Key terms
Access: Access refers to people's ability to participate in life at work. Access is a principle that is applied to goods, services and environments, such as learning, work, social, digital and built environments. It describes the degree to which a person with disability can participate in or access goods, services or the environment.
Carer: Referenced throughout this Plan, carer takes the Australian Government's Carer Recognition Act 2010 definition as people who provide personal care, support and assistance to another individual in need of support due to disability, medical condition, including terminal or chronic illness, mental illness or is frail and aged.
Disability: a chronic health condition and may impact individuals in different ways.as a result ofA person's functioning or disability is conceived as a dynamic interaction between a person with a health condition(s) and environmental and personal factors (WHO 2001). A disability may be visible or hidden, may be permanent or temporary, can be genetic or acquired or
While every person's disability and their experience of disability is unique, disability in Australia is defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) defines disability as:
- total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions; or
- total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
- the presence in the body of organism causing disease or illness; or
- the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body; or
- disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
- a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment, or that results in disturbed behaviour;
- and includes disability that:
- presently exists; or
- previously existed but no longer exists; or
- may exist in the future; or
- is imputed to a person.
Inclusion: When people of diverse backgrounds (such as different abilities, ages, cultural backgrounds, genders) feel valued and respected, have access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute their perspectives and talents: dca.org.au/topics/inclusion.
Workplace adjustment: Previously referred to as a reasonable adjustment and now known as a workplace adjustment, is a change to a work process, practice, procedure or environment.
Universal design: Universal design is the process of creating products and built environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation. It aims to meet the broadest spectrum of abilities regardless of age, ability or life status. Universal design benefits everyone and promotes a more inclusive environment for individuals with disability.
Legislation
This Disability Access and Inclusion Action Plan has been developed to comply with the following legislation and guidelines:
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
- Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth)
- Privacy and Personal Information Act 1988 (Cth)
- Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998 (NSW)
- Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
- Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW)
- Disability Standards for Education 2005
- Disability (Access to Premises-buildings) (WCAG) 2.0