This guide provides ideas that are scalable to budget, local need and other considerations. Councils operate in different contexts and environments across Australia. This includes remote and very remote regions. They also have different responsibilities across states and territories. Not all approaches in the Guide will be appropriate or possible for all councils. Councils should adapt and prioritise the guidance and actions suggested based on their circumstances, capacities and resources.
The Guide
By the Australian Local Government Association
Practical guidance, tools and resources to help your council develop and implement disability inclusion plans.
Chapter
Disability in Australia
Key statistics and context about disability in Australia. ALGA acknowledges there are gaps in data about the experiences of and outcomes for people with disability in Australia. The following statistics are based on the best information currently available.
Text description of these statistics
- About 5.5 million Australians (21.4% of the population) have a disability.
- Almost 90% of disabilities are ‘invisible’, such as chronic pain disorders, diabetes or depression.
- 1 in 10 people with disability reported experiencing discrimination.
- 52.3% of people aged 65 and over had disability.
- 56.1% of people with disability were employed, compared with 82.3% of people without disability.
- Almost one-third of people with disability avoided situations because of their disability.
Note about this data
In the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), a person is considered to have disability if they have any limitations, restrictions or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted, or is likely to last, for six months or more.
Statistics are from Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022), Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings.
ALGA acknowledges there are gaps in data about the experiences of and outcomes for people with disability in Australia. The following statistics are based on the best information currently available.
Definition of disability
To use the Guide, it may be helpful to consider the definition of disability. The term disability is broad. It can be used to describe people who have physical, sensory, cognitive, neurological and/or psychosocial conditions or impairments. It can also include people who are neurodivergent, who have mental health concerns and/or who have chronic illness. Disabilities can be visible and invisible and can include fluctuating conditions.
The definition of disability from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is:
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers [environment, economic] may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (Article 1, UN CRPD)
Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act includes a definition of disability. This definition is being reviewed and will be applied to this Guide once any definitions within the Disability Discrimination Act are updated.
Policy and legislative contexts
Text description of this diagram
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) sits above two streams — a legislative context and a strategic and policy context. Together with state and local government action, these work towards inclusive communities for all people with disability.
- Legislative context
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (under review)
-
Disability Standards made under the Act:
- Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010
- Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
- Disability Standards for Education 2005
- Strategic and policy context
- Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- National Autism Strategy 2025–2031
- State legislation, plans and strategies, which lead to local government disability action plans.
Disability inclusion planning in Australia
Different terms are used to describe disability action plans in local government, depending on which state or territory councils are located in. This includes Disability Action Plan (DAP), Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP), Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), or similar.
In this Guide, when we describe these plans by local government, we will use the term Disability Action Plan (DAP).
You can refer to our list of
Chapter
Principles to guide disability inclusion planning
Principles help to guide inclusion planning, and to embed inclusion in everyday work.
This section helps councils establish a shared understanding of disability inclusion across council teams.
The principles were developed through a desktop review of disability inclusion policy in the context of local government, and informed by stakeholder engagement.
Embedding these principles across council work demonstrates a commitment to the rights and inclusion of people with disability in every community. These principles support informed decisions, policies and actions that uphold human rights and promote belonging.
We all have rights as human beings, regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. In Australia, we have laws to uphold the rights of people with disability.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international human rights convention. Australia is a signatory to this Convention. It promotes, protects and ensures full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, promotes respect for their inherent dignity (refer Article 1 - CRPD).
This Guide includes references to specific articles from the Convention for some of your council’s core areas of practice.
Disability Discrimination Act
In Australia, disability rights are upheld by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This Act must be followed by duty holders, which includes local governments. It applies to services, facilities, premises and other activities local governments are responsible for.
Every state and territory also has legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.
Australia’s Disability Strategy
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 calls on all Australians to ensure people with disability can participate as equal members of society. The Strategy reflects a collective commitment by all levels of government – Commonwealth, state, territory and local – to build an Australia where people with disability are valued, included and empowered to thrive.
State and territory disability inclusion planning and laws
All states and territories in Australia have acts which require that government agencies including in most cases, local government, provide for the inclusion of people with disability.
