Plans support people with disability

Published: 14th December 2022

Council recently finalised its Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-2022, achieving 83 out of the planned 84 actions, as well as an additional 11 actions, over the past four years.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows more than 22,000 people in the City of Logan need daily assistance due to disability and more than 31,000 people provide unpaid help to someone with disability.

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski, said the 2023-2025 plan not only fulfilled Council’s obligations under state and federal legislation, but also demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to creating a city that is inclusive, accessible and welcoming for people of all abilities.

“It builds on our two previous plans and allows us to better support people living with disability to ensure they have access to spaces and services,” Cr Koranski said.

“Our focus will now be on making sure all abilities access and inclusion is considered as part of our core business as we have now moved beyond a compliance focus.”

Council has developed the new draft plan over the past six months, incorporating feedback from the community and local stakeholders.

Cr Koranski said Council had strived to make a positive difference by providing quality services to all residents as the 2019-2022 plan was implemented.

“This plan has helped Council become a more accessible and inclusive organisation,” she said.

“I’m proud to say that our current plan has achieved 98 per cent of its targeted actions – it’s a credit to staff across the organisation who have made this happen.”

Highlights from the actions completed under the plan include:

Accessibility requirements are considered at all Council events. An adult change facility is available at the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct. A list of accessible equipment is listed on the online Parks directory. There are now four aquatic wheelchairs for people to access at Council’s aquatic centres. Council’s website is fully accessible and Certified WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Extra hearing loops are available at Council facilities including the Logan Entertainment Centre, the Kingston Butter Factory and Beenleigh Events Centre. The Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and Toolkit can be accessed on Council’s website. The accessibility of disabled parking spaces for mobility vehicles is now considered in every development application received. Bins4Blokes incontinence bins are available at Council’s Libraries.

A copy of the Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-2022 outcome report will soon be available on Council’s website.

Copies can be requested by emailing [email protected]

The community can have its say on the draft Disability Action Plan 2023-2025 from Friday, December 16 until Sunday, February 5 via haveyoursaylogan.com.au