ÿWPCA §jƒ _«û³Õ+ZGj+šÜ·S¥<Îî;ÜÍ…Ï·1ÁfDÕJˆPÔÜKÁV¤s¬G|¿ !ðòþ4ëVp¬Z®p Sl+XÃlÛSbç⸃f7×dêr§nÏÖ›¡ÂyáZ* R:"&#Z7ë"4ùбk]Ô<þn€«Ÿ@=?òÁ¨·OXuü(H¯ÒpU0€ %°¶ 0s¶w)4-#|x)Ͼ¦ p`CG TimesX(Kh$¡¡ÑTRVüÏ6Á&A4 Portrait3Ø'Ï6Á&A4 Portraitÿ3Ø'TÑÒ±°ÒÒ±°ÒÔ$Zn<ÔÔOZUS.,ÔÓm°#°ˆa9  ê ÂØL$ýÕ®†_ ‚Øè%À'™)q+J-‚ØÓ2«4„6\85:‚ؾ?–AoCGE G‚Ø©L°œXÓÔ  ÔÑ  ÑÔ€XÎxXXXÔÉf´"K¾2#Ý ƒh!ÝÑTRVüÏ6Á&A4 Portrait3Ø'Ï6Á&A4 Portraitÿ3Ø'TÑÒ±°ÒÒ±°ÒÔ$Zn<ÔÔOZUS.,ÔÓm°#°ˆa9  ê ÂØL$ýÕ®†_ ‚Øè%À'™)q+J-‚ØÓ2«4„6\85:‚ؾ?–AoCGE G‚Ø©L°œXÓÔ  ÔÑ  ÑÔ€XÎxXXXÔÝ  ÝÓ  ӀР° Ѐ̀̀̀Ìà ‰ àà b àDisability€€Ìà ‰ àà b àà : àà  àà ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àAction€Plan€Ì€Ì€ÌHealth€Insurance€Commission€€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌTable€of€contents€Ì€ÌWhat€is€the€Disability€Discrimination€Act?à t àà M àà % àà þ à1€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ¶ ЀÌWho€are€people€with€disabilities?à Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à2€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ˆØ ЀÌWhy€have€an€action€plan?à ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à3€Ð Zª ЀÌWho€is€the€HIC?à  àà ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à3€Ð ,| ЀÌMission€statementà  àà ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à4€Ð þN ЀÌGovernment€Programsà ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à4€Ð Ð!   ЀÌConsultation€about€the€Action€Plan€à œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à5€Ð ¢#ò" ЀÌWhat€does€the€Action€Plan€cover?à œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ àà Ö à5€Ð t%Ä $ ЀÌCore€strategies€for€actionà ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à6€Ð F'–"& ЀÌTimetable€of€action€Ì€Ìà ‰ àà b àPlanning€and€policy€developmentà t àà M àà % àà þ à8à Ö àà ¯ àà ‡ àAccountabilityÐ ê*:&* Ðà ‰ àà b àà : àà  àà ë àà Ä à9€Ìà ‰ àà b àEducation€and€Trainingà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à10€Ð ¼, (, Ðà ‰ àà b àCommunicationà ë àà Ä àà œ àà t àà M àà % à11€Ð ¥-õ(- Ðà ‰ àà b àConsultation€and€Participationà t àà M àà % àà þ à13€Ð Ž.Þ). Ðà ‰ àà b àAccessibility€of€buildingsà œ àà t àà M àà % àà þ à15€Ð w/Ç*/ Ðà ‰ àÐ  `0°+0 ÐWhat€is€the€Disability€Discrimination€Act?€Ì€ÌThe€Disability€Discrimination€Act€(the€Act),€came€into€effect€in€1€March€1993.€It€reflects€a€changeÏin€focus€from€a€welfare€approach€to€a€rights-based€approach€to€disability€issues.€It€recognises€thatÏpeople€with€disabilities€have€the€same€fundamental€rights€as€all€other€Australian€residents,€includingÏthe€right€to€participate€fully€in€community€life.€Ì€ÌOver€the€past€ten€years€there€have€been€a€number€of€significant€reforms€to€enhance€opportunitiesÏfor€people€with€disabilities.€These€have€included€major€legislative€and€policy€changes€such€as€theÏDisability€Services€Act€1986,€the€1991€Disability€Reform€Package€and€the€Recent€CommonwealthÏDisability€Strategy€1994.€Ì€ÌThe€Commonwealth€Disability€Strategy€1994€provides€a€practical€framework€to€meet€theÏCommonwealth's€obligations€under€the€Disability€Discrimination€Act€and€the€United€NationsÏStandard€Rules.€The€Strategy€is€a€ten€year€planning€framework€for€Commonwealth€agencies€toÏimprove€access€to€all€Commonwealth€programs,€services€and€facilities€for€people€with€disabilities.€Ì€ÌThe€Commonwealth€has€taken€positive€steps€to€demonstrate€its€ongoing€commitment€to€equalÏopportunity€for€people€with€disabilities,€but€a€great€deal€remains€to€be€done.