Executive summary - dpac.tas.gov.au Web viewDepartment of Economic Development, Tourism and ... of DoE’s function and ... separate lists or sittings for them with dedicated Magistrates

PDACPremier's Disability Advisory CouncilReport on agency implementation of the Disability Framework for ActionNovember 2013

PDAC report on agency implementation of the DFA Executive summary....................................................................3Whole of government recommendations...................................4Part 1: Introduction....................................................................5

The Disability Framework for Action 2013-2017......................................5Review of the DFA....................................................................................5The National Disability Strategy...............................................................6Role of the Premier's Disability Advisory Council in monitoring the DFA..6Background to the agency reporting process...........................................7Attendance of Heads of Agencies at formal PDAC meetings....................7A closer working relationship between PDAC members and agencies.....7

Part 2: Purpose of this report.....................................................8The agency reporting structure................................................................8

Part 3: Agency by Agency..........................................................8Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA)..8Department of Education (DoE)................................................................9Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)................................8Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER).................13Department of Justice (Justice)...............................................................11Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC)..........................................12Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)................................................................................................11Department of Police and Emergency Management (DPEM)..................13Department of Treasury and Finance (Treasury)...................................12

Part 4: Outcome areas.............................................................14Outcome area: High-Quality Services/Responses/Supports...................14Outcome area: Employment (recruitment, retention, career development).........................................................................................15Outcome area: Physical access to buildings, facilities, equipment, outdoor spaces.......................................................................................16Outcome area: Information and Communication...................................17

Abbreviations...........................................................................18

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Executive summaryThe Disability Framework for Action 2013-2017 (DFA) outlines the Tasmanian Government's ongoing commitment to a society in which people with disability are able to fully participate, contribute, and achieve their potential.

Each year government agencies report to the Premier's Disability Advisory Council (PDAC) on their progress towards achieving the objectives of the DFA. In recent years, agencies have been asked to report using the most significant change reporting technique. This technique allows the inclusion of both qualitative and quantitative data as evidence of positive changes in the lives of people with disability.

While this form of reporting has been valuable in the past, PDAC members have expressed some concern about the limited and selective information this reporting approach provides. Such an approach makes it difficult for PDAC members to meet their responsibilities to report to the Premier on overall progress to achieving the goals of the DFA. As a result, PDAC has recommended changes to the annual reporting process, which are outlined in the Whole of government recommendations section below.

As in previous years, the PDAC review of agency reports found that although progress in some areas has been slow, a lot of good work is being done by agencies to meet the objectives of the DFA. This includes examples of agencies raising staff awareness of the needs of people with disability, providing key information in multiple accessible formats, and providing workplace opportunities for people with disability. PDAC found that most progress during the reporting period occurred in the area of improving access to government buildings and facilities for people with disability.

PDAC particularly commends the Departments of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC), Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Treasury and Finance (Treasury) for their work in implementing the first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Tasmania. The program launched in July 2013 and provides the capacity for beneficial support for up to one thousand 15 to 24 year old Tasmanians with disability during a critical stage of their lives. This is an exciting initiative, and paves the way for introduction of the full NDIS in 2016. Eventually the NDIS will allow the whole disability support service system to shift away from providing support dependent on budget availability to a system where individuals have plans for their lifelong care and the choice of how, by whom, and when services are delivered. This will remove uncertainty and provide choice and control to people with disability, their families and carers.

Other notable achievements include:

Significant improvements in the accessibility of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) to visitors with disability. Both physical access to the buildings and access to museum exhibits

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have been considered as part of the TMAG upgrades carried out over the past year.

Collaboration between the Department of Education (DoE), education departments in other state jurisdictions, and the University of Canberra, to develop an interactive online learning module for use in training teaching staff about the Disability Standards of Education (DSE)

Extension of the Hobart Magistrates Court Mental Health Diversion List to include persons with a cognitive disability or acquired brain injury (ABI). This continues the work done by the Department of Justice to address the overrepresentation of people with mental illness and cognitive disability in the Tasmanian justice system.

