Disability Discrimination Act
Action Plan
SA Writers' Centre (SAWC)

Purpose

1. To review and evaluate SAWC's accessibility for its disabled clients and others.
2. To maintain and increase accessiblity.
3. To allot appropriate tasks to increase accessibility.
4. To review accessibility in the future.

Background

The South Australian Writers' Centre was established in 1985.  It was the first of its kind in Australia, providing resources and support for South Australian writers.  Located in the East End of Adelaide, the Writers' Centre has over 1100 members, 100 affiliated groups and is a non-profit organisation. Members of the Centre have access to meeting rooms and resources, seminars and workshops, as well as information about professional opportunities.  The Centre also produces a monthly newsletter, Southern Write.  The Centre is funded by the State and Federal governments through their arts funding departments and generates income through memberships, organised events and sponsorships.

SAWC is an incorporated association, managed by a Board elected from its members.  The Board develops policy that is implemented through projects and programs managed by staff and volunteers in conjunction with Board committees and working parties.  

The SAWC employs a full-time executive officer, two part-time project officers and a librarian for half a day each week. Two experienced published writers volunteer their services one day a week to staff the front office.    

The Centre has two meeting rooms, which are available for hire for meetings, book launches, promotions and other industry and arts related activities. 

Objectives

SA Writers' Centre provides professional resources, job opportunities, support and encouragement for South Australian writers.

The SA Writers' Centre aims to foster the development of writing culture in South Australia by:

•		Actively promoting writers and writing activities
•		Addressing members' needs, from emerging writers to professionals
•		Acting as a resource centre for individual writers and organisations
•		Coordinating a statewide program of writing activities
•		Lobbying for improved status of all writers
•		Making writing more accessible to schools, libraries, businesses and the 
	general community through an extensive database and network of industry contacts.

Members

Anyone is able to become a member of the SA Writers’ Centre.  Membership categories include published or performed writers, self-published and those aspiring to be published.  Organisations can also join the centre, such as regional writers groups or special interest groups focusing on children's writing, science fiction, romance and poetry.  A membership fee is paid annually and ranges from $30 concession to $99 for an organisation using a meeting room at the Centre  (includes GST).
Budget

The SAWC's expenditure of approximately $265,000 per annum is balanced by funds gained from government grants ($ 173,000) and self-generated income ($92,000) such as membership fees, workshop participation fees, sponsorships, donations, book sales and venue hire. 

Venue

The SAWC is on the second floor of the Malcolm Reid Building, a heritage listed building at 187 Rundle Street, in the midst of Adelaide's thriving East End. Lift access is available at 26 York Street, the rear of the building, or through Cafe Buongiorno, 187 Rundle Street, at street level. A billiard hall is on the first floor. 

One disability access toilet is located adjacent to the lift on the ground floor. 

Review Process

1. Invite  submissions or suggestions from disabled members via the SAWC Newsletter Southern Write, at regular intervals.

2. The Director will present the information to the Board of Management who will determine an appropriate course of action.

3. The Director will inform other staff members and volunteers of their responsibilities in regards to supporting people with a disability. 

4. Staff and volunteers will be asked to actively seek information from people with a disability on the ease of accessing the centre’s premises, facilities and services. Given particular consideration will be the following:

4.1 	Suitability and signage of wheelchair access of the building. Depending on feedback, the owner of the building and other tenants will need to be consulted. 

4.2 	Ease of access of toilet facilities for disabled persons. There is one disability access toilet located adjacent to the lift on the ground floor.

5. Feedback sheets provided at workshops and seminars will include a question for disabled persons regarding their ease and comfort when attending SA Writers’ Centre activities. They will be invited to make suggestions on improving access.

6. The Director will work with the designer of the newsletter, the website and promotional material to ensure that people with a disability are, firstly, able to read the material with ease, and, secondly,  more readily made aware of disability access facilities.

7. Staff and volunteers will be asked to monitor their dealings with people who have a disability and request feedback in order to improve future service delivery. An agenda item will be regularly included at staff and Board meetings to discuss these observations.

8. The Board of Management will review the action plan every twelve months.

9. The Director will lodge the SA Writers’ Centre Action Plan electronically with HEORC.