environment, community and cultural development committee report cover sheet |
Agenda Item 5.4 |
6 March 2001 |
|
a city for everyone: the city of melbourne's strategy for people with a disability, final implementation report and new strategy framework |
Division City Assets & Services
Presenter Denise Shearer, Coordinator Social Planning and Projects
Purpose
To report to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee on the implementation of the three-year strategy A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and to seek endorsement for the process of development of, and the framework for, the new Strategy.
Time Frame
A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability was endorsed by Council in April 1997 and expired December 2000. It is proposed that the new Strategy will go to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee in August 2001.
Finance
The amount of money allocated to disability projects and initiatives in the 2000/2001 budget is $100,000. Development of a new disability strategy is included in this allocation.
Legal
No legal implications arise from the recommendation contained in this report.
Recommendation
That the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee:
· note the actions and achievements of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability;
· endorse the framework proposed for the development of a new Disability Strategy for the City of Melbourne; and
· note that this decision is being made by the Committee under delegation from the Council and is subject to the referral notice process.
environment, community and cultural development committee report |
Agenda Item 5.4 |
6 March 2001 |
|
a city for everyone: the city of melbourne's strategy for people with a disability, final implementation report and new strategy framework |
Division City Assets & Services
Presenter Denise Shearer, Coordinator Social Planning and Projects
Purpose
1. To report to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee on the implementation of the three-year strategy A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and to seek endorsement for the process of development of, and the framework for, the new Strategy.
Background
2. A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability, 1997-2000 was one of a series of strategies outlining policy and actions for key city issues and communities.
3. A City for Everyone set out Council's policies and strategies in relation to people with disabilities under three broad commitments:
3.1. a City that considers, consults and listens to people with disabilities;
3.2. a City where people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of City life; and
3.3. a City that plans, provides and advocates for services to support people with disabilities and their carers.
4. A report on progress towards implementing the Strategy has been provided each year to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee. Key actions were determined for the coming year according to the framework and resources provided by the Strategy and Council's annual budget and business planning processes.
5. The Strategy and its annual implementation plans have also been submitted to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission as the City of Melbourne's Action Plan under the Disability Discrimination Act.
6. This is the third and final implementation report for A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability as the Strategy expired in 2000. Highlights of the last phase of the Strategy are presented in Attachment one. Key achievements include establishing and working closely with Council's Disability Advisory Committee, revising the Access Melbourne Web site and the Good Access is Good Business information package.
Issues
The process for the New Strategy
7. It is proposed that the new Strategy build on the previous policy commitments outlined above and takes into account the contemporary issues faced by people with a disability. It will continue the commitment of City of Melbourne, as a leading local government, to be an inclusive and accessible city.
8. The new Strategy will be developed by working closely with members of Council's Disability Advisory Committee.
9. There will be an appropriate and inclusive consultation strategy, outlined below, to inform the development of the draft Strategy to be considered by Council in May, and prior to its adoption as policy in August.
10. Once adopted the Strategy will be submitted to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission as the City of Melbourne's Action Plan under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The framework
11. The existing policy commitments, which relate to civic and community participation and quality of personal life will be updated and be expressed in the framework as the following three realms of life:
11.1. Civic Life;
11.2. Community Life; and
11.3. Personal Life.
12. The new Strategy will acknowledge that Council has the following roles in relation to these realms:
12.1. Leadership;
12.2. Coordination; and
12.3. Service Provision.
13. The Strategy's target group will be people with disabilities, their families and carers who live, work and visit the City of Melbourne. The aims and strategic responses in the Disability Strategy will be based on principals of universal access that will benefit the whole community.
14. Key issues the next Strategy will address are:
14.1. employment opportunities for people with disabilities;
14.2. transport opportunities for people with disabilities;
14.3. physical access;
14.4. access to information; and
14.5. financial barriers.
City Plan
15. Council's strategic planning document, the Municipal Strategic Statement, City Plan, is firm in its support for Melbourne as an accessible City.
16. City Plan states that the City will strive to attain:
"Equal opportunity for all in the City's operations and planning.
To contribute to this, Council will:
Implement its policy, A City for Everyone, to ensure people with a disability are able to participate in all aspects of City life with equity, dignity and equality of access".
Relation to Council Policy
17. Implementation of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and associated recommendations are included within City Plan: the City of Melbourne's Municipal Strategic Statement, principally under the People City section.