Creation of an ‘Interviewing Vulnerable Witnesses’ course by the Department of Police and Emergency Management (DPEM). Included as part of DPEM’s professional development program, this will help DPEM employees to understand and allow for the needs of people with disability who interact with the Department.

One agency worthy of special mention is the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA) for its ongoing leadership and organisational commitment to the wellbeing of people with disability.PDAC has proposed several whole of government recommendations (see below) and recommendations for individual agencies (see Part 3: Agency by agency).

This year there have been some excellent examples of PDAC members working effectively with agencies, enabling PDAC members to better understand the challenges facing agencies and contribute to solutions to some of the emerging issues identified in agency reports.

Whole of government recommendations

1. Disability Action Plans1.1That all agencies prioritise the development of new Disability Action

Plans (DAPS) that address the outcome areas of quality services, employment, physical access, and information and communication.

1.2That all agencies review the DFA to identify the goals and actions that are specifically relevant to their agency or particular divisions within the agency, and develop specific actions to be incorporated into their DAP.

1.3That DPAC take a leadership role in working with agencies to identify 'lead agencies' in relation to goals and actions identified in the DFA where 'lead agencies' are not apparent.

1.4That each agency identify appropriate mechanisms for internal reporting of progress made on the actions identified in their relevant DAP (this might, for example, be quarterly senior management meetings where progress on the agency DAP is a

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standard agenda item, or regular meetings between agency executives and divisional managers).

2. Future Reporting to PDAC 2.1That future agency reports to PDAC include measures of

performance against goals and actions listed in the relevant agency DAP, in addition to the 'significant change' reporting.

2.2That future agency reports to PDAC include mention of what actions, if any, have been taken in response to the PDAC recommendations made in the previous year. If no action has been taken, an explanation for this would be appropriate.

2.3That the Auditor General be requested to provide advice and options for PDAC in relation to effective monitoring of implementation of the DFA and agency DAPs.

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3. Information and communication3.1That all agencies identify key documents on their websites

(including, for example, annual reports, public consultation documents and documents providing key information to the public) that are currently available only in Portable Document Format (PDF), and provide electronic versions of these documents that are accessible to people using screen reader software and other assistive technologies.

3.2That greater interaction between departmental communications divisions occur to ensure a consistent whole of government approach to website accessibility and user testing.

Part 1: IntroductionThe Disability Framework for Action 2013-2017

The DFA articulates a vision of a Tasmanian society that highly values and continually enhances the full participation of people with disability. Through the DFA, the Government has committed to a comprehensive rights-based social policy approach to disability. This social justice approach to disability builds on foundations developed over decades of international and national human rights activism and legislative change.

The DFA asserts that, like all Tasmanians, people with disability have the right to fully participate in and contribute to society. However, it recognises that social, economic, cultural and political barriers prevent people with disability from fully participating, contributing and achieving their potential.

‘I have an impairment…but I encounter barriers within my society that disable me.’

The government plays a critical role in ensuring the removal of barriers to participation as well as recognising and promoting the human rights of people with disability. Broadly, the DFA describes the government’s responsibility as follows:

meaningfully consulting with people with disability to identify barriers to equitable access and participation in government programs, services, facilities and employment opportunities;

enabling the meaningful participation of people with disability in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services; and

ensuring that all employees understand, respect, and have the practical resources to respond to the rights of people with disability.

The Premier takes ultimate responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the DFA. This is due to recognition of the level of leadership required to achieve the vision of the DFA across government.

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Review of the DFA

In 2012, the State Government completed a review of the DFA 2005-2010. This review coincided with the introduction of the National Disability Strategy, a new national framework for disability policy. Extensive public consultation in relation to the DFA 2005-2010 Review Discussion Paper and the Draft Action Areas for the Disability Framework for Action 2013-2017, as well as advice from PDAC, assisted in the development of the current DFA 2013-2017.

The National Disability Strategy

In 2011 all state and territory governments and the Australian Government agreed to implement the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (the Strategy).

