Disability Action Planning
What is a Disability Action Plan?
The NSW Disability Service Act 1993 requires that all NSW State Government departments have a publicly available Disability Action Plan.
A Disability Action Plan (DAP) captures each department's commitment to people with disability on improving access to services, facilities and jobs in the public sector.
Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), Department of Family and Community Services NSW provides oversight and leadership for disability action planning across NSW Government departments.
Why is it important?
People with disability have the same rights to access and participation as other people in the community.
The NSW Government's NSW 2021 plan, Stronger Together and the National Disability Strategy all promote community inclusion for people with disability.
Disability Action Planning is underpinned by the NSW Disability Service Act 1993 and Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).
What are the policy requirements for Disability Action Planning?
The Guidelines for disability action planning by NSW Government agencies provide guidance for departments in the development and compliance of their DAPs. They list the outcomes against which departments need to plan.
NSW Government departments focus on five outcomes in their DAPs that will support inclusive services, access and participation and reduce barriers for people with disability:
- Outcome 1: Identify and remove barriers
- Outcome 2: Information and services in a range of formats
- Outcome 3: Accessible buildings and facilities
- Outcome 4: Participation in public consultations, advisory boards and committees
- Outcome 5: Employment participation
- Outcome 6: Influence other agencies and sectors
- Outcome 7: Specialist and adapted services
The Guidelines are available in a variety of accessible formats.
What help is available for departments to plan, implement and report on DAPs?
Training for those involved in establishing a DAP is available online.
For further assistance:
- Phone the DAP Info Line at (02) 9377 6431; or
- Email: dapunit@facs.nsw.gov.au
More information
The Australian Human Rights Commission published an overview of the history and aims of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 called Don't judge what I can do by what you think I can't: Ten years of achievements using Australia's Disability Discrimination Act.
The Equal Employment Opportunity website has a range of information and resources to assist agencies to increase employment assistance of people with disability, including advice on adjustments, resources available and the Employable Resource Guide.