Consultation
18. A comprehensive community consultation process involving the City of Melbourne's Disability Advisory Committee, people with disabilities, their families and carers, disability service organisations and key city stakeholders is proposed as part of the new strategy development process. An outline of the consultation process used for the development of the new strategy appears in Attachment two.
Government Relations
19. All three levels of government are involved in the provision of disability services and have significant community inclusion obligations towards people with disabilities. The overarching legislation guiding the City of Melbourne's relationship towards people with disabilities is the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, 1992.
Recommendation
20. That the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee:
20.1. note the actions and achievements of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability;
20.2. endorse the proposed process and framework for the development of a new Disability Strategy for the City of Melbourne; and
20.3. note that this decision is being made by the Committee under delegation from the Council and is subject to the referral notice process.
Achievements of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability 1997-2000
A City that considers, consults and listens to people with disabilities
The Disability Advisory Committee. |
The Committee was established and continues to run effectively. The Committee will advise on the development of the proposed new strategy. |
The World Blind Union |
The World Blind Union 4th General Assembly was held in the Town Hall November 2001. |
A City where people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of City life
Good Access is Good Business |
This package providing information to business in the City about disability issues is in the final draft. The text is currently awaiting approval before publication and distribution. |
Access Melbourne Web Site |
This has been revised and updated and features an electronic version of the Mobility Map and links to The City of Melbourne web site and Tourism Victoria's database of accommodation. |
CBD Mobility Map: Access and facilities for people with limited mobility. |
Continues to be printed and distributed. Is featured in the Melway and UBD street directories. |
Access to the democratic process |
A strategy was developed to assist people with disabilities, especially those with reading and writing handicaps to participate in the 1999 Council elections. |
Consultation |
There is now the routine inclusion of disability service and advocacy organisations in general and specific community consultation processes. This has been enhanced by the development of The City of Melbourne and Community Services frameworks for community consultation. |
Consultation |
Informal consultation has been taking place for the new strategy during late 2000- early 2001. Formal consultations will take place in March 2001. |
International Day of People with a Disability |
The City of Melbourne is involved in organising events for the International Day in 2001. |
Auditing the physical environment |
Council's audit process continued in 1999/2000 with audits of areas used by Council staff as part of Council's Affirmative Action Plan. |
Eating Out with Wheels |
Was revised, updated and reprinted in November 2000. An electronic version of the guide is now. available on the Access Melbourne web site. |
A City that plans, provides and advocates for services to support people with disabilities and their carers
On-line Resource kit |
The City of Melbourne continues to be on the steering group for the development of the on-line resource kit for Local Government officers working with access issues linked to the MAV web site. |
Companion Card |
The City of Melbourne continues to be involved in the development of the Companion Card, which will enable carers of people with disabilities to go to entertainment and events free of charge. It is anticipated that the card will be launch June 2001. |
Capital Works |
Council's Disability Access and Walk with Care capital works program continued for a third year during 2000/2001. The program aims to address disability access issues in the streetscape environment, especially in relation to footpath access. A budget allocation of $80, 000 was made to continue this program in 2000/2001. |
Review of Primary Care Partnerships |
This was completed in May 2000. It highlighted issues faced in the City by people with disabilities, particularly people with significant and on going experience of mental illness. |
Successful City of Melbourne delegation to the Sydney Paralympics |
Councillor Pace, City of Melbourne staff and members of the Disability Advisory Committee attended the Paralympics to assist in planning for major sporting events in Melbourne such as the 2005 World Deaf Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games. |
Aged and Disability Services |
A new service contract and contractors began operation during the 1999/2000 financial year. |
Links to the region |
The City of Melbourne has retained its links to community based disability service agencies, particularly through Western Region Disability Network. Links have been maintained to other Local Governments through the Local Government Disability Officers Network. |
Proposed consultation process for the development of the new Strategy for People with a Disability
A comprehensive community consultation process involving the Disability Advisory Committee, members of the community with a disability, disability advocacy groups and service providers, state government representatives, neighbouring local government areas and residents is proposed as part of the new strategy development process.