The Strategy sets out a ten-year national plan for improving life outcomes for Australians with disability, their families and carers. It will play an important role in protecting, promoting and fulfilling the human rights of people with disability. It will help ensure that the principles underpinning the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are incorporated into policies and programs affecting people with disability, their families and carers. It will also contribute to Australia’s reporting responsibilities under the Convention.

The Strategy sets out six policy areas under which action is to be undertaken:

1. Inclusive and accessible communities2. Rights protection, justice and legislation3. Economic security4. Personal and community support5. Learning and skills6. Health and wellbeing

The revised Tasmanian disability policy includes parts of the Strategy that have been identified as priorities and that can be undertaken by the Tasmanian Government.

There are many similarities between the Strategy and Tasmania's Framework. Both are concerned with a rights-based approach to disability; both identify strategies to remove barriers to the participation of people with disability; and both have a commitment to making positive differences in the lives of people with disability.

The Strategy includes specific measures of progress to determine its impact on improving life outcomes for people with disability. The new DFA 2013-2017 has also adopted measures of progress following the recommendations of the 2012 review.

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Role of the Premier's Disability Advisory Council in monitoring the DFA

The Premier's Disability Advisory Council (PDAC) was established in February 2007 to assist the Premier and government with implementation of the DFA. PDAC consists of up to eleven people from around Tasmania; members are people with disability and/or have strong community connections to people with disability, their families and carers. Through the Premier, PDAC:

provides advice to Government on services, policies and programs that have an impact on people with disability;

promotes awareness of the needs, rights and aspirations of people with disability; and

monitors the Government’s progress in removing barriers to the participation of people with disability.

Background to the agency reporting processIn December 2008, the Premier launched disability action plans for all Tasmanian Government Departments. Departments report annually to PDAC on their progress with implementation of the DFA.

One major weakness in the implementation of the original DFA and subsequent agency action plans was that benchmarks, performance indicators and measures of progress were not established. Therefore, agencies tended to report on implementation outputs, rather than outcomes that improved the lives of people with disability. In order to overcome this problem during the life of the previous DFA, PDAC asked agencies to report using the most significant change reporting technique. The benefits of this technique include an increased focus on outcomes for people with disability, and the ability to include both qualitative and quantitative data as evidence of change. This method of reporting continues under the current DFA, however PDAC has proposed a revised reporting process for the future.Attendance of Heads of Agencies at formal PDAC meetings

In November 2008, the Premier initiated a process of inviting Heads of Agencies to formal PDAC meetings to discuss their agency’s implementation of the DFA.

In 2012-2013 the Secretaries of DEDTA, DoE, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), and Treasury have attended PDAC meetings to report on the progress their agencies are making in relation to the DFA.

This process has been highly valued by PDAC members and Heads of Agencies as an opportunity to discuss implementation issues and agency responses to the DFA in relation to cultural and attitudinal change.

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A closer working relationship between PDAC members and agencies

In July 2010, PDAC endorsed a strategy to work more closely with agencies through the nomination of agency portfolios for individual PDAC members.

The application of this strategy has been inconsistent across agencies, with some strong and very constructive relationships developed and some instances where there has yet to be any contact between the agency and the nominated PDAC member.

Under this arrangement, PDAC members have developed closer ties with agency disability working groups through attending working group meetings and other contact as appropriate. This occurs with the understanding that PDAC members fulfil their role in a voluntary capacity and therefore their time and availability will be limited.

This initiative has enabled agencies to seek feedback directly from PDAC members on agency initiatives and build greater understanding within PDAC’s membership about the scope and breadth of agencies’ activities.

PDAC members have been able to further discuss and propose solutions to emerging issues and challenges that have been identified by agencies in their reports.

Although PDAC members bring substantial life experience and other skills to their role, they are not expected to be “experts” on all disability-related issues. Agencies are also encouraged to consult with specific experts, program/service users and employees with disability to ensure actions and policy development are evidence-based and/or meet legislative requirements (for example, on web and physical accessibility).

