Improving accessibility in Cardinia Shire and International Day of People with a Disability 2024

Each year on 3 December, communities across the globe celebrate International Day of People with Disability – a day for promoting community awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disability. The theme for this year’s campaign is 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.'

Council encourages and champions the voices and leadership capabilities of people with disabilities living in our community through its engagement with the Cardinia Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (CAIAC).

The volunteer advisory group comprised of members from the disability community, carers, representatives from organisations within the disability sector, and Cardinia Shire Councillors, this committee provides information to Council on issues impacting people with disabilities and has direct input and participation in Council’s strategic planning activities.

Newly re-elected Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Jack Kowarzik said local government has a critical role in encouraging and supporting active participation in community life, and ensuring that Council’s services and facilities are accessible, equitable and inclusive to all residents.

“Through the actions set out in the Access and Inclusion Disability Strategy and Action Plan 2021-26 and in collaboration with local service organisations and our Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee members, Council continues to actively work on delivering real results that make a difference in the everyday lives of our community members.

“Our community relies on us to lead the way for positive change, and we have a responsibility to reduce the barriers to accessing goods, services, and facilities, as well as improve access and capacity for maintaining employment, participation opportunities, and connections within in our community,” Mayor Kowarzik said.

“We’re always thinking about ways we can improve the quality of life for people in Cardinia Shire and how we can not only harness the advice of our community leaders who are living with a disability, but to also champion their voices and foster opportunities for them to lead the way for that positive change.”

Council’s commitment to reducing barriers faced by people living with disability are wide-reaching, including: ensuring Council information is available in accessible formats, subsidising animal registration costs for registered guide and assistance dogs, and applying Access and Universal Design Guidelines to the delivery of new services, buildings and facilities.

Some of the key disability services and projects undertaken by Council this year include:

The installation of an innovative new Poolpod and accessible bathroom upgrades at the Koo Wee Rup Outdoor Pool under Council’s Disability Access Upgrade Program 2024–25. Updating the ‘Access Key’ accessible facility guides and communication boards at three prime facilities in Pakenham. Delivering the community PowerUp sites for recharging electronic mobility chairs and scooters and preparing for the rollout of an initiative to assist local businesses to adopt the program. Promoting the uptake of the free 'You Me Us' online access and inclusion training for community volunteers and local businesses. Adoption of a new internal Universal Design: Built Environment and Service Delivery Policy that helps guide Council and its external suppliers to incorporate universal design principles into the development of community buildings, environments and services accessible to more people, regardless of age, disability, background and other factors.

For more information, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/accessibility.