A LOCAL council has called on community input on a disability access and inclusion plan (DAIP) that will see people with disabilities have better access to services and more opportunities to particpate in aspects of the Loxton-Waikerie community.
The District Council of Loxton Waikerie is currently developing its DAIP and has asked residents who either have, live with or care for someone with a disability to participate in a survey to determine how accessible and inclusive its current services are so it can improve upon them in future.
District Council of Loxton Waikerie CEO David Beaton said it was important for council to recognise and be aware of people with disabilities when providing its services, and the plan contribute towards creating a more accessible and inclusive organisation and community.
“It leads on from lots of things that are going on in the community of the NDIS that’s being rolled out more and is creating a greater awareness of people with disabilities,” he said.
“We contribute a lot to infrastructure, so if we’re doing a lot of infrastructure things we need to be able to take into account people with disabilities.
“It’s (also) trying to make sure there’s an awareness across the council when we’re doing anything – that we have the circumstances of people with disabilities at the forefront of their minds to be able to make the best decision so people aren’t disenfranchised.”
Mr Beaton said there was room for improvement when it came to the inclusivity and accessibility of council’s services, and he hoped to see that come to fruition with the development of this plan.
“I think some of the angles on some our footpaths and things aren’t necessarily good for people with disabilities with wheelchair access and things like that,” he said.
“(Additionally, with) some of the access into buildings, I think there’s a lot more that can be done.”
Feedback received will inform the development of a draft DAIP for 2020-24, which will be presented to council for adoption at a later date.
For the purpose of the survey, a disability can be defined as intellectual, mental, sensory or physical.