Part 2: Purpose of this reportThis report is PDAC's review of agency actions and outcomes that have been achieved over the last 12 months. The report:

highlights those agencies that have made substantial progress and/or achieved significant outcomes;

showcases commendable initiatives that demonstrate good practice;

notes those agencies or portfolio areas where stronger commitment and concerted action is required; and

makes recommendations that are intended to inform agency and whole of government actions and priorities over the next 12 months.

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The report will also inform the interactions between individual PDAC members and their nominated agency/portfolio areas. Through this collaborative relationship, PDAC members will support agencies to respond to identified priorities and provide advice to the Premier on solutions to emerging issues.The agency reporting structure

Agencies were asked to report on outcomes in four key areas:

1. Access to Services and Programs

2. Access to employment opportunities, career development, retention and recruitment

3. Access to buildings, facilities, venues and off-premises events

4. Access to Information (printed materials, websites, audio and video)

In each of these areas, agencies were asked to identify the most significant change, indicate what evidence supports the change, and identify emerging issues and challenges relating to the change.

Part 3: Agency by Agency

In this section, PDAC has provided brief comments on each agency report, noting commendable initiatives and making recommendations for future agency action. Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA)

PDAC commends the following initiatives/significant changes reported by this agency:

Adoption of universal accessible formatting by Arts Tasmania to increase ease of participation for people with disability.

Improving access to the performing arts for the Deaf community through the Open Captions for Performing Arts Initiative and demonstrating that providing captions can enhance the theatre experience of the entire audience.

Encouraging engagement and collaboration between the broader arts community and artists with a disability through the Access to Disability Forum.

Comprehensive review of the Sport and Recreation Framework for People with a Disability, informed by the review of the DFA.

Successful trial of the Langford Wilderness Course for people with a mental illness or intellectual disability, with the support of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

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Greatly improving the accessibility of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) as part of the major refurbishment works that have occurred over the previous year.

Improving the accessibility of DEDTA occupied offices, and developing an Asset Management Plan for the Launceston Silverdome that includes considerations for the needs of people with disability.

The ongoing advocacy by DEDTA’s Corporate Communications team for disability awareness in both internal and external communications, encouraging people to think in broad terms about who their intended audiences are and what they need to know.

PDAC recommends the following priorities for this agency over the next 12 months:

Further improvements to the accessibility of TMAG, including possibly forming an Access Advisory Committee, inviting visitor feedback regarding ease of access, and consideration of how to make exhibits more accessible to blind or vision impaired visitors.

Further consideration of sport and recreation options for people with vision impairment, as not all people with disability can participate in the same activities.

Greater emphasis on the employment of people with disability in the Department.

Ensuring funding is available to allow the continuation or expansion of some of DEDTA’s excellent initiatives.

Department of Education (DoE)


Provision of assistive technologies to students and education facilities, including iPads and various devices that benefit students with vision impairment. Expectations are that these technologies will significantly increase the capacity of students with disability to engage with both their peers and the curriculum.

Training of teaching staff in how to make use of assistive technologies when teaching students with disability.

Development, in conjunction with other state jurisdictions and the University of Canberra, of an interactive online learning module that provides explanations of the Disability Standards of Education (DSE) to teaching staff.

Continued implementation of the Tasmanian Adult Literacy Action Plan, including the work that LINC services have done with Disability Service Providers to identify groups likely to benefit from a literacy core skills program and the best methods of engaging those groups.

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Improvement of access to new and existing DoE facilities for people with disability, through both the Capital Investment Program (CIP) and the Minor Works Program.

The work of LINC Tasmania to improve access to its services for people with disability, as well as the production of a Plain English Guide and development of staff training workshops to improve the capacity of agency staff members to communicate in Plain English.


Continued promotion of disability training opportunities to teaching and support staff, to fill all available training places and to ensure that the greatest possible number of DoE staff receive this valuable training.

Continued development of transition support programs for students with disability, including the production of relevant information in multiple accessible formats for students and families.

Continuation of the Partnerships in Teaching Excellence (PiTE) scholarship initiative, with better advertising of the program to ensure higher numbers of applicants.

