A three-year plan designed to help reduce barriers for people living with a disability will soon be launched by Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Cr Bill Maltby moved a motion at Tuesday’s meeting for the council to adopt its first stand-alone Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
“We live in a very diverse and accepting community,” Cr Maltby said.
“This plan goes a great way to continue acceptance for all people and to help those people with a disability and the people who care for them to actually be greatly involved and looked after.”
The three-year plan assist people living with a disability to access services and facilities, obtain and maintain employment, promote inclusion and participation in the community and make changes towards attitudes that discriminate against people with a disability.
Mayor Rosie Annear said there were a lot of people in the community either living with, caring for, or working with someone with a disability.
“We know now, more than ever, that a lot of disabilities are not visible, and more and more people identify themselves as having an invisible disability, such as neurodiversity and mental health concerns,” Cr Annear said.
The disability inclusion plan has been informed by regular meetings with a Disability Action Plan Working Group consisting of a variety of knowledgeable carers and locals living with a range of disabilities, plus two months of community consultation.
The outcomes of the consultation highlighted that the main area of concern for respondents was the provision and accessibility of footpaths and tracks, with 56 per cent of respondents wanting improvements. This, coupled with poor quality parking bays, toilets and a lack of suitable activities, has left respondents feeling unsafe and isolated from their community.
The feedback also outlined the lack of support, information and awareness about neurodevelopment disorders, dementia and disability generally.
Concerns were raised about the attitudes and behaviours of others, and the stereotypes and stigmas that exist in the community, plus a lack of suitable housing in the shire for people living with a disability.
“We know a lot of people in our community have a disability and have barriers to what they would like to do sometimes. What this plan is really about, is to address any barriers that come up, so they can live the life they want to,” Cr Annear said.
“Obviously this is a very tall task and one that the council cannot achieve on their own.
“The real essence of this plan is that we need everyone in our community to do their best to make our community safe, accessible and friendly for any person, regardless of their abilities.”
The Disability Inclusion Action Plan will publicly launch at an event held during this year’s International Day of People with a Disability on December 3.