€Translating€policy€intoÏconcrete€action€will€require€a€continued€effort€on€the€part€of€Government€and€a€strong€partnershipÏwith€the€disability€community.€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌWho€are€people€with€disabilities?€Ì€ÌDisability€in€relation€to€a€person€means:€Ì€Ìà ‰ àtotal€or€partial€loss€of€the€person's€bodily€or€mental€functions;€Ìà ‰ àtotal€or€partial€loss€of€a€part€of€the€body;€Ìà ‰ àthe€presence€in€the€body€of€organisms€causing€disease€or€illness;€Ìà ‰ àthe€presence€in€the€body€of€organisms€capable€of€causing€disease€or€illness;€Ìà ‰ àthe€malfunction,€malformation€or€disfigurement€of€a€part€of€the€person's€body;€Ìà ‰ àa€disorder€or€malfunction€that€results€in€the€person€learning€differently€from€a€person€¼à ‰ àà b àwithout€the€disorder€or€malfunction;€or€Ìà ‰ àa€disorder,€illness€or€disease€that€affects€a€person's€thought€processes,€perception€or€¼à ‰ àà b àreality,€emotions€or€judgement€or€that€results€in€disturbed€behaviour.€Ð `0°+0 ЀÌThis€includes€a€disability€that:€Ì€Ìà ‰ àpresently€exists;€Ìà ‰ àpreviously€existed€but€no€longer€exists;€Ìà ‰ àmay€exist€in€the€future;€or€Ìà ‰ àis€imputed€to€a€person.€Ì€ÌThe€Disability€Discrimination€Act€also€makes€it€unlawful€to€discriminate€against€a€person€becauseÏhe€or€she€is€an€associate,€such€as€a€friend,€partner,€carer€or€family€member,€of€a€person€withÏdisabilities.€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌWhy€have€an€action€plan?€Ì€ÌAn€action€plan€allows€change€to€occur€in€a€proactive€manner€rather€than€just€reacting€to€complaintsÏwhich€are€lodged.€These€plans€may€be€taken€into€account€by€the€Human€Rights€and€EqualÏOpportunity€Commission€if€complaints€are€lodged€against€an€agency.€The€Commonwealth€DisabilityÏStrategy€requires€each€department€and€agency€to€present€an€action€plan€to€the€Commission€by€1997.€Ì€ÌAn€action€plan€is€about€good€management€and€client€focus.€€It€is€about€ensuring€that€everyone,Ïregardless€of€their€disability,€has€an€opportunity€to€access€the€services€that€are€available€to€allÏAustralians.€Ì€Ì€ÌWho€is€the€Health€Insurance€Commission€(HIC)?€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€is€a€Commonwealth€statutory€authority€established€by€the€Health€Insurance€CommissionÏAct€1973€(the€Act).€Government€activities€include€Medicare,€the€Pharmaceutical€Benefits€Scheme,Ïthe€Commonwealth€Childcare€Cash€Rebate€Scheme,€the€Australian€Childhood€ImmunisationÏRegister,€the€Department€of€Veterans'€Affairs€Treatment€Accounts,€the€Better€Practice€Program,Ïand€Australian€Hearing€Services.€The€HIC€also€oversees€Medibank€Private€which€operatesÏcommercially€as€a€not-for-profit€€private€health€insurance€fund.€The€HIC€processes€and€pays€claimsÏin€all€these€areas€and€records€relevant€data.€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ð `0°+0 Ѐ̀̀̀̀̀̀ÌMission€statement€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€exists€to€support€the€delivery€of€quality€health€and€child€care€to€Australian€residents€byÏproviding€the€highest€quality€benefit€payment€services€and€private€health€insurance€services€andÏensuring€that€all€benefit€payments€are€correctly€made€for€services€properly€rendered.€Ì€Ì€ÌGovernment€programs€Ì€ÌMedicare€ÌProvides€free€access€to€public€hospital€services€for€all€Australian€residents€and€range€of€benefitsÏto€help€meet€the€cost€of€medical€and€other€services€itemised€in€the€medical,€optometrical€and€dentalÏbenefits€schedules.