Many states also have their own Disability Inclusion Plans or similar. You can find out more in the State and Territory requirements page.
Why a disability rights approach matters
Disability has been explained through many models over time. Historically, society often focused on the impairments of people with disability – sometimes called ‘the medical model of disability’ - rather than acknowledging barriers in social systems, services, infrastructure, attitudes and environments that disable people.
There have been big shifts in the way disability inclusion is understood. Applying a human rights and disability rights approach is one major development in the way we design inclusive communities.
The social and human rights models of disability
Current good practice centres on the social and human rights models of disability. These models help us understand disability as a matter of fairness and equity, rather than treating it as a personal limitation.
-
The social model of disability says that people with disability experience limitations because social systems, environments and attitudes are inaccessible and exclude them. It makes it harder for people to take part in everyday life. This moves away from the medical model of disability which sees disability as an individual deficit and contributes to ableist attitudes and behaviours.
-
The human rights model of disability advances the social model further and underpins the UN CRPD. This model considers all aspects of a person’s experience, both internal and external. It emphasises that people with disability have the same rights as everyone else, and their disability is not an excuse to deny or restrict their rights. It places obligations on society – including governments – to remove barriers and uphold dignity, autonomy and inclusion.
What councils can do
Having a rights-based approach to disability inclusion supports councils to build environments and systems that are inclusive, fair, welcoming and accessible from the outset.
These models offer a strong foundation for thinking about rights and inclusion. For councils, they can encourage you to look at where there might still be barriers for people with disability in your community. For example, this could be in:
- policies
- service design
- public spaces
- communication
- managing employment, recruitment and career progression.
Using these models helps councils ask:
‘What might make this difficult for someone to access or take part in?’
‘What can we change to improve opportunities and participation for people with disability?’
Useful resources
Guide
Models of Disability An overview of the different models used to understand disability, including social, human rights and medical models. It explains how each model shapes policy, practice and attitudes. People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
(opens in new window) Standards Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities An international human rights treaty ensuring equal rights and freedoms for people with disability. It outlines government responsibilities to promote inclusion, dignity and participation. United Nations
(opens in new window) Guide Rights of people with disability - Public sector guidance sheet Provides guidance for public sector agencies on respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of people with disability in policy development and decision-making. Attorney-General’s Department
(opens in new window) Training Disability rights training Provides an overview of disability rights and responsibilities and training resources to support inclusive, accessible and rights-based practice, particularly in workplaces and organisations. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Resource History of Australia's Disability Movement Summary of the history of the disability in Australia from 1908 to 2008. People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
(opens in new window) Research Disability in Australia: Shadows, struggles and successes - A usable socio-cultural history of disability in Australia Research Report of the Disability Royal Commission on the history of disability in Australia. Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
(opens in new window) Guide How We Talk About Disability Matters! Understanding models of disability Explains the models of disability Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
(opens in new window) Guide DARU – Introducing the Human Rights Model of Disability Resource introducing the human rights model of disability. Listed in the 'Find out more' resources for Principle 1. Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
(opens in new window) The motto ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ reflects the principle of participation. It has been used by Disabled Peoples Organisations throughout the years as part of the global movement to achieve the full participation and equalisation of opportunities for, by and with persons with disabilities.
Centring people with disability means recognising their expertise and leadership in decisions that affect them. They help drive change through planning, design and decision-making. Full participation of people with disability places lived experience at the heart of disability inclusion. It shifts inclusion from something done for people with disability to something designed with people with disability. This includes having lived experience in council decision-making roles.
What councils can do
Councils can create safe and supportive ways for people with disability to participate in decision-making.
-
Employing people with disability. Employment within councils is a practical way to make sure people with disability are at the centre of decision-making. This includes employing people with disability in leadership positions.
-
Representation of diverse people with disability. Establish advisory groups or other ways to get direct and ongoing input from people with disability in policies, planning and service design.