Consultation with DoE’s PDAC representative. This will improve PDAC’s understanding of DoE’s function and activities, and provide valuable input to DoE decisions regarding the best way to meet the needs of people with disability.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)


Practical role in the introduction of the NDIS in Tasmania.

Planned construction of up to 16 independent living units for young people with disability.

Continued work by Disability and Community Services and Housing Tasmania to support the provision of appropriate housing for people with disability, including modifications to existing accommodation.

Production of a ‘Managing Employees with a Mental Illness’ fact sheet after it was identified that managers in the Department lacked knowledge in this area, and efforts to promote the use of this and similar online fact sheets among agency managers.

Engagement of an access consultant to improve awareness of disability access issues in DHHS buildings, assess the accessibility of some typical building types, and assist in the development of a

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disability access template for inclusion in the Department’s Building Condition Assessment.

Recoding of the DHHS homepage to meet the AA standard of WCAG 2.0.

PDAC recommends the following priority for this agency over the next 12 months:

Continue the work of recoding DHHS websites until all pages meet the WCAG 2.0 AA standard.

Implement a system whereby clinic appointments at DHHS facilities can be confirmed by email as well as phone.

Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER)


The ongoing work by DIER to provide accessible public transport options in Tasmania.

Encouraging and subsidising the purchase of vehicles that comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Transport Standards by local bus operators.

Engagement of an external consultant (KPMG) to review DIER’s wheelchair accessible taxi (WAT) initiative and provide recommendations on how DIER might improve the scheme in the future.

Employment of a graduate to DIER through the State Service Graduate Program for People with Disability.


Development of a method for monitoring taxi compliance with Transport Standards requirements.

Monitoring of the current trial of universal design taxis in Western Australia.

Reviewing current mechanisms for consulting with the disability sector on the matter of transport access.

Planning to expand the targeted refurbishment program for off-bus infrastructure from urban fringe areas to the whole community.

Work with the Local Government Organisation of Tasmania (LGAT), Guide Dogs Tasmania, and other interested disability peak groups to develop a protocol that will guide local governments in designing

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and constructing accessible streetscapes and kerbside infrastructure.

Department of Justice (Justice)


Extension of the Hobart Magistrates Court Mental Health Diversion List to include persons with a cognitive disability or acquired brain injury (ABI).

Works to improve access to Justice facilities, including the Prison Infrastructure Redevelopment Program.

Adoption of a web accessibility-auditing tool for web content editors in the Department.

Involvement in the National Justice CEOs (NJCEOs) Working Group on Mental Illness and Cognitive Disability.


Greater emphasis on the employment of people with disability in the Department.

Installation of hearing loop technology in all administrative tribunals and hearing rooms.

Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC)


Leadership role in the introduction of the NDIS in Tasmania.

Continued support of, and participation in, the State Service Graduate Program for People with Disability.

Endorsement of Accommodation Guidelines requiring DPAC premises to meet the accessibility standards of the Building Code of Australia.

Delivery of Easy English training to State Service employees, and collaboration with the 26TEN team from DoE to develop Plain English and Adult Literacy Awareness training programs for government communications staff.


Increased focus on improving employment options and access to government information for people with disability.

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Greater emphasis on the proactive leadership role DPAC can play in supporting other agencies to develop employment strategies for the recruitment and retention of employees with disability.

Explore strategies that will encourage Local Governments to create Disability Action Plans and deliver positive outcomes for people with disability.

Assume a leadership role in the implementation of the DFA, including the identification of lead agencies who will direct government towards achieving each of the goals and actions outlined in the DFA.

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)


Provision of Mental Health Awareness training for Department staff.

The education and training programs being run at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (RTBG) in conjunction with Disability Employment Service Providers and other support organisations for people with disability.

Recognition and support of the need for workplace adjustments to accommodate employees with disability.

Continuing improvements to the accessibility of DPIPWE buildings and facilities.


Expansion of employment opportunities for people with disability in all areas of the agency, following the success of the programs conducted at the RTBG.