The elements of the process will include:
· public consultation with postcards, issues and Melbourne City Council web site commencing in November and throughout the process;
· identification of issues through stakeholder interviews and the Disability Advisory Committee;
· development of an issues paper outlining current disability initiatives, demographic and policy issues for consideration in the new Strategy;
· distribution of the issues paper to the Disability Advisory Committee and stakeholders;
· facilitation of a forum to discuss the issues paper and to gain stakeholder feedback for incorporation into the draft Strategy; and
· distribution of the draft Strategy to stakeholders for comment.
environment, community and cultural development committee report cover sheet |
Agenda Item 5.3 |
11 July 2000 |
|
a city for everyone: the city of melbourne's strategy for people with a disability, implementation report and proposed new strategy |
Division City Assets & Services
Presenter Heather Scovell, Group Manager Community Services
Purpose
To report to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee on the implementation of the three-year strategy A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and to seek endorsement for writing a new strategy.
Time Frame
A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability was endorsed by Council in April 1997.
Finance
The emphasis within disability planning is the integration of disability access and provisions for people with disabilities across all of Council's services; hence many of Council's obligations and practices are not separately costed.
The amount of money allocated to disability projects and initiatives in the 2000/2001 budget is $100,000. Development of a new disability strategy is included in this allocation. $50,000 is specifically for the Easy Access is Good Business project.
An additional amount of $2,769,000 is allocated to the provision of Council's aged and disability services. Councils own contribution represents $1,500,000. The remaining amount comprises State and Commonwealth government grants and to a minor extent, client fees.
Council's administration of the Disabled Persons Parking Program costs approximately $5,000 each year and is budgeted with Council's other parking permit programs.
$132,000 has been allocated across Council for specific disability access related capital works (Physical Access Audit Works, $27,000; Disability Program Initiatives $80,000 and City Baths Equipment $25,000). A number of other capital works projects have a substantial disability access component, including: Central Carlton Children's Centre ($30,000), New Public Toilets ($400,000) and Playgrounds ($100,000).
Legal
The strategy has been prepared and implemented in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
Recommendation
That the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee:
· note the actions and achievements of the current three-year strategy and the issues that need action and attention over the coming twelve months;
· endorse the development of a new three-year strategy; and
· note that this decision is being made by the Committee under delegation from the Council and is subject to the referral notice process.
environment, community and cultural development committee report |
Agenda Item 5.3 |
11 July 2000 |
|
a city for everyone: the city of melbourne's strategy for people with a disability, implementation report and proposed new strategy |
Division City Assets & Services
Presenter Heather Scovell, Group Manager Community Services
Purpose
21. To report to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee on the implementation of the three-year strategy A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and to seek endorsement for writing a new strategy.
Background
22. Council approved A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability in 1997. It is one of a series of strategies outlining policy directions and actions for key city issues and communities.
23. A report on progress towards implementing the Strategy is provided each year to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee. Key actions for the coming year are also determined, according to framework and resources provided by the Strategy and Council's annual budget and business planning processes.
24. The Strategy and its annual implementation plans have also been submitted to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission as the City of Melbourne's Action Plan under the Disability Discrimination Act. Melbourne was the first state capital to develop such a plan.
25. This year marks the final year for the present strategy. Highlights for both the current year and the life of the Strategy are presented, along with key issues and proposed directions for drafting a new strategy.
26. A number of disability access issues were also raised at the June meeting of the Finance, Corporate Services and Governance Committee. Some of these issues, which relate to the built environment, building and planning are addressed in this report. Additionally, a more detailed report on the comprehensive range of issues requested by Councillor Chamberlain will be provided to a future meeting of the Planning, Development and Services Committee as part of the new strategy development process.
27. A City for Everyone sets out Council's policies and strategies in relation to people with disabilities under three broad commitments:
27.1. a City that considers, consults and listens to people with disabilities;
27.2. a City where people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of City life; and
27.3. a City that plans, provides and advocates for services to support people with disabilities and their carers.
28. These commitments, which relate to civic and community participation and quality of personal life, provide the framework for reporting on the achievements of the three-year strategy, outlining some of the issues to be considered, both over the coming year and in developing the new strategy.
Issues
Key achievements and issues
A City that considers, consults and listens to people with disabilities
29. Over the past three years, activity has been undertaken in relation to all of the priority actions outlined under the commitment to consider, consult and listen to people with disabilities. In most cases the issues, which include consultation, training and developing good communication systems are ongoing and warrant continuous action and improvement.