€Ì€ÌPharmaceutical€Benefits€Scheme€ÌThe€Commonwealth€Government,€through€the€Pharmaceutical€Benefits€Scheme€(PBS),€subsidisesÏthe€cost€of€over€1,200€essential€prescription€medicines.€Most€people€are€unaware€that€the€real€costÏof€some€medicines€is€as€high€as€$500.€These€subsidies€are€available€to€all€Australian€residents€andÏresidents€of€countries€with€whom€Australia€has€reciprocal€health€care€agreements.€Ì€ÌCommonwealth€Childcare€Cash€Rebate€Scheme€ÌThe€Commonwealth€Childcare€Cash€Rebate€is€a€Government€payment€which€helps€families€withÏthe€cost€of€work-related€child€care.€€Ì€ÌThe€Australian€Childhood€Immunisation€Register€ÌThe€Register€aims€to€monitor€immunisation€coverage€and€service€delivery.€This€enables€theÏidentification€of€regions€of€high€risk,€where€large€numbers€of€children€are€without€immunisation.ÏIt€will€also€enable€parents€to€determine€the€immunisation€status€of€their€child€regardless€of€whereÏin€Australia€prior€immunisation€services€were€rendered€prior€to€the€introduction€of€the€Register.€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌConsultation€about€the€Action€Plan€Ì€ÌIn€the€development€of€this€Action€Plan€all€program€areas€identified€fields€of€responsibility€andÏbarriers€faced€by€HIC€clients€and€staff€within€their€own€environment.€Each€area€liaised€withÏrelevant€groups€in€the€development€of€their€own€mini€action€plans€that€have€been€incorporated€intoÐ `0°+0 Ðthe€HIC's€overall€plan.€A€draft€plan€was€also€sent€to€the€Office€of€Disability€in€the€CommonwealthÏDepartment€of€Health€and€Family€Services€and€a€national€disability€consumer€organisation€forÏcomment€prior€to€the€plan's€submission€to€the€Human€Rights€and€Equal€Opportunities€Commission.€Ì€Ì€ÌWhat€does€the€Action€Plan€cover?€Ì€ÌThe€Action€Plan€outlines€actions€to€be€taken€by€the€HIC€to€ensure€that€people€with€disabilities€haveÏan€equal€opportunity€to€participate€in€and€benefit€from€the€HIC's€policies,€programs,€and€facilities.€Ì€ÌThe€Disability€Action€Plan€covers€a€variety€of€issues€relating€to€discrimination€against€people€withÏdisabilities€including:€Ì€Ìà ‰ àactual€and€potential€discriminatory€practices;€Ìà ‰ àmechanisms€to€address€discrimination;€Ìà ‰ àspecific€time€frames€for€addressing€identified€problems;€and€Ìà ‰ àdesired€outcomes.€Ì€ÌThis€Action€Plan€has€been€developed€after€broad€consultation€across€the€HIC.€It€aims€to€graduallyÏintroduce€improvements€and€recognises€that€attitudinal€and€systemic€change€can€be€a€long-termÏprocess.€Ì€ÌThe€Action€Plan€contains:€Ì€Ìà ‰ àa€brief€outline€of€the€HIC's€program€and€organisational€structure;€Ìà ‰ àa€description€of€the€major€barriers€facing€people€with€disabilities€in€relation€to€the€HIC'sÏfunctions€and€responsibilities;€and€Ìà ‰ àresponses€from€specific€program€areas.€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌCore€strategies€for€action€Ì€ÌAccessibility€of€buildings€Ì€ÌAll€premises€which€house€HIC€functions€need€to€be€accessible€to€people€with€disabilities.€ThisÏincludes€venues€where€meetings,€training€courses€and€conferences€are€held€and€buildings€whereÏfunded€services€are€located.€Ì€ÌAccessibility€to€premises€does€not€just€mean€getting€in€the€door.€It€also€relates€to€accessingÏbuildings€in€a€dignified€way€and€being€able€to€move€around€within€a€building€with€ease€through€theÏmeans€of€accessible€lifts,€toilets,€conference€rooms,€and€appropriate€signage€(such€as€tactile€andÏaudio€signs).