-
in planning and design. Councils with planning responsibilities are required to consider impacts on people with disability. This includes consulting with the community in areas such as infrastructure and service design. When doing this, it’s important to have accessible ways for people with disability to take part. -
Recognise the expertise of people with disability. Respecting and recognising lived experience often include payment for time and expertise, in the same way other specialist contributions are valued. This should also be recognised with acknowledgements on council websites, in newsletters and other outward-facing communications.
-
Partner with local organisations. Disability advocates in your community are important stakeholders and often have the networks and experience to help councils engage with people with disability. Councils could consider partnerships with disability organisations and peer groups to collaborate on engagement.
Useful resources
Guide
Good Practice Guidelines for Engaging with People with Disability A national guide offering principles and practical steps for inclusive engagement. Focuses on accessibility, respect and meaningful participation. Australian government - Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Guide Communications to co-design: Valuing different types of engagement A guide highlighting inclusive communication and co-design approaches. It explains how to meaningfully involve people with diverse communication needs. people with disability are centred Inclusion Australia
(opens in new window) Guide QDN's Co-Design Principles Principles developed by Queenslanders with Disability Network to support genuine co-design. Emphasises shared power, lived experience leadership and accessibility. Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
(opens in new window) What is intersectionality?
Intersectionality recognises that a person or group of people have different experiences. They can be affected by multiple forms of marginalisation, discrimination and disadvantage due to different parts of their identity, such as:
- race
- sex
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
- disability
- class
- religion
- culture and linguistic diversity
- age.
Intersections can occur between multiple parts of a person’s identity. There can also be intersections within a person’s experiences of disability, as it is common for people to have multiple disabilities.
These overlapping identities can influence how people move through their community, how they are perceived and the opportunities available to them, in ways that are different from experiencing identities separately.
What councils can do
- Think about how you can help to remove additional barriers for people with disability who are from marginalised or intersectional groups.
- One way to do this is making sure your disability action plan supports and aligns with other council plans for the inclusion of diverse groups in your community — for example, Reconciliation Action Plans or action plans for multicultural communities, LGBTIQA+ communities, young people and older people.
- Reflect the diversity of people with disability in the community in your communications, planning, engagement and service design.
- Have diverse representation on advisory groups and in activities that inform the policies and work of councils.
Aligning with Closing the Gap
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a higher prevalence of disability compared with non-Indigenous Australians. First Nations people with disability may also face a range of barriers accessing culturally safe and inclusive services across many systems. Recognising this helps councils plan services to address overlapping needs and barriers.
‘Disability’ is also not recognised by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, so programs in communities need to consider access for the whole community. This acknowledges ‘disability inclusion’ may not be a familiar term.
Councils should align their disability inclusion and action planning with Closing the Gap commitments. The Closing the Gap National Agreement includes a disability cross-cutting outcome that recognises the need to tailor actions for First Nations people with disability. Councils can support this by partnering with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and tailoring programs, spaces and engagement to reflect local culture, languages and community priorities.
Useful resources
Toolkit
Intersectionality Resources and Community Practice Tools A collection of tools, guides and training materials on applying intersectionality in community work. It helps organisations understand overlapping forms of discrimination and build inclusive practice. Intertwine
(opens in new window) Framework Closing the Gap A national framework aimed at improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It outlines priority areas, targets and progress reporting. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Resource Intersectionality is essential to meaningful inclusion. Here's how to do it right Blog article outline what intersectionality is and how to support intersectional inclusion in workplaces. Diversity Council Australia
(opens in new window) Resource What is intersectionality? Overview explaining intersectionality, especially in relation to gender. UN Women Australia
(opens in new window) Resource Designing Cities for All: Why Women with Disabilities Must Be at the Table Article about participation of women with disability in city design, based on initiatives in Indonesia. The Kota Kita Initiative
(opens in new window) Resource Youth Disability Advocacy Service Website for YDAS, an advocacy organisation that works with disabled young people (aged 12-25) in Victoria Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
(opens in new window) Resource Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021 – 2031" Page 47 ultines Intersectionality and diversity. The Australian Government Department of Social Services
(opens in new window) Resource Youth Disability Advocacy Network Website for YDAN, the leading advocacy organisation and peak representative body for young people with disabilities in Western Australia. Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN)
(opens in new window) Content note: This section contains words and information about trauma, discrimination and abuse.