30. The key achievement during 1999/2000 was the establishment of a Disability Advisory Committee in November 1999. The Committee is resourced by Community Services and meets quarterly with the aim of providing strategic advice across Council on disability issues. Cr Pace is the Councillor representative for the Committee and the Group Manager Community Services, the Chair.
31. A report to this Committee in April detailed the establishment and first six months of operation for the Committee. The Committee met again in May. The major focus of the May meeting was to consider ways of progressing a proposed Easy Access is Good Business program, discussed below.
32. During the year Council has also met with Vision Australia to gain advice on the routine production of information for people with vision and print related disabilities, especially in relation to significant communication and consultation issues.
33. Support for disability advocacy organisations has again continued, mainly through sponsored use of the Town Hall. Groups that have been assisted in the past twelve months include Advocacy Victoria, the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability and the Robert McNamara Foundation.
34. Key achievements over the life of the Strategy include:
34.1. targeted assistance for people with disabilities, especially those with reading and writing handicaps, to participate in the 1999 elections. The strategy developed by Council, the Australian Electoral Commission and Vision Australia has become a model for other organisations and elections;
34.2. the routine inclusion of disability service and advocacy organisations in specific and general community consultation processes. This practice will be further assisted by the development in 1999/2000 of City of Melbourne and Community Services frameworks for community consultation. These provide direction on the range of groups that should be consulted on particular issues and the range of forums at which issues can be raised. A data- base of "stakeholders", that includes disability organisations, has also been created. This will be available across the organisation in August; and
34.3. the use of disability and access consultants for specialist advice in relation to capital works, infrastructure and street activity projects. This practice is assisted by the inclusion of disability and access consultants on Council's consultancy panels.
Key issues for 2000/2001
35. The key consultation activity for the coming year will be the engagement of people with disabilities and community stakeholders in developing the new disability strategy.
36. It is expected that the Disability Advisory Committee will play a key advisory role in the development of the Strategy. Opportunities for targeted consultation will also be provided by the World Blind Union 4th General Assembly, which will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall in November and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Association National Conference and Trade Show, which will be held at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, also in November.
A City where people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of city life
37. This has been the area where most activity has occurred over the three years of the Strategy. Progress has been made in relation to the physical environment, social and cultural life and providing information to people with disabilities on the City's amenities and services.
38. Only one of the major proposed actions did not occur over the life of the Strategy. This was to host a biennial forum to exchange ideas and promote access and participation for people with disabilities in key aspect of City life. A forum will be considered as part of the consultation process for developing a new strategy.
39. Progress on a proposed Easy Access is Good Business scheme for city businesses has also been slow, particularly due to the complexity and potential resource requirements of the project. There remains a need for more tangible outcomes for this project. An initial budget allocation of $50,000 should guarantee a more solid outcome for Easy Access is Good Business during the 2000/2001 year.
Access to the built environment
40. Council's Disability Access and Walk with Care capital works program continued for a second year during 1999/2000. This program aims to address disability access issues in the streetscape environment, especially in relation to footpath access. Many of the issues being addressed were identified in (i) a 1996 audit conducted by groups with expertise in relation to mobility, hearing, vision and intellectual disabilities and (ii) consultations conducted as part of the Walk with Care older pedestrian safety program in 1998 and 1999. A budget allocation of $80,000 has been made to continue this program in 2000/2001.
41. Council's access audit process continued in 1999/2000 with audits of areas used by Council staff. These audits were conducted as part of Council's Affirmative Action Plan. Budget allocations for the 2000/2001 financial year have been made to address some of the priority actions arising from the audits. Additional allocations aim to address issues raised by previous audits of public use areas, in particular children's services and children's playgrounds.
42. Council's role in relation to the built environment and in particular to building and planning issues continues to be shaped by state and federal codes and standards. These include the Building Code of Australia, decisions of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and Australian Standards. Council has remained active in contributing to the development of improved standards and practices, especially in relation to supporting the development of a revised Building Code of Australia and in commenting on the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's proposals for interim local level access policies.
43. Council has begun work on a proposal with the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects to provide an on-line resource directory for physical and social planning issues for access and disability. The physical planning area is currently an evolving and legislatively confusing area.
44. Council has been active in promoting best practice in disability access locally, particularly in relation to:
44.1. the management of building sites, through the development of a code of practice;
44.2. the management of street activity, via local laws, permit conditions, city liaison activities and the management of street events; and
44.3. parking management, especially for motorists with disabilities.
