Disability Access Plan

NEAMI created a beautiful mosaic for the Lalor Library last year and are now working on another project for Watsonia library.

The Library Service recently commissioned Access Audits Australia (AAA) to undertake the development of a Disability Action Plan for the organisation and the Library Board adopted the Plan at its last meeting. The DAP responds to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and provide a framework for ensuring equitable access to library buildings, services, communication systems and employment for all library users and staff. Community Consultative forums have been facilitated, one in each municipality. AAA conducted a staff forum to raise awareness of access issues and responsibilities and to identify issues to be addressed in the Action Plan. The Plan is available on the library's website.

The Action Plan focuses on achievable outcomes for the library service and concentrates on access outcomes rather than disability issues. It provides a framework for moving forward in addressing access issues relevant to each area of the library.

The DAP provides the framework for the Library to address disability access issues across all areas of library responsibility and operations and to support it in meeting its requirements under the DDA. The DAP will assist YPRL in removing access barriers and providing equity of access to services, facilities and employment for all people, and is designed to ensure that the Library’s practices are proactive in relation to meeting the needs of people with disabilities, their carers and associates, and that services and facilities will be accessible to all.

The DAP document:

• Identifies access barriers to YPRL
• Outlines actions to remove barriers
• Includes priorities for actions
• Identifies who has responsibility for ensuring actions are completed
• Outlines how monitoring, reviewing and evaluating of the DAP will occur

If you have any access issues we would like to hear from you, either commenting on the blog or emailing ceo@yprl.vic.gov.au