City of Canterbury Bankstown has adopted a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for 2022-26.

The plan was prepared in close consultation with the community including those with lived experiences, something that Mayor Khal Asfour says was particularly important.

“We needed to consult the people with lived experience in disability in our area so that the plan reflects their needs. We’re committed to working on their priorities, including fostering positive attitudes and behaviours, creating liveable communities, increasing opportunities for employment and economic participation and improving systems and processes,” says Mayor Asfour.

Building on the success of Council’s last DIAP, the new DIAP is more ambitious, focusing on going above the minimum and considering principles of universal design.

Bankstown resident Julie Magill who lives with cerebral palsy, appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the plan. Julie serves on Council’s Universal Access Committee and attended focus groups and gave feedback before the plan was adopted.

 “To have been part of the process is a big step, not just for me, but for other disabled people. To be involved in the conversation and decisions on what is important for the next four years shows that disabled people are front and centre of the plan,” says Julie.

“The plan means that people with disability will have better access to the community and it lifts barriers to employment and makes information more accessible,” she says.

Fellow committee member and Yagoona resident, Dr. Abdul Zaitoun, emphasises the importance of the plan in combating isolation for people with disability.

"Isolation can be a big issue. We need to have respect for people with disability and help them be integrated into the community,” he says.

The DIAP was adopted by Council on Thursday 23 June 2022 with implementation beginning on Friday 1 July 2022.

To read the DIAP, visit cb.city/diap. Accessible versions include Easy Read, Rich Text Format and Auslan, as well as summaries in various community languages.