Key issues for 2000/2001
45. An emerging issue that needs to be taken into account for future disability and infrastructure planning is the development of Disability Discrimination Act Action Plans by other authorities with which City of Melbourne shares responsibilities for the physical environment. Key amongst these are VicRoads, the Department of Infrastructure and the new public transport providers. Forums, meetings and discussions have been held by these agencies over the past twelve months, aimed at working through some of the issues involved in providing more accessible urban infrastructure and public and transport systems.
Access to social and cultural opportunities
46. In 1999/2000 Council endorsed a policy outlining that the organisations to which it provides sponsorship must recognise the need of some people with disabilities to be accompanied by a companion or carer. The policy enables complimentary admission to facilities and events for these carers.
47. The City of Melbourne provided seeding funding and has continued to work with the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability to develop a Companion Card. The Card will be recognised by a range of commercial and community venues and will enable complimentary admission for a companion or carer to accompany a person whose disability requires significant carer support. The project has now received a substantial start-up grant from the Victorian State Government, to enable it to become fully operational over the next twelve months.
48. Another highlight for 1999/2000 was the celebration of the International Day of People with a DisAbility in the Alexandra Gardens on 3 December. The celebration featured performances by music and theatre groups involving people with and without disabilities, plus speeches by paralympian Sandy Blythe and Christine Campbell, the state government Minister for Community Services.
49. The City of Melbourne also continued its sponsorship of the very successful Club Wild a cabaret nightclub for and by people with disabilities, which is held at North Melbourne Town Hall.
Participation in City life
50. Feasibility work has been carried out on a proposed Easy Access is Good Business Scheme. This has included consultation with people with disabilities and disability organisations and businesses. This scheme will continue to be defined and implemented in the 2000/2001 year.
51. Work has continued on information products for people with disabilities, aimed at promoting the City's accessible facilities and attractions. A new edition of the CBD Mobility Map: Access and facilities for people with limited mobility has been produced. The Accessmelbourne Internet site has been maintained on a monthly basis and is currently being redesigned. A visitor information book is going into the final production stages and support has been given to a city restaurant guide for people with disabilities. Information has also been provided to Tourism Victoria for the production of a Melbourne brochure for paralympic visitors.
52. The City of Melbourne has also been very active in promoting the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games to the city community.
A City that plans, provides and advocates for services to support people with disabilities and their carers
53. The key issue for 1999/2000 was the commencement of a new service contract and new contractors for the City of Melbourne's aged and disability services. Information on this service has been provided previously to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee.
54. A Review of Primary Care Services in the City of Melbourne, completed in May 2000, has highlighted some the disability issues faced within the City, particularly in relation to people with significant and on-going experience of mental illness. Mental health and psychiatric disability issues have emerged through several planning processes as being one of the prime health and disability issues for the City. A series of forums on mental health and drug and alcohol issues are planned for youth service providers in the 2000/2001 year.
55. The City of Melbourne has retained its links to community based disability service organisations, principally through the Western Region Disability Network.
A new disability strategy
56. A City for Everyone is now due for review. Some of the issues that need consideration have been covered in this report. It is proposed that a consultation and strategy development process commence this month. The process includes a draft of the strategy being presented to a future meeting of this Committee.
Time Frame
57. The period of the current three-year disability strategy elapses this year. It is proposed that a new three-year strategy be developed between July 2000 and February 2001.
Relation to Council Policy
58. Implementation of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and associated recommendations are included within City Plan: the City of Melbourne's Municipal Strategic Statement, principally under the People City section.
Consultation
59. A comprehensive community consultation process involving the City of Melbourne's Disability Advisory Committee, people with disabilities, disability service organisations and key city stakeholders is proposed as part of the new strategy development process.
Government Relations
60. All three levels of government are involved the provision of disability services and have significant community inclusion obligations towards people with disabilities. The overarching legislation guiding the City of Melbourne's relationship towards people with disabilities is the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, 1992.
Recommendation
61. That the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee:
61.1. note the actions and achievements of the current three-year strategy and the issues which need action and attention over the coming twelve months;
61.2. endorse the development of a new three-year strategy; and
61.3. note that this decision is being made by the Committee under delegation from the Council and is subject to the referral notice process.
ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT committee report COVER SHEET |
Agenda Item 5.1 |
6 July 1999 |
|
a city for everyone: the city of melbourne's strategy for people with a disability, annual implementation report, 1998/ 1999 |
Division City Assets & Services
Presenter Heather Scovell, Group Manager Community Services
Purpose
To report to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee on the second year of implementation for A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and outline priority actions for 1999/ 2000.
A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability was approved by Council in 1997. It is one of a series of strategies outlining policy directions and actions for key Community Service activity areas. The strategies are conventionally reviewed on an annual basis by Council's Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee (formerly the Community and Social Development Committee).
Time Frame
Council approved A City for Everyone in April 1997. This report marks the completion of the second year of the strategy.
Finance
Implementation of the strategy is planned through annual business planning and budget processes of Council. Where provisions for disability access are an integral part of a larger project, separate budgets are not outlined.
In the 1998/1999 financial year, Council spent $2,429,841 on services for older people and people with disabilities. Council's direct contribution to this amount was $1,154,898, the balance was derived from grants and subsidies, fees and charges. $30,000 was spent on specific disability projects. Additionally, $249,160 was spent on the Disability Access and Walk with Care capital works project. The draft budget for 1999/ 2000 allocates $2,295,000 for services to older people and people with disabilities. Council's direct contribution to this amount is $1,498,000. $20,000 has been allocated for specific disability projects. Additionally, a further $80,000 has been allocated to the Disability Access and Walk with Care capital works project.
Legal
One of the objectives of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) is to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against persons on the ground of disability in the area of the provision of goods, facilities, services and land.
Section 60 of the Act provides that an organisation may prepare and implement an Action Plan. A City for Everyone and its accompanying implementation plan were submitted to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission as the City of Melbourne's Action Plan in 1998.
Recommendation
That the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee note the achievements of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and the priority actions for 1999/ 2000.
ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT committee report |
Agenda Item 5.1 |
6 July 1999 |
|
a city for everyone: the city of melbourne's strategy for people with a disability, annual implementation report, 1998/ 1999 |
Division City Assets & Services
Presenter Heather Scovell, Group Manager Community Services
Purpose
1. To report to the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee on the second year of implementation for A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and outline priority actions for 1999/ 2000.
2. A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability was approved by Council in 1997. It is one of a series of strategies outlining policy directions and actions for key Community Service activity areas. The strategies are conventionally reviewed on an annual basis by Council's Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee (formerly the Community and Social Development Committee).
Background/Issues
3. Council approved A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability at its April 1997 meeting.
4. The second year of the Strategy has been characterised by action across a range of areas. Positive achievements have been made on many fronts, however progress was not made on two significant projects and is planned for the third year. These projects remain priorities for action and are detailed, with other initiatives, below.
5. A City for Everyone sets out Council's policies and strategies in relation to people with disabilities under three broad commitments:
5.1. a City that considers, consults and listens to people with disabilities;
5.2. a City where people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of City life; and
5.3. a City that plans, provides and advocates for services to support people with disabilities and their carers.
6. These commitments provide the framework for this report.
Key Achievements for A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability 1998/ 1999
A City that considers consults and listens to people with disabilities
Enabling access to voting and democratic processes
7. A key policy and strategy of A City for Everyone is ensuring that people with disabilities have access to voting and other democratic processes. The City of Melbourne has pioneered the use of postal ballots for local government elections. In doing so, Council has overcome some of the traditional physical access barriers which are the focus of current awareness campaigns on the part of the Australian Council on Rehabilitation of the Disabled (ACROD) and the Australian Local Government Association.
8. Council ensured that a range of practical and proactive strategies were put in place for the 1999 Council elections. These included targeted audio information for people with vision impairments, through Vision Australia and Radio for the Print Handicapped. Briefings and printed information, on providing appropriate assistance to enable people with disabilities to vote, were provided to disability and personal care service providers.
9. By taking a proactive approach, Council discovered that a significant proportion of people with disabilities are not registered on the electoral roll. The Australian Electoral Commission is concerned about this issue and will be taking action on a broader basis. Advocacy Victoria, the peak body for Victorian based disability advocacy organisations, is also using our experience to raise awareness amongst its member organisations.
Consultation
10. Targeted consultation with people who have disabilities has continued to occur across a range of projects including Walk with Care (a pedestrian access and safety program), a Hardware Lane renovation plan and the development of new approaches for the use of tactile ground surface indicators for people with vision impairments.
11. Council has also continued to seek appropriate professional advice from disability access consultants for specific capital works and infrastructure projects.
Supporting advocacy
12. Productive contact has been maintained with formal disability advocacy groups to progress action on issues of common concern. A current project, which Council became involved in following contact from concerned members of the public, is the development of a Companion Card Scheme. This project is being developed by the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability (VICNORD). The proposed Companion Card would be used by people who require the assistance of a carer to gain access to sporting, recreation and entertainment facilities and events. The card would enable people with high support needs to gain necessary complementary access for their carer.
13. The City of Melbourne has also continued its support of advocacy organisations through sponsored use of the Town Hall. Groups who have used the Town Hall include Advocacy Victoria and VICNORD.
14. A Civic Reception was held for a visiting delegation of the World Blind Union. The Union used this opportunity to announce that the Melbourne Town Hall will be the venue for the 5th General Assembly of the World Blind Union. Over 1000 blind and vision-impaired people, representing 275 countries, are expected to attend this event in November 2000. Securing the event is a significant achievement for local organisations of people who are blind or have low vision.
A City where people with disabilities can participate in all aspects of City life
Access to the built environment
15. Significant national developments have occurred which guide the actions of Council and other agencies in ensuring better access for people with disabilities to the built environment. These include a revision to the Building Code of Australia, a redraft of existing Australian Standards relating to standards of access for people with disabilities and the creation of some new standards. Council's own efforts in assisting accessible design across the City include the publication of Safe by Design: Planning and Design Guidelines for New and Existing Carparks and a draft Code of Practice for Building and Construction Sites.
16. A specific disability access and pedestrian safety capital works program was established in 1998/ 1999. It aims to address issues raised via customer contacts and field work projects, including the CBD Disability Access Audits and the Walk with Care older pedestrian safety program. This capital works project will continue in the 1999/ 2000 financial year, covering sites that were not addressed within the concluding financial year, plus recommendations arising from Part 2 of the Walk with Care program.
17. One of the specific projects outlined for the 1998/ 1999 financial year was to conduct disability access audits of Council's public use areas. Audits have been carried out for all Children's Services and Maternal and Child Health Centres, these being the facilities most warranting specific attention. Council's Affirmative Action Plan allows for a similar audit process to be carried out on areas used by Council employees. An access audit has also been conducted for pathways in parks.
18. Final year occupational therapy students from La Trobe University are currently working on recommendations for accessible playgrounds and playground equipment in Melbourne parks. Their project includes an audit of current playgrounds and equipment, specific recommendations for change and guidelines for future purchases and developments.
Access to City life and opportunities
19. Perceptions of safety were identified in the CBD Disability Access Audits (1996) as being a significant barrier to participation in City life by people with disabilities. Anecdotal evidence and a small number of specific incidents reported to Council confirmed that this is an important issue. As part of Community Safety Week a series of workshops Active and Safe in the City were held in Melbourne Town Hall. The workshops were conducted by Victoria Police, the Department of Infrastructure and the Transport Police, Yooralla Recreation Services and a women's self defence instructor. Information was provided by the Victims Assistance and Referral Service, the Disability Employment Action Centre, Reinforce and the Travellers Aid Disability Access Service. This was organised as an inclusive event – targeted at a wide range of groups but featuring information and activities of specific interest to people with disabilities. Attendees included older people, people with disabilities, member of the general public and secondary students.
20. Another priority identified for 1998/ 1999 was improving disability access provisions for special events. New approaches, including a variety of reserved safe viewing places and providing targeted information, were successfully trialed for the AFL Grand Final Parade, one of the busiest annual street events. Disability access provisions are being incorporated as a standard feature of street activity and event plans.
21. In addition to trying to improve access for people with disabilities to events targeted at everyone, the City of Melbourne has provided sponsored use of the Town Hall and engagements for Recharge Theatre and Club Wild. These groups proactively involve people with disabilities and aim to respond to the social isolation faced by people with disabilities by hosting disability friendly events and clubs.
Resources for visitors to Melbourne
22. A major highlight of 1998/19999 is the completion of Accessing Melbourne, a visitor guide to Melbourne for people with disabilities. The City of Melbourne is the major sponsor for this project. Funds have also been provided by Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Department of Human Services. The guide, written by Bruce Cameron, a travel writer who has a disability, will be published by RACV travel.
23. The successful Melbourne CBD Mobility Map was updated, in collaboration with Melway Publishing. Over 10,000 copies of the 1999 map have been distributed to date.