€Ì€ÌCommunication€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€must,€in€consultation€with€people€with€disabilities,€develop€strategies€to€make€informationÏservices€and€documentation€accessible€for€different€groups€of€people€with€disabilities,€taking€intoÏaccount€linguistic€and€cultural€needs.€Ð `0°+0 ЀÌEducation€and€training€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€must,€through€training€and€awareness€programs,€ensure€all€staff€are€sensitive€to€clientÏdiversity€and€its€implications€for€policy€formulation,€program€design€and€delivery.€Such€trainingÏshould€involve€people€with€disabilities€in€developing€programs€and€the€provision€of€training.€Ì€ÌSupervisors€and€co-workers€must€also€be€aware€of€the€abilities€or€needs€of€people€with€disabilitiesÏin€the€workplace€or€the€adjustments€that€can€easily€be€made€to€assist€them€to€reach€their€fullÏpotential€in€the€workplace.€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌConsultation€and€participation€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€must€consult€with€people€with€disabilities€on€policy€development,€program€design,Ïdelivery€and€the€effectiveness€of€equal€opportunity€measures.€Consultative€mechanisms€need€to€beÏstrengthened€so€that€the€views€of€people€with€disabilities€continue€to€be€heard€in€meaningful€ways.€Ì€ÌThe€inclusion€of€people€with€disabilities€in€advisory€and€review€processes€will€increase€theÏlikelihood€of€their€needs€being€taken€into€account€in€the€evaluation€of€existing€services€and€theÏdesign€of€new€programs.€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€must€seek€equitable€participation€of€representatives€of€groups€of€people€with€disabilitiesÏin€government€advisory€and€review€bodies€and€processes.€Ì€ÌPlanning€Ì€ÌTo€ensure€equitable€access€is€provided€for€people€with€disabilities€to€all€aspects€of€CommonwealthÏactivity,€the€HIC€is€expected€to€incorporate€access€and€equity€objectives€into€corporate€planningÏand€relevant€program€and€service€delivery€planning.€Ì€ÌCoordination€Ì€ÌA€cooperative€approach€in€the€implementation€of€the€Commonwealth€Disability€Strategy€andÏdisability€policy€more€generally€will€save€time,€resources€and€duplication€of€effort.€Ì€ÌAccountability€Ì€ÌThe€HIC€must€be€accountable€to€the€community€and€to€government€for€the€provision€of€equitableÏand€accessible€public€services€and€programs€to€all€persons€entitled€to€that€service.€Ì€ÌEmployment€Ì€Ð `0°+0 ÐEnsure€that€people€with€disabilities€have€equal€access€to€employment€opportunities€within€the€HICÏand€ensure€that€facilities,€conditions€and€the€way€we€conduct€our€business€caters€to€the€needs€ofÏpeople€with€disabilities.Ð  ‚Ò ÐCore€strategy:€Planning€and€policy€development€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð ‚Ò ÐSocial€justice€planning€for€people€with€disabilities€should€be€integrated€with€other€access€and€equityÏplanning€and€reporting€processes€and€general€corporate€€planning€à Ö àIncorporate€issues/actions€inÐ T¤ ÐHIC€planning€processes€€Highlight€actions/issues€in€corporate,€State€and€divisional€planningÏprocesses€€à : àAll€areas€à ë àOngoing€à œ àMore€formal€practices€in€place€for€developing,Ð & v Ðimplementing€and€measuring€success€of€strategies€€ÌMonitoring€and€Evaluation€of€Equity€and€Diversity€within€HIC€€à Ö àDevelopment€of€three€yearÐ ø