Department of Police and Emergency Management (DPEM)


Training of staff to increase awareness of the needs of people with disability, and of the support organisations that exist and can assist in meeting those needs.

Delivery of Project Wake Up! as a home fire safety program to people with disability.

Creation of the ‘Interviewing Vulnerable Witnesses’ course as part of the Department’s Professional Development program.

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Employment of a graduate hired through a Disability Employment Service Provider, and willingness to participate in the State Service Graduate Program for People with Disability.

Focus on improving access to all DPEM buildings and facilities, and ensuring that any new works or upgrades meet Australian Disability Standards.


Creation of a new section of the DPEM website that contains all contact information for the Department, including a list of the accessibility options and services (such as TTY, NRS) that are available.

Continued delivery of the ‘Interviewing Vulnerable Witnesses’ training program, with the possibility of expanding it or introducing a new program that focusses on interviewing vulnerable suspects.

Clarification of the responsibilities of broadcasters to provide accessible information in emergencies, and engagement with the broadcasting sector to work out a policy for ensuring these responsibilities are met.

Department of Treasury and Finance (Treasury)


Introduction of online Smart Forms for the State Revenue Office.

Promotion of disability awareness among agency staff.

Workplace adjustments and modifications for the benefit of employees with disability.

Commitment to the employment of people with disability in the Department, including the hiring of a person with significant physical disability.


User testing of online Smart Forms to ensure people using assistive technology can easily access and complete them.

Development of guidelines to ensure that when State Government agencies purchase goods and services from external sources through the procurement process, accessibility for people with disability to those goods and services is always considered. This will help drive improvements in accessibility to services, employment, facilities, and information across government and the private sector.

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Updating of Treasurer’s Instruction No 1127 (relating to procuring from businesses that provide employment to persons with disabilities) to include the potential for preferred contracts with businesses that are actively involved in improving access and employment opportunities for people with disability.

Part 4: Outcome areas Under the most significant change reporting technique, there is a focus on outcomes for people with disability. This recognises that while agencies may undertake activities and initiatives that support implementation outputs (such as the adoption of a particular policy or the implementation of a service model); the main objective of the DFA is to improve outcomes in the lives of people with disability. The evidence of the change is not just that the policy was adopted or the service model was implemented, but that it resulted in positive change, such as an increase in participation for people with disability or improved results for people with disability against particular indicators (eg employment in the State Service, educational attainment, or health outcomes).

Demonstrating evidence of change requires reflection of quantitative data where this is available and direct engagement with people with disability through qualitative program/service evaluation. Unfortunately, many agencies do not currently have any mechanism to collect quantitative or qualitative data relating to service users with disability. As a result, agencies have largely reported in terms of outputs rather than outcomes and some comments on these results are provided below. Outcome area: High-Quality Services/Responses/Supports

Some notable initiatives in this area have been reported by several agencies.

PDAC commends DEDTA, DoE, Justice, DPEM, and DPIPWE for the initiatives highlighted below.

DEDTA – Open Captions for Performing Arts Initiative

Arts Tasmania, through its Arts and Disability Program, funded an initiative in 2012-2013 that enabled theatre performances to be captioned live via internet technology. The aim of the initiative was to research ways of improving access to the performing arts for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The initiative also provided impetus for venues and arts organisations to consider ways in which they could make their services more accessible to members of the Deaf community, thereby increasing their audience potential. In an interesting note, feedback from patrons attending theatres in which captioning was available suggests that as well as making such events accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the provision of captions enhances the overall experience of theatre performances for people without hearing impairments.

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The provision of current assistive technologies supports students with disability in both special and mainstream schools to access and engage in the broader curriculum, especially literacy learning. Alternative and augmentative communication devices also allow students with disability to become more engaged in the classroom environment and with their peers.

Justice – Extension of the Hobart Magistrates Court Mental Health Diversion List

The extension of the Mental Health Diversion List to include people with cognitive disability or acquired brain injury (ABI) has been done in recognition of the fact that people with these impairments are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. The Hobart Magistrates Court has decided to change the way it deals with such people by providing separate lists or sittings for them with dedicated Magistrates and teams that focus on treatment and support. In this way, the needs of these people and the problems that lead them to Court may be addressed and resolved.

