Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Lake Macquarie is set to become a more welcoming and liveable City for people living with disability under a new action plan.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Partnerships Andrew Bryant said the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 now on public exhibition outlined a raft of new measures to break down barriers across the community.

They include:

• Increasing the number of accessible cabins at Lake Mac Holiday Parks
• Training key Council staff in basic sign language and deaf awareness
• Increasing employment opportunities for people with disability
• Working with the corporate community to make Lake Mac businesses more inclusive

Mr Bryant said more than one in 20 people in Lake Macquarie were living with disability.

“These actions will help create a more inclusive City through programming, events and infrastructure improvements,” he said.

“We can all play a part in making it easier for people with disability to live and work in our City, and for visitors who come here to enjoy it.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said the plan aligned with Council’s community values and demonstrated its commitment to making the City more inclusive.

“Inclusive cities are easy to get around, and they provide people with disability opportunities for participation in the diverse social, cultural life of the City and access to meaningful employment opportunities,” Cr Fraser said.

Council also gave the green light on a plan to help nurture, celebrate and grow Lake Macquarie's rich culturally diverse community.

“The Culturally Diverse Lake Mac Plan will strengthen social harmony,” Mr Bryant said.

“Welcoming people of all different cultures, backgrounds and abilities shapes the beautiful place in which we live.”

The draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2024 is on public exhibition for comment from 29 June to 27 July. Hard copies of the plan can be viewed at Lake Mac Libraries and Customer Service Centre. An accessible PDF compatible for screen readers and an easy-read version are also available on our website.

The Culturally Diverse Lake Mac Plan 2021-2024 was adopted by Council at Monday’s council meeting.

Go to lakemac.com.au for more information.

We are inviting the community to share their feedback on the draft Disability Action Plan 2017-2021.

Council’s Manager Community Planning, John Ferguson, said Council is committed to providing an inclusive City that makes it easier for people with disability to live, work and play.

“The number of people living with disability in Lake Macquarie is relatively high, so it is imperative that our planning, services and activities accommodate their rights and needs,” Mr Ferguson said.

“The Disability Inclusion Action Plan will help steer inclusive strategic planning with emphasis on four focus areas: attitudes and behaviours; liveable communities; employment; and systems and processes.

“Some of the key actions identified in the draft Plan include the continuation of the Ageing and Disability Panel to inform Council decisions, development of a free program of activities for people with disability to build networks and skills, and upgrades to improve accessibility at Council facilities.”

To see what other actions are identified in the draft Plan and share your feedback, visit haveyoursaylakemac.com.au/disabilityinclusion.

Submissions close on Monday 29 May 2017.

The draft Plan was developed in line with the NSW Disability Inclusion Action Planning Guidelines Local Government and the City Vision developed for the Community Strategic Plan 2017-2021.

The new Australian $5 note features a small bump on both of the long sides to assist blind and partially sighted people. For many, this is one of the most significant changes in their lifetime, allowing them to fully participate in society without relying on others.

'The tactile feature will directly benefit about 360,000 Australians who are blind or have low vision' (SMH, 31 Aug 2016)

Read the full article

Have your say on ways we can make it easier for people with disability to live, work and play in Lake Macquarie via our Online Survey and interactive Ideas Board.

Help make Lake Macquarie a great place to live for all

We can all play a part in making it easier for people with disability to live, work and visit our City. To make this a reality, Lake Macquarie City Council is developing a Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 that will guide our planning and the actions Council takes now and in the future.

Council’s Acting Manager Community Planning, Andrew Bryant, said Council is committed to being an inclusive and accessible City for people with disability.

“This action plan, developed with the community, will help to identify and break down barriers for those with disability living and working in Lake Macquarie City,” Mr Bryant said.

“The Plan will assist Council to effectively identify four focus areas and deliver actions that will help to create an inclusive community.”

The focus areas are:

•attitudes and behaviours;

•liveable communities;

•employment; and

•systems and processes.

Do you have a disability or are you a carer or service provider? Are you passionate about breaking down barriers for those with disability?

Council wants you to get involved in the conversation to help build a more inclusive and accessible Lake Macquarie City.

Have your say by taking a short survey and adding to our ideas board before Friday 30 September 2016.

To find out more, contact Council’s Community Planner for Ageing and Disability, Jenny Linton-Webb at [email protected](External link) or call 4921 0333.