H Ðstrategic€plan€€à : àWork€Environment€Group€€à M àFeb€1997€€à Ö àHIC€will€have€a€plan€thatÐ á 1  Ðincorporates€issues€facing€people€with€disabilities€€€ÌProgress€consistent€with€Action€Plan€needs€to€be€demonstrated€and€Action€Plan€regularly€revised€¼à ‰ àCoordination€of€reporting€against€Action€Plan€à % àGovernment€Promotions€à ` àAnnually€Ð œì  Ðà ‰ àProgress€reports€prepared€and€distributed€throughout€HIC€and€to€Human€Rights€and€EqualÏOpportunities€Commission€€ÌImplementation€of€Plan€by€State€offices€and€customer€service€centres€à ¯ àAll€programs€andÐ W§  Ðdevelopment€strategies€in€State€offices€and€customer€service€centres€to€incorporate€disability€issues€¼à ‰ àState€offices€and€customer€service€centres€à M àOngoing€à þ àAction€Plan€implemented€in€States€Ð )y Ð̀̀̀̀̀̀̀̀̀ÌCore€strategy:€Accountability€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð þN ÐA€need€to€recognise€and€promote€efforts€relating€to€implementation€of€disability€strategy€à 8! àÐ ç 7 ÐReporting€in€Annual€Report€à Ä àParliamentary€Liaison€à þ àAnnually€à ¯ àSetting€a€benchmark€fromÐ Ð!   Ðwhich€to€work€and€improve€reporting€on€progress€of€disability€strategy€€ÌPersonnel€policies€€and€practices€à œ àEquity€and€Diversity€principles€to€be€consistently€appliedÐ ¢#ò" Ðin€all€areas€of€strategic€and€management€planning€à M àAll€management€areas€à ‡ àOngoing€€à 8! àIncreasedÐ ‹$Û# Ðawareness€€and€application€of€principles€and€practices€throughout€HIC€€Ì€à ‰ àEnsure€that€staff€with€disabilities€have€the€same€access€to€Home€Based€Work€as€other€staff€Ð ]&­!% Ðà ‰ àPersonnel€à : àOngoing€à ë àIncreased€recognition€of€€rights€of€€people€with€disabilities€€Ð F'–"& Ѐà ‰ àMonitor/report€on€progress€of€Equity€and€Diversity€objectives€à ¯ àWork€Environment€GroupÐ /(#' ÐStates€à b àAnnual€à  àHighlight€access€and€equity€issues€€Ð )h$( Ѐà ‰ àExtract€information€on€national€and€overseas€trends€as€to€best€practice€assimilation€of€staffÐ *Q%) Ðwith€disabilities€à  àWork€Environment€Group€à M àOngoing€à þ àGreater€resource€base€when€dealingÐ ê*:&* Ðwith€needs€of€people€with€disabilities€€ÌÐ  ¼, (, ÐCore€strategy:€Education€and€training€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð ‚Ò ÐTraining€and€management€staff€need€to€be€able€to€train€staff€in€meeting€the€needs€of€€people€withÏdisabilities€à : àUndertake€a€Train€the€Trainer€Conference€à þ àGovernment€Promotions€à 8! à1997€Ð T¤ Ðà ‰ àTrainers€and€senior€management€will€be€better€equipped€to€train€staff€in€Central€and€StateÏoffices€to€recognise€and€meet€issues€facing€people€with€disabilities€€ÌTraining€and€development€à ë àEncourage€staff€who€are€applying€to€attend€courses€to€identify€anyÐ  _ Ðspecial€needs€à : àStaff€Development€Branch€Training€areas€in€States€€à ¯ àOngoing€à ` àBetterÐ ø H Ðunderstanding€of€needs€of€people€with€disabilities€by€staff€€ÌÐ  Ê   ÐCore€strategy:€Communication€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð ‚Ò ÐHIC€program€information€needs€to€be€available€in€other€than€existing€formats€à ‡ àThe€provision€ofÐ k» Ðinformation€on€disk€or€other€electronic€formats€as€appropriate€on€request.