KINGSTON Council has drafted a plan to create a more accessible area for people living with disabilities.
Council’s four-year “all-abilities action plan” outlines 31 actions which can be taken to create better outcomes for people with disabilities. They include increasing the number of people with disabilities employed by council, the establishment of a disability access and inclusion consultative forum, a focus on universal design principles in all infrastructure projects, and work with local businesses.
Kingston mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said that 16 people with disabilities contributed to the plan.
“The courageous, passionate, and forthright contributions of our lived experience team have gifted us a very real and honest plan,” Davey-Burns said. “Vitally the team’s various backgrounds within the local community have ensured there were many and varied opportunities for local people to have an input. Careful consultation has given a voice to people living with all forms of disability, including those with more severe or profound disability who often experience paternalistic and disempowering approaches to design.”
The plan is in its draft form and is subject to community consultation, which is open until 5 February.
To view the plan and make a submission visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/draft-all-abilities-action-plan.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 6 December 2023