Many people with disability have experienced discrimination, exclusion, neglect, exploitation, violence and/or abuse. This can cause ongoing trauma.
Trauma-informed practice in councils is very important to protect people with disability from further harm, particularly in areas such as emergency management, community engagement and customer service.
Findings of the Disability Royal Commission
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability recommended how governments and institutions can improve safety and respond to the trauma and exclusion people with disability have experienced over many years. Their final report and guide are useful resources for councils to refer to when considering the impacts of, and possible changes to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability in our communities.
What councils can do
Being trauma-informed means paying attention to emotional, cultural and psychological safety.
- Think about how your council interacts with community members. Trauma-informed practice should encourage staff to communicate clearly, offer choice, explain processes and check in respectfully throughout interactions.
- Provide clear, safe options for raising issues. Be clear about how a person with disability or their supporters can raise issues or complaints when they feel their rights are not upheld or have problems accessing things in the community. Complicated or unclear reporting processes can re-traumatise people or prolong their concern.
- Promote local advocacy and support services. Councils can help people become aware of local supports and advocacy services available to them in the community.
- Practice trauma-informed engagement. This means:
- using the principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment and respect for diversity
- reducing barriers to participation linked to fear or trauma. For example, having lived experience facilitators and different ways for people to participate (e.g. use of chat or anonymous feedback).
- following a trauma-informed events checklist
- Support staff through trauma-informed practice. Council employees with disability may have experiences of trauma, abuse, neglect and discrimination. Human resources and workplace policies should recognise this to make sure local government is a safe workplace for all. This may include:
- clear reporting pathways prioritising safety, privacy and access to support, including options for anonymous reporting
- training managers and teams in trauma-informed communication, recognising signs of distress and preventing re-traumatisation
- ensuring staff involved in community-facing work have access to debriefing and supervision, acknowledging the risks of vicarious trauma.
Useful resources
Directory
Disability Advocacy Finder An online tool that helps people with disability, carers and families locate independent disability advocacy providers and services in their area. Ask Izzy
(opens in new window) Guide Blue Knot resources for trauma-informed practice Provides evidence-based resources and guidance to support trauma-informed, safe and inclusive practice across services and organisations. Blue Knot Foundation
(opens in new window) Toolkit Trauma-informed practice organisational toolkit Provides a staged toolkit to support organisations to embed trauma-informed approaches in planning, policy and service delivery. Mental Health Coordinating Council
(opens in new window) Template Trauma-informed Events Checklist and Policy and Protocol Provides a practical checklist and guidance to help organisations plan and deliver events using trauma-informed principles. Mental Health Coordinating Council
(opens in new window) Disability inclusive language recognises people with disability as experts in their own lives and values the terms they choose for themselves. It avoids deficit-based language that focuses on what a person ‘can’t do’, outdated or clinical labels and euphemisms. Inclusive language also acknowledges the diversity of disability without grouping different experiences together. It keeps the focus on rights, dignity and participation, rather than diagnosis or limitation.
What is person-first and identity-first language?
Person-first (‘person with disability’) and identity-first (‘disabled person’) language are both used in Australia. Government, non-government and institutional language in Australia predominantly use person-first terms. Many people have strong preferences for one term or the other, and these preferences can differ across communities and contexts. A respectful approach is to follow the lead of the person or group you are speaking with - and it’s always okay to ask.
The Australian Government Style Manual has an overview of person-first and identity-first language.
Looking for more language guidance?
The PWDA Language Guide provides clear and contemporary advice on respectful wording and inclusive language choices.
What councils can do
To use respectful and inclusive language, aim to do the following:
- Listen to people with disability and follow their lead. Make sure people with disability help to inform the language your council uses.
- Use clear and contemporary wording to help people feel represented and welcomed.
- Use inclusive language consistently across your communications. This helps people with disability feel more comfortable taking part, such as in events.
- Provide disability awareness training to council staff and elected officials to help them understand the importance of inclusive language and create confidence in their communication with people with disability.