DPEM – Interviewing Vulnerable Witnesses course

This course has recently been added to DPEM’s Professional Development program, and focuses on investigation considerations and proper techniques for interviewing people with cognitive and intellectual disability.

DPIPWE – Programs at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (RTBG)

The RTBG have done excellent work, in partnership with disability service providers and the Australian Government, to develop and deliver training courses and education programs that allow people with disability to gain work skills, qualifications and experience in gardening and horticulture.Outcome area: Employment (recruitment, retention, career development)

The Fixed Term Employment Register and Graduate Program for People with Disability are both initiatives designed to increase the participation of people with disability in the Tasmanian State Service. The overall use of these initiatives since their inception has been minimal and only two agencies (DIER and DPAC) specifically reported making use of these programs last year. It should be noted that for much of this reporting period agencies were implementing vacancy control measures to assist in finding savings in a tight State Budget environment. In a period of vacancy control agencies are encouraged to fill vacancies with staff from within the State Service rather than seeking external applicants. Several agencies have nonetheless made efforts to employ people with disability, most notably DPEM and Treasury. It is also encouraging to see agencies such as DPIPWE and Treasury reporting that they are adjusting workplaces for the benefit of current employees with disability.

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PDAC notes the continuation of DoE’s Partnerships in Teaching Excellence (PiTE) scholarship initiative, but is very disappointed to hear that no applications for the scholarship were received this year and that the initiative is likely to be discontinued.

PDAC commends DIER, DPAC, DPEM, and Treasury for the following initiatives:

DIER – Employment of a graduate through the Graduate Program for People with Disability

The DIER Executive Group has enthusiastically committed to the Graduate Program (Disability), and the successful graduate has integrated well into the Department. Positive experiences like this will encourage the development of more supported employment options for people with disability in DIER and the rest of the Tasmanian State Service.

DPAC – Employment of graduates with disability, and continued improvement of the Graduate Program for People with Disability

DPAC continues to employ graduates through the Graduate Program (Disability) with the aim of breaking down perceived challenges about employing people with disability and demonstrating the contribution they can make to the workplace. DPAC is now working to integrate the Graduate Program (Disability) with the DPAC Graduate Program (Policy) to increase graduates’ access to induction programs, support networks, and training opportunities.

DPEM – Employment of a graduate through a Disability Employment Service Provider (DESP)

During 2012-2013 DPEM engaged with a DESP and examined employment opportunities for a person with disability. This led to DPEM hiring the person to a graduate position. The success of this venture has provided impetus for DPEM to consider future participation in the State Service Graduate Program (Disability).

Treasury – Employment of a person with significant physical disability

Treasury has provided the opportunity for a person with significant physical disability to undertake their first workplace engagement since injury. Considerable planning and coordination was undertaken to ensure that all necessary accessibility and support needs were met.Outcome area: Physical access to buildings, facilities, equipment, outdoor spaces

In May 2011, the Commonwealth Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) DAPB Standards 2010 came into operation. These standards have been 10 years in development and provide certainty in relation to what standard of building design and construction is required to ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth).

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The standards have been incorporated in the Building Code of Australia and apply to all new public buildings and renovations to existing buildings.

Australian Government stimulus funding combined with State Government funding has enabled significant improvements in the provision of accessible (and potentially accessible) social housing and accessible schools.

PDAC is encouraged to hear of the ongoing projects in many agencies that are improving physical access to government buildings and facilities. These include DoE’s work to provide better access to schools for students with disability; DIER’s ongoing funding to bus service operators for the purchase of accessible vehicles; Justice’s Prison Infrastructure Redevelopment Program and other building upgrades that include improvements to accessibility; and DPEM’s work towards making all police stations easy for people with disability to access.

