Disability Discrimination Act Action Plans : A Guide for Non-Government Organisations
Non-government organisations are known for their commitment to social justice for all people, and to the provision of services which are accessible to all members of the community. This guide will assist an organisation to review and modify its practices so as to ensure that its crucial services are accessible to people with disabilities.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is a piece of Commonwealth legislation which creates a new context for service provision. The Act requires that people with disabilities be given equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to the full range of social, political and cultural activities. Access for people with disabilities, including access to the goods, services and facilities provided by non-government organisations, can no longer be an after thought. The DDA is not about limited or 'parallel' access, but promotes and protects equality of access - physical, informational and attitudinal.
Action plans have the capacity to produce the systemic change which is required to eliminate disability discrimination, whether it be direct or unintentional and indirect. Through an Action Plan, a non-government organisation may reduce the risks of having complaints made against it under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. An Action Plan will also assist a non-government organisation better to meet its objective of providing high quality service to the whole community, of which people with disabilities constitute over 18%.
Providing a copy of your Action Plan to the Australian Human Rights Commission will act as a bold statement of your organisation's commitment to equality of opportunity for all your constituents.
We commend this guide to you, and look forward to the tangible advantage which will result for the whole community as people who have disabilities are able to move freely and contribute effectively to the social, cultural, political and economic environment in which we all live.