Mandurah ‘second to none’ for people with disabilities

The 2015-2020 plan is the third access and inclusion plan since 2007 and aims to further reduce the gap between the city and people with disabilities by providing suitable infrastructure, facilities, events and programs. 

Some of the goals of the new plan involve providing better inclusion opportunities for people with disabilities in events and the council’s facilities, ensuring  they can access the information provided by the City and training staff employed by the council in awareness and skills to provide a better service to people with disabilities.

The plan also aims at providing  better opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in public consultation and to have access to employment opportunities within the City.

Initiatives such as the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre upgrade, an improvement of the usability of the City’s official website to be disability-friendly and training of the staff members in access and inclusion are some of the ongoing policies within the plan.

The launching event included performances from Catch Music, a not-for-profit organisation that brings to people with all sorts of backgrounds and disabilities the opportunity to learn and play music.

 Officers and elected members of the city of Mandurah and several organisations also gave inaugural speeches.

WA Disability Services Commission Director General Dr Ron Chalmers recognised the outstanding role of the City of Mandurah in providing inclusion as ‘second to none’ as well as job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Community First International and Access and Inclusion Advisory Group member Tennille O Neill also presented several garments created by members of Community First with disabilities for the Common Threads Wearable Art competition that included this year’s colourful dress ‘Refraction’. 

Kim O’Neil, member of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Group and Poles Apart Theatre Company acknowledged the city’s step forward in inclusion but said “there’s still a long way to go”. 

The event concluded with a Morning Tea served by SMP, a not-for-profit organisation that helps people with disabilities to fulfill their dreams by providing them with life and working skills.