PDAC particularly commends the following agencies for the following initiatives:

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DHHS – Construction and modification of accommodation for people with disabilityDHHS engaged a disability access consultant to provide a day long workshop for interested staff on disability access issues, relevant legislation and impacts on the DHHS asset portfolio. This workshop included accompanying the consultant on 9 disability access assessments of DHHS facilities. These assessments will be used to develop an electronic template for use by Agency staff when conducting the Building Condition Assessments later in 2013.

Housing Tasmania has plans to construct up to 16 new independent living units for young people with disability. A number of modifications have meanwhile been made to existing Housing Tasmania properties to make them accessible to tenants with disability, and all new residential developments constructed by Housing Tasmania are designed to include at least 10 per cent wheelchair accessible units.

DEDTA – Improving access to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)

The redevelopment of the TMAG city site provided a great opportunity to increase public access to the facility for people with disability. Elevators, accessible toilets, sliding doors, and tactile indicators on all changes of elevation were installed as part of the upgrade of the site. This has considerably improved accessibility to TMAG buildings, and allowed TMAG to expand its gallery space into areas such as the historic Bond Store, which previously had serious access limitations.

DPIPWE – Upgrades to government research laboratories

During 2012-2013, the Corporate Services Division of DPIPWE engaged a disability access consultant to review both the Mt Pleasant Laboratories in Launceston, and the New Town Research Laboratories in Hobart. Following the consultant’s recommendations, the New Town site has been fitted with accessible toilets, elevators, handrails, accessible car parking, and tactile ground surface indicators. Works to improve the Mt Pleasant site to a similar standard commenced in September 2013.Outcome area: Information and Communication

In 2008, the Worldwide Web consortium, the international standards organisation for the worldwide web, released version two of its Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0).

The Tasmanian Government Office for E-Government standard provides that Tasmanian government websites should comply with level A accessibility requirements of the WCAG 2.0. By the end of 2014, all State Government agencies are expected to have upgraded their websites to meet the WCAG 2.0 AA standards.

While agencies such as DHHS and Justice reported continued progress in ensuring government websites and publications comply with the WCAG

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2.0 standards, there are still websites that do not fully meet the requirements of the WCAG 2.0.

A number of agencies have done good work to improve access to government information.

PDAC commends DEDTA, DoE, DPAC, and Treasury for the following initiatives:

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DEDTA – Ongoing advocacy for disability awareness in communications throughout the Department

The Corporate Communications team at DEDTA drives a culture of continuing improvement. The needs of people with disability are considered in the production of any kind of information, be it a website, written document, audio, or video. DEDTA’s commitment to best practices in this area encourages all employees to make their publications accessible to the widest possible audience.

DoE – LINC Tasmania Information Services and Plain English Guide

LINC Tasmania has implemented a range of information access initiatives including audio books, large print books, an accessible online catalogue, and a range of assistive technologies to support LINC clients with a disability. LINC has also developed a Plain English Guide and conducted professional development workshops to raise awareness of the need and advantages of writing in plain English when communicating with both staff and clients.

DPAC – Delivery of Easy English training to State Service employees

In September 2013, The Training Consortium (TTC) conducted a training course in the use of Easy English. This helped to improve awareness among government staff of the importance of accessible information, and methods of presenting written material in a format that is easy to read and understandable for people with cognitive and intellectual disability, as well as people with low literacy levels or non-English speaking backgrounds.

Treasury – Introduction of electronic Smart Forms

The development of electronic Smart Forms for the State Revenue Office provides better access for people with disability, and makes the forms easier to complete.

Abbreviations

DPAC Department of Premier and CabinetDHHS Department of Health and Human ServicesJustice Department of JusticeDPEM Department of Police and Emergency ManagementTreasury Department of Treasury and Finance

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DIER Department of Infrastructure, Energy and ResourcesDPIPWE Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and

EnvironmentDEDTA Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the

ArtsDoE Department of EducationDFA Disability Framework for ActionPDAC Premier’s Disability Advisory Council

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Documents

Executive summary - dpac.tas.gov.au Web viewDepartment of Economic Development, Tourism and ... of DoE’s function and ... separate lists or sittings for them with dedicated Magistrates