€This€includes€makingÏinformation€available€through€the€Internet€To€look€into€the€viability€of€using€braille€and€audioÏcassette€à b àGovernment€Promotions/€Personnel€à M àOngoing€à þ àWill€help€to€meet€the€needs€of€peopleÐ & v Ðwith€a€range€of€disabilities€who€have€trouble€accessing€information€on€HIC€programs€throughÏexisting€communication€channels€€€ÌInformation€and€issues€relating€to€HIC€programs€need€to€be€advertised/€€promoted€in€a€diverseÏrange€of€publications€to€reach€the€disabled€community€à % àResearch€and€advertise€in€a€range€ofÐ Ê   Ðpublications€targeted€towards€people€with€disabilities€à % àGovernment€Promotions€à ` à1997€Ð ³  Ðà ‰ àIncreased€communication€channels€for€people€with€disabilities€accessing€information€aboutÏHIC€programs€€ÌMore€effort€needs€to€be€made€to€reach€a€wider€range€of€HIC€clients€€à ¯ àHave€informationÐ n¾  Ðincluded€on€Radio€for€the€Print€Handicapped€à M àGovernment€Promotions€à ‡ à1996/7€à 8! àGreaterÐ W§  Ðaccess€to€issues€relating€to€HIC€programs€by€a€range€of€people€including€many€with€disabilities€€ÌLimited€TTY€service€à  àInvestigate€potential€of€expanding€existing€TTY€service€à ` àGovernmentÐ )y ÐPromotions€à : à1997€à ë àImproved€facility€for€people€with€hearing€impairments€to€access€HICÐ b Ðservices€€Ì€Ì€Ì€ÌÐ  Ÿï ÐCore€strategy:€Communication€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð ‚Ò ÐLittle€or€no€contact€with€relevant€bodies€à t àImprove€communication€with€relevant€bodies€and€seekÐ k» Ðinput€into€decision€making€processes€à œ àGovernment€Promotions€à Ö à1997€à ‡ àImprovedÐ T¤ Ðcommunication€with€relevant€bodies€resulting€in€improved€services€for€people€with€disabilities€€ÌAdvertising€positions€à  àPublicise€the€HIC€in€the€media€in€ways€that€will€attract€applicants€withÐ & v Ðdisabilities€€Investigate€the€use€of€other€media€to€advertise€positions€e.g€TTY,€computer€disk,€toÏattract€people€with€disabilities€€Encourage€applicants€with€disabilities€to€identify€themselves€andÏstate€any€special€needs€relating€to€job€information€and€interview€arrangements€à ‡ àPersonnel€areas€inÐ á 1  ÐStates€and€CO€€Personnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€€€Personnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€à 8! àOngoing€Ð Ê   Ѐ1997€€€€Ongoing€à  àUse€of€non-mainstream€media€for€selected€positions€€Better€understandingÐ ³  Ðof€communication€methods€to€reach€people€with€disabilities€€High€participation€of€people€withÏdisabilities€in€position€applications€€ÌEliminating€harassment€and€unlawful€discrimination€à % àProvide€information€to€all€staff€on€theÐ n¾  Ðrelevant€provisions€of€the€DDA€relating€to€employment€in€Action€Plan€and€the€Equity€and€DiversityÏStrategic€Plan€à : àStaff€Development€Branch€Work€Environment€Group€à ¯ àOngoing€à ` àGreaterÐ @ Ðawareness€of€issues€surrounding,€and€decreased€incidences€of,€discrimination€against€people€withÏdisabilities€€ÌStaff€members€who€are€carers€€à Ä àProvide€information€to€staff€on€resources€and€options€for€staffÐ ûK Ðmembers€who€are€carers€of€people€with€disabilities€including€extracts€from€Terms€and€ConditionsÏof€Service€e.g€leave€provisions€à Ä àWork€Environment€Group€Personnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€Ð Í Ðà ‰ àOngoing€à : àGreater€awareness€of€resources€available€relevant€to€people€with€disabilities€€Ð ¶ Ѐ̀̀̀ÌCore€strategy:€Consultation€and€participation€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð e ÐStaffing€à b àProvide€a€forum€by€which€staff€with€disabilities€can€discuss€their€needs€and€problemsÐ þN Ðthat€arise€including€those€returning€to€work€with€permanent€or€temporary€disabilities€à 8! àÐ ç 7 ÐPersonnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€à œ àOngoing€à M àGreater€€awareness€and€identification€of€concernsÐ Ð!   