With over 1.3 million people in NSW living with disability, Central Coast Council is continuing to improve accessibility so all residents and visitors can enjoy the region’s unique natural environment, services and facilities.

From accessible events and amenities through to beach wheelchair access and other social or economic opportunities, Council is working hard to remove the barriers people with a disability face each and every day.

We still have a long way to go, but we can all play a positive role in making it easier for people with disability to live and work on – as well as visit – the Central Coast. So here’s what we can do.

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Council is developing a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan to identify the barriers people with a disability face in our community when accessing services and facilities, and find the right solution.

The overall aim of the plan is to create a more inclusive community for people living with disabilities on the Central Coast by:

• Developing positive community attitudes and behaviours
• Creating more liveable communities
• Achieving a higher rate of meaningful employment participation through more inclusive employment practices
• Ensuring more equitable access to all services delivered to the community.

Council’s plan will support the NSW Government’s commitment to change attitudes and remove obstacles, so people with a disability have a better opportunity to live a meaningful life and enjoy the full benefits of being a community member.

An important part of developing the plan is to talk directly to, and seek feedback from people with a disability about what they think will make their community and council more accessible and inclusive.

To help the community provide feedback, Council is hosting a number of events across the Central Coast next month, including these community forums:

• Tuesday 6 September 2016 (6pm to 8pm)
  The Erina Centre (next to Erina Library)
• Wednesday 7 September 2016 (10am to 12pm)
  The Erina Centre (next to Erina Library)
• Tuesday 13 September 2016 (6pm to 8pm)
  The Blue Haven Community Centre
• Thursday 15 September 2016 (10am to 12pm)
  The Wyong Civic Centre (in Central Coast Council’s Wyong Office).

Guest speakers at the forums will include Leigh Creighton from the NSW Disability Council, as well as Central Coast ‘Living Life My Way’ ambassador Alanna Julian.

The forums are wheelchair accessible and have accessible amenities, a hearing loop, Auslan interpreters, a quiet zone, and accessible parking.

A Disability Inclusion Reference Group is also being formed, which will involve a blend of community members who live on the Central Coast and have a disability, carers and family members of those with disability, along with representatives from organisations providing services to people living with a disability.

More details about all these events, as well as the other opportunities you have to be part of the development of the plan, are available at
www.haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au

Alternatively, you can get in touch with Central Coast Council’s Disability Inclusion Officer by calling 4325 8222.