TADSA office)
• Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (State); (Refer to Internet site)
• Disability Services Act 1986 (State)  - copy available in TADSA office
• Disability Services Act 1993 (Federal) – copy available in TADSA office

The TADSA Disability Action Plan will be lodged with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, which is responsible for administering the Disability Discrimination Act and handling complaints relating to it.

The Disability Action Plan will be evaluated regularly by the Management Committee to ensure it keeps abreast of and reflects changes within the Government and local community.

Disability Discrimination Act 1992

The Disability Discrimination Act came into effect on 1^st March 1992.  It provides uniform protection against unfair or unfavourable treatment for people with a disability in Australia and seeks to fill in the gaps in State and Territory legislation.

Disability is broadly defined and the Disability Discrimination Act provisions apply to a wide range of life activities including:

• access to premises used by the public;
• provision of goods and services;
• employment;
• education;
• communication and
• administration of Commonwealth laws and programs

TADSA has a responsibility under the Disability Discrimination Act to provide equitable access to services and to premises used by the public.

The Disability Discrimination Act seeks to stop discrimination against people with any form of disability including:

• physical;
• intellectual;
• sensory;
• psychiatric;
• neurological;
• learning disabilities or developmental delay.

The spirit and intent of the Disability Discrimination Act is one of inclusion.  It is about acknowledging that organizations which provide for the needs of the local community, including people with disabilities, in their perception of that local community.

Benefits of an effective Disability Action Plan

There are a range of benefits for TADSA, highlighted by Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, in developing an effective Disability Action Plan, which include the following:

• elimination of discrimination in an active way;
• improvements to services in general;
• enhancement of organisational image;
• reduction of the likelihood of complaints being made;
• increasing the likelihood of successfully defending complaints;
• assisting in avoiding costly legal action;
• allowing for a planned and managed change in business and services; and
• opening up new markets and attracting new volunteers and clients.

A Disability Action Plan will also be effective in ensuring compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act if it convinces complainants and ultimately a Hearing Commissioner or the Federal Court that it:

• demonstrates commitment to eliminating discrimination;
• shows clear evidence of effective consultation with TADSA staff, volunteers, clients and stakeholders;
• has priorities which are appropriate and relevant;
• provides continuing consultation, evaluation and review;
• has clear timelines and implementation strategies; and
• is being implemented.

What the Disability Action Plan covers

TADSA’s Disability Action Plan, is primarily about service planning, delivery and facilities and does not cover the range of issues outside TADSA’s control or mandate.

TADSA’s current commitment

TADSA is committed to providing a disability service in relation to all disabilities and to people of all ages.

Physical access

TADSA will ensure that office access meet accessibility requirements to accommodate people of all abilities.

Communication

TADSA has implemented a number of communication tools to ensure all staff, volunteers, clients and stakeholders receive important and relevant information.

• 3 monthly newsletters
• 3 monthly technical newsletters to TADSA technical members
• Annual Report
• Access friendly Website and to be developed to A level accessibility rating for people of all abilities.
• Public Relations Officer
• TTY (teletypewriter) is available for people with a hearing impairment
• Access to interpreters is available upon request.
• TADSA’s website is access-friendly

To continually improve communication to members of the community, TADSA will investigate options to make the Internet site easily accessible with relevant features for people with disabilities.  Fact sheets on all TADSA’s services will also be made available and provided in alternative formats.

Policy Objectives

View our Policy Objectives here