24. The accessmelbourne internet site also continues to be updated. Creation of this site was sponsored by the Lions Club of Melbourne, City of Melbourne Host. The site features an interactive version of the CBD Mobility Map, a list of disability accessible events, plus information on access and facilities available to people with disabilities in Melbourne.
A City that plans, provides and advocates for services to support people with disabilities and their carers
25. Access to central city based activities for people with disabilities has also been facilitated by providing additional funding to the Travellers Aid Disability Access Service, to enable the service to open during weekends. The Service is funded by the Department of Human Services and the City of Melbourne. It provides attendant care and support, plus a range of organised activities. The service philosophy is focused on increasing independence and providing the services that clients themselves view as being of most importance. A grant has also been provided to the Travellers Aid Disability Access Service to establish a central city internet access point that can be used by people with a range of disabilities. Accessing and providing internet based information is becoming increasingly widespread amongst people with disabilities and disability support organisations.
26. In addition to its regular services to people with disabilities, through the Home and Community Care program, Council conducted a special project, looking at the services available for children with disabilities and their carers. The project produced a comprehensive service directory and information library to assist in raising families' awareness of the full range of services and support available to them and in making appropriate referrals.
27. A major focus of the 1998/ 1999 financial year has been the development of a new service specification for Council's Home and Community Care Services and developing responses to state government driven reform processes. Council is also currently undertaking a Review of Primary Care Services in the municipality, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, Western Metropolitan Region. This will examine access, service provision and planning issues for community health and support services in both the CBD and City of Melbourne neighbourhoods.
Priority actions for 1999/ 2000
28. An ongoing challenge in implementing strategies of A City for Everyone is maintaining a balance between planned action and the need to be respond to important issues that arise in our external environment. This year these included proposed state government reforms to the primary health and community support sector. The reforms are aimed at developing better access and information and a more integrated service system. They include introducing 24 hour telephone access points, multiple access opportunities, streamlined referral systems and shared access to client information. The reforms also foreshadow streamlined and competitively tested funding processes for state government funded services. The reforms present significant opportunities and challenges for the municipality. Continuing engagement in the reform process is essential. The state government Department of Human Services has called for demonstration project proposals, to fund projects that will progressively implement the reform process aims. The City of Melbourne is currently involved in two proposals, one within the Inner West Human Services region (of which the City of Melbourne is part) and one, for which the City of Melbourne is the lead agency, which aims to address our capital city roles.
29. Two significant projects planned for 1998/ 1999 did not progress. These were a Disability Advisory Committee and a Good Access is Good Business disability-friendly acknowledgment and recognition scheme for businesses. These initiatives are priorities for action in the coming year.
30. It is recommended that the proposed Disability Advisory Committee:
30.1. focuses on providing strategic and project advice, rather than issues which warrant an individualised customer service response and
30.2. acknowledges the City of Melbourne's dual residential and capital city roles.
31. The concept of a Good Access is Good Business recognition scheme arose from a number of suggestions made during consultations for A City for Everyone. There has continued to be strong interest in the scheme, including from the Lions Club, City of Melbourne Host, who have indicated that they would like to be invited to take a role in its implementation. Field work carried out by occupational therapy students for the Accessing Melbourne visitor guide to Melbourne for people with disabilities provides a good initial indication of which CBD based businesses offer good access and good services for people with disabilities, an initial set of guidelines has been produced and the accessmelbourne internet site provides opportunities for topical information dissemination.
32. Other priorities are:
32.1. continuing the Disability Access and Walk with Care capital works project, for which $80,000 has been allocated in Council's 1999/ 2000 budget;
32.2. improving the use of inclusive language, plus access to information in alternative formats for people with print disabilities;
32.3. resourcing the full range of Council activities to appropriately consider, accommodate and include the needs of people with disabilities, including by providing formal and easily accessible resources; and
32.4. consolidating work to date, expanding on and formalising some of the initiatives and approaches developed over the past two years.
Relation to Council Policy
33. Implementation of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability and associated recommendations are included within City Plan.
34. The inclusion of disability related access needs is also included within other major policy documents including the City of Melbourne's Transport Strategy.
Recommendation
35. That the Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee note the actions and achievements of A City for Everyone: the City of Melbourne's Strategy for People with a Disability for 1998/ 1999 and the priority actions for 1999/ 2000.