Ðfor€people€with€disabilities€€ÌConsultation€à : àConsult€with€disabled€groups€in€preparation€of€initial€Disability€Action€Plan€Ð ¢#ò" ÐConsult€with€other€Government€departments€(esp€Dept€of€Health€and€Family€Services)€and€otherÏrelevant€community€organisations€to€adopt€best€practice€principles€à Ö àGovernment€Promotions€€Ð t%Ä $ Ðà ‰ à1996€€€Ongoing€à ë àBetting€€understanding€of€disability€issues€€Utilise€existing€resourcesÐ ]&­!% Ðand€compare€and€contrast€other€approaches€to€disability€issues€€ÌMobility€à b àThe€merit€principle€will€operate€at€all€times€in€matters€of€staff€rotation€or€transfer€€Ð /(#' Ðà ‰ àPersonnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€à t àOngoing€à % àGreater€skills€base€for€HIC€€Ð )h$( ÐSupervisors€à : àProvide€access€to€training€about€building€teams€that€include€people€with€disabilitiesÐ *Q%) Ðto€first€line€supervisors€à ë àStaff€Development€Branch€State€training€areas€à ‡ àOngoing€à 8! àÐ ê*:&* ÐImproved€training€practices€€ÌÐ  ¼, (, ÐCore€strategy:€Consultation€and€participation€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð ‚Ò ÐPhysical€environment€€€à ë àUnder€the€principle€of€reasonable€adjustment,€provide€any€relevantÐ k» Ðequipment€and€other€support€needed€to€assist€staff€with€disabilities€to€perform€their€duties€includingÏany€changes€to€duties.€Ensure€that€the€work-stations€and€associated€equipment€e.g€PCs,€telephones,Ïsoftware€are€adaptable€for€staff€with€disabilities€à M àWork€Environment€Group€States€€WorkÐ & v ÐEnvironment€Group€Personnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€à % àOngoing€€€€€As€required€à ` àBetter€facilitiesÐ  _ Ðfor€people€with€disabilities€€€€€€ÌParticipation€à : àProvide€support€and€publicity€for€support€networks€of€staff€with€disabilities€-€Ð á 1  Ðencourage€groups€to€liaise€with€other€relevant€external€groups€and€organisations€à ` àWorkÐ Ê   ÐEnvironment€Group€Staff€Staff€Development€Branch€Personnel€areas€in€States€and€CO€à 8! àOngoing€Ð ³  Ðà ‰ àEncourage€communication€between€people€with€disabilities€within€the€HIC€and€theÏestablishment€of€support€groups€€ÌÐ  n¾  ÐCore€strategy:€Accessibility€of€buildings€Ì€ÌIssue€à b àAction€à  àArea€à Ä àTime€à t àOutcomes€€Ð ‚Ò ÐPhysical€environment€€€€€€Buildings€must€be€accessible€to€staff,€clients€and€visitors€with€disabilities€¼à ‰ àEnsure€that€all€premises€occupied€by€the€HIC€meet€the€relevant€standards€for€access€by€peopleÏwith€disabilities€and€that€adequate€funds€and€other€resources€are€provided€to€ensure€compliance€withÏthese€standards€€The€HIC€will€ensure€that€accessibility€issues€are€incorporated€as€a€component€ofÏany€agreed€"scope€of€works"€concerning€initial€fit-out,€refurbishment€and€new€construction€of€HICÏpremises€à b àFinance€and€Planning€in€association€with€States€€€Finance€and€Planning€Division€inÐ ø H Ðassociation€with€States€à ë àOngoing€€€€€€Ongoing€à % àBuildings€accessible€and€"friendly"€toÐ á 1  Ðpeople€with€disabilities€€€€€Building€accessible€to€people€with€a€disability€in€both€a€practical€andÏlegalistic€sense€€ÌCoordination€à : àUse€reference€groups€to€consider€and€advise€on€refurbishment€and€newÐ œì  Ðconstruction/fitouts€à  àFinance€and€Planning€à M àOngoing€à þ àBetter€focus€of€the€needs€of€peopleÐ …Õ  Ðwith€disabilities€€Ì€Ì