Our Interim Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) builds on our previous DIAPs to support the implementation of a wide range of Department initiatives, including the Disability Strategy, Inclusive education for students with disability policy and the Workforce diversity and inclusion standards.

This plan articulates a consistent, achievable approach to improving outcomes for people with a disability as an important part of our everyday work.

Our intent

A DIAP must become integrated into organisational culture and practice so positive outcomes can live beyond the Plan’s four-year timespan. To achieve this, we commit to embedding the principles of inclusive design in our thinking and actions. We will listen to, learn from and codesign with our stakeholders to:

• be constantly aware of, proactive and responsive to disability matters.

• take deliberate steps to identify challenge areas and take action to address them through dedicated projects.

Our approach

The projects within our Interim DIAP are the expression of our intent and action. They also directly contribute to achieving the outcomes of the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan (NSW DIP). Each of the projects in our Interim DIAP were developed and are owned by distinct teams across the Department, allowing them to take accountability for their part in ensuring their core business becomes barrier-free.

Our areas of focus

All of our Interim DIAP projects contribute to the NSW DIP.

The 4 focus areas of the NSW DIP are linked to outcome areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, and are as follows:

• Developing positive community attitudes and upholding the rights of people with disability.

• Creating liveable and safer communities.

• Supporting access to meaningful employment and independence.

• Improving access to mainstream services through better systems and processes.

We have grouped our projects under different focus areas or headings to make it easier for people to discover the work being undertaken in our Department. The Interim DIAP sets out 30 actions across 12 initiatives, aligned to the 4 pillars, and designed to:

• foster positive community attitudes and empower people with disability.

• work to reduce barriers in education so that students, staff and community members with disability are supported to thrive.

• improve the experience of staff with disability through improved systemic support.

• improve how people interact with department systems.