The Disability and Inclusion Action Plan or DIAP is a public document developed in consultation with people with disability, their families and supporters, Council staff and those who are working towards a more in the Disability Sector.

The Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) acknowledges human rights and promotes the independence and social and economic inclusion of people with disability. The Act requires NSW government departments, local Councils, and some other public authorities to develop and implement a Disability Inclusion Action Plan. The aims and objectives of the Act align with the National Disability Strategy, and the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan guidelines.

This plan outlines the practical steps the City of Parramatta Council committed to take over the subsequent four (4) years to create a more inclusive community for people with disability who are living, working, and accessing the Parramatta local government area. It outlines how Council proposes to address the four key focus areas nominated by people with disability in previous community consultations as being of primary importance to them in creating an inclusive community. These are;

1. Positive community attitudes and behaviours
2. Creating liveable communities
3. Supporting access to employment
4. Improving access to services through better systems and processes

The current Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) was introduced in 2017 in response to a legislative mandate of the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW). The DIAP is a key tool for the Council achieving its goal of making Parramatta an accessible community where we can all get to where we want to go.

This DIAP was due to end June 2021. Due to the circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the postponement of the Council elections, the existing DIAP has been granted an extension by the Department of Communities & Justice for another 12 months until June 2022.

The NSW Government requires all councils to have a new DIAP in place by July 2022. The new DIAP is to be finalised after the 2021 Council elections with newly elected Councillors in place.

The Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) commits us to design our City so that it is usable by people of all ages and abilities, and more specifically tackle inequalities for residents, visitors, employees, workers. The DIAP sets out the specific aims, goals and actions to achieve this.

The DIAP will also be an important enabler for achievement of the Socially Sustainable Parramatta Framework (SSPF) goal of facilitating social connections to foster socially and culturally diverse, inclusive and empowered communities.

City of Parramatta is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider able to offer a range of services for people that have an NDIS package. These services range from Support Coordination, individual or group support, meal preparation and delivery through Meals on Wheels, assistance to access the community, social and recreational activities, accompanied shopping, meals and capacity building.

You can call our Community Care team on (02) 9806 5121 to talk about Council’s disability services.

Learn more here: https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/community/...

The City of Parramatta Council has an Access Advisory Committee. The purpose of this committee is to advise Council on the access needs of people with physical disabilities and access issues associated with intellectual, sensory, aural, visual, and psychological challenges.

If you are interested in learning more about the committee please contact the team on 1300 617 058 or email ccb@cityofparramatta.gov.au

All feedback relating to the DIAP actions will be taken into consideration when developing the new Plan, the team will use it to inform the new DIAP across the four Key areas.

If you would you like information in another language or format, please contact DIAP Project officer via phone on 1300 617 058 or you can email the team using ****