Disability Access and Inclusion Plan

Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan aims to help make our communities more accessible and inclusive, so people with disability have the same opportunities as everyone else.

At council our role includes:

• making information easy to read, understand and find
• making buildings, facilities and parks easy to move around and use
• making adjustments that help people participate in programs and events
• being helpful, flexible and supportive in our approach to customer service.

By removing barriers to inclusion, Council aims to create a city built on fairness and respect and is safe and welcoming for everyone.

Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) is a legislated document under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018. It contains the actions that council will take to improve access and inclusion in the City of Marion.

The DAIP must be aligned to the State Disability Inclusion Plan which includes mandatory considerations for councils. The State Plan is aligned to Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031. The new State Plan is currently being completed and is expected to be gazetted August 2025. After this time councils have 6 months before they must complete their own DAIP, this is expected to be February 2026. Until this time the City of Marion Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2024 is still valid.

The DAIP is a four-year plan and must be reported annually (calendar year) to the Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS collate the information from all councils and other agencies to prepare an annual achievement report for the state.

Disability can mean different things to different people.

Some people see disability as part of who they are.

Some people think disability happens when places and systems do not meet people’s needs.

Some people have a health condition or *impairment* and need some help or changes, but they may not call it a disability.

Impairment means something does not work the right way.

This plan respects and includes all these views.

We want to hear ideas for the plan from:

• people with disability
• carers and supporters
• other people in the community.