2006-2007 Annual Report - Disability Services Commission

2.3 Service Reports—Strategic Coordination
undertaken in regional areas of Western Australia aimed at LACs, service
providers and Aboriginal communities.
Completed year one of the Commission’s Substantive Equality Five Year Plan for
people from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,
including: the provision of service improvement grants; and provision of the
Getting Services Right package for Aboriginal people with disabilities, their
carers and service providers. Strategies to enhance LAC services were
implemented in the North Central metropolitan district; and an agreement
between Marr Mooditj and the Commission’s Accommodation Services
Directorate to provide disability training to Aboriginal Health and Support
Workers was developed.
Implemented the Eligibility Policy for Service Access for People with Autism, and
undertook consultation on the Commission’s broader eligibility policy.
Undertook negotiations with the Commonwealth Government for a fourth
Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement.
Completed the first annual report as required under the Carers Recognition Act
2004.
Access and Community Education
Strategic partnerships and projects undertaken between the Commission’s
Health Resource and Consultancy Team and generic medical service providers
have resulted in improved access to medical services and the development of
long term preventative strategies.
Grants were distributed through the Western Australian Local Government
Association to local governments across the State to develop and implement
You’re Welcome – Western Australian Access Strategy packages.
Continued to raise community awareness on disability issues through the Count
Us In campaign which included:
• television advertisements re-run in October-November 2006;
• print media advertisements targeting the business community developed
and run in October-November 2006;
• launching the new Count Us In website;
• supporting the sector in implementing community awareness strategies
funded with the community awareness grants; and
• implementing a business strategy around employment of people with
disabilities using a reference group with representatives from the sector.
The Count Us In! curriculum support package to promote disability awareness
for school children was completed and distributed to all State, Catholic and
independent schools across Western Australia.
The first report on Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIP) was presented
to Parliament in December 2006. Resources for DAIP requirements were
developed and distributed to all State Government agencies to assist in
reporting requirements by agents and contractors. Training about DAIP
requirements, including reporting for agents and contractors, was provided for
all State Government agencies in the metropolitan area.
62 Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2006–2007