Disability Action Plan

Annex B - Checklist for Developing Reports/Policies in Consultation with People with Disabilities

This checklist has been adapted from Family and Community Services' Disability Action Plan 2001-2004

Consider the needs of people with disabilities

• Do you know what the impact of your report or policy will be for people with disabilities?
• Do you consider how the impact of your proposal may vary between people with different types of disabilities?
• Do you consult with people with disabilities, their representatives or other relevant agencies to determine the likely impact of any changes?
• How do you document that you have considered disability access issues as part of the process? (this needs to be included in your evaluation report).

Remember - this indicator applies to all mainstream Australian government policies and programs not just those that are 'disability specific'.

Identifying the needs of people with disabilities

• The Commonwealth Disability Strategy (CDS) Website lists a range of national peak disability organisations who may be able to advise on the impact of your proposed report or policy on people with disabilities - see www.facsia.gov.au/disability/cds/index.htm. It lists companies able to convert information into accessible formats such as Braille, easy English, large print, audiocassette and accessible electronic formats.  See also PC Net/Employment Conditions/Personnel Policy and Procedures/Accessibility & Diversity for a list of those organisations that have been identified as able to assist in the provision of various formats.

Identify and include people with disabilities as stakeholders

• In defining your target audience for consultation, do you consider whether some members of your audience will be people with disabilities?
• Are there any barriers in your consultation methods which would prevent a person with a disability from participating in the process for example, inaccessible venues for public consultations, lack of information in accessible formats, restricted timeframes for providing input?
• Do you seek input from organisations that represent the views of people with disabilities?
• Do you invite people with disabilities to be part of your reference or focus groups when developing reports or reviewing policies?

Remember – this indicator applies to all mainstream Commonwealth policies and programs not just those that are ‘disability specific’.

When should we consult?

Targeted consultations with people with disabilities are necessary when:

• disability specific policies, programs or services are being developed or changed; and
• whole community policies, programs or services which may have direct impacts on people with disabilities are being developed or changed.

When a whole community report or policy impacts equally on all, specific targeting of people with disabilities is not necessary.  However, people with disabilities represent a significant part of the community and they should be included as part of broadly representative consultations.

Who should we consult?

The disability community consists of people with disabilities, their families, carers, advocates and service providers.  These people may be from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, or may live in rural or remote areas.  Ideas about how to contact these people are listed in the CDS Kit 'Inclusive consultation - A practical guide to involving people with disabilities'.  This kit is available from Personnel.  The CDS website www.facsia.gov.au/disability/cds/index.htm also lists a range of national peak disability organisations.