- Stay open to conversations about different preferences and changes to language.
- Share advice about language with others in local government, stakeholders or partners.
Useful resources
Guide
PWDA Language Guide Provides clear and contemporary guidance on respectful and inclusive language when referring to people with disability, supporting person-centred communication. People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
(opens in new window) Toolkit Inclusive Language and Communication Toolkit Provides practical guidance on using inclusive language and accessible communication when working with people with disability, including examples and alternatives. Queensland Government
(opens in new window) Guide Style Manual - Disability and Neurodiversity Provides guidance for Australian Government content on respectful, inclusive and accurate language relating to disability and neurodiversity Australian Government
(opens in new window) Universal design is an approach to planning, building and communicating that aims to make things usable for as many people as possible, from the outset. It removes barriers before they appear by considering a wide range of accessibility needs. For councils, universal design is both good practice and good governance. It can improve safety, usability and inclusion for the whole community. Universal design principles are also part of the minimum requirements in some Standards and Codes councils use, such as building codes.
Universal design should also be guided and supported by ‘disability specific design’ to meet the diverse and specific needs of people with disability. This means having adjustments to ensure people with disability can participate on an equal basis - for example, specific access requirements like Changing Places facilities, Auslan interpreting and screen reader compatible systems. When universal design and disability specific design approaches are considered together, it supports equity, dignity and genuine participation for people with disability across diverse contexts.
Find a summary of
You can find more guidance on these under Accessible Infrastructure and Services.
Designing for the whole community
While universal design benefits people with disability, the impact extends to many others.
For example, installing kerb ramps at road crossings makes it easier for wheelchair users and people using mobility aids, which can include older people and people with temporary injuries. It also improves safety and convenience for people with prams, wheeled suitcases and trolleys, and for cyclists or delivery people when they transition between roads and paths at crossings.
Communicating in plain language and using images can help people with intellectual disability or cognitive issues understand information, but it’s also important for people with limited English or low literacy. Providing a variety of contact methods gives everyone the ability to choose how they want to communicate with council.
When councils apply inclusive design to buildings and facilities, there are many social and economic benefits for the whole community. For example, it can:
- reduce long‑term maintenance and retrofit costs by ensuring that community needs are anticipated from the start
- increase local economic activity through boosting visitor and tourist numbers, and strengthen the vibrancy of local main streets and town centres
- support social connection for families and build children’s confidence through having more accessible, family-friendly and inclusive play spaces and recreation facilities.
What councils can do
Universal design principles encourage – and in some cases, require – councils to look at barriers across physical, digital, sensory and social environments. It supports council teams to ask in the early stages of planning:
‘Who might find this difficult to use?’
‘What have we done to make sure people with diverse needs can access and use this space or service?’
‘What else could we do to make this easier, safer and more comfortable for everyone?’
Councils can also:
- embed steps to consider the
in planning and development across council areas, such as infrastructure, technology, communication and engagement - build in early and ongoing engagement with people with disability to make it easier to identify barriers, test ideas and create solutions
- ensure compliance with universal design principles when they are in legislation and standards.
Find out more about applying universal design principles and disability specific design in the Planning section.
Useful resources
Guide
Everything you need to know about universal design Provides information and resources promoting universal design across built and digital environments. Supports inclusive design principles that benefit people of all abilities. Centre for Universal Design Australia
(opens in new window) Resource 8 Goals of Universal Design The 8 Goals help practitioners apply universal design and measure outcomes. They cover functional, social and emotional dimensions. Centre for Universal Design Australia
(opens in new window) Resource Universal Design includes DeafSpace Design Article about Universal Design supporting accessibility for Deaf people. Centre for Universal Design Australia
(opens in new window) Guide Opportunity in neurodiverse design Article explaining and giving a link to the resource "Design for the Mind - Neurodiversity and the built environment - Guide". Centre for Universal Design Australia
(opens in new window) Guide Centre for Excellence in Universal Design – The 7 Principles Source of the 7 Principles of Universal Design. The guide's explanation of universal design principles is adapted from this resource. Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
(opens in new window) 
Inclusive Brisbane Plan - Intersectional Approach
Brisbane City Council's Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 demonstrates an intersectional approach to disability inclusion, recognising that people have different experiences based on multiple parts of their identity.
Case Study
Community input into council planning is critical to make sure decisions reflect local needs, values, and lived experience.
Brisbane City Council’s A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 covers the council’s policies and actions toward inclusion in areas such as travel, work, community spaces, health and wellbeing, tourism, governance and community connection. The plan incorporates inclusion across community groups, identities and needs, as part of an overarching vision of Brisbane as ‘a city where everyone feels they belong’.
Development of the plan involved community consultation with ‘residents of diverse age, cultural background, ability, gender, various socio-economic backgrounds and those with different levels of wellbeing’. Community feedback directly led to an expansion of the plan to ensure that services and programs were not limited to specific groups but supported inclusion for all. By providing an integrated Plan, this approach allows room for intersectional needs and experiences and does not require community members to segregate their identities when seeking information, support and services.
Related Resources
35 useful resources Guide
Models of Disability An overview of the different models used to understand disability, including social, human rights and medical models. It explains how each model shapes policy, practice and attitudes. People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
(opens in new window) Standards Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities An international human rights treaty ensuring equal rights and freedoms for people with disability. It outlines government responsibilities to promote inclusion, dignity and participation. United Nations
(opens in new window) Guide Rights of people with disability - Public sector guidance sheet Provides guidance for public sector agencies on respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of people with disability in policy development and decision-making. Attorney-General’s Department
(opens in new window) Chapter
Inclusion in council work
This section includes 5 key focus areas for disability inclusion in council work. They reflect areas which councils often have responsibility for. They align closely with Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031.
In this chapter — five focus areas
Leadership and decision-making
ExploreThis area is about how councils include people with disability in community consultation and events and make sure local government information is accessible to all people with disability who live in and visit the region.
Community Attitudes Personal & Community Support Employment & Financial Security
Inclusive employment and procurement
ExploreThis area is about how councils can make sure their employment and procurement practices promote the economic participation of people with disability
Employment & Financial Security Community Attitudes Education & Learning
Engagement and communications
ExploreThis area is about how councils include people with disability in community consultation and events and make sure local government information is accessible to all people with disability who live in and visit the region.
Community Attitudes Personal & Community Support Inclusive Homes & Communities Safety, Rights & Justice
Accessible infrastructure and services
ExploreThis area is about how councils plan, design, build and maintain public spaces and facilities. It also talks about how to make sure council services are more inclusive for all.
Inclusive Homes & Communities Health & Wellbeing Safety, Rights & Justice
Community safety and emergency management
ExploreThis area is about how councils can help make sure community safety, including during emergencies and natural disasters, considers the specific needs of people with disability in the community.
Safety, Rights & Justice Inclusive Homes & Communities Health & Wellbeing
Aligned with Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031
Leadership and decision-making
This area is about how councils include people with disability in community consultation and events and make sure local government information is accessible to all people with disability who live in and visit the region.
Councils play a vital role in making sure disability inclusion happens in their local communities. This is only possible through:
- strong leadership that ensures disability action plans are implemented effectively, and include involvement of people with disability
- strong governance that supports councils to navigate complex planning, infrastructure and service decisions and acknowledge that decisions in one area can affect accessibility across the whole community
- partnerships that strengthen community leadership in decision-making, including establishing disability advisory committees.
Practical approaches
Leadership is a strong lever that influences how disability inclusion is understood, valued and practised across council. Disability champions can also help embed inclusion into everyday processes and influence peers to adopt inclusive practices.
What councils can do
Strong internal leadership could include:
- making inclusion visible in strategic plans, policies and day-to-day operations
- mayors, councillors and executives modelling inclusive behaviours in their own work
- embedding accessibility expectations across all directorates, including planning, engineering, infrastructure, customer experience and community services
- reinforcing that inclusion is ‘everyone’s business’ by sharing responsibility across teams.
Councils can support leadership champions by:
- identifying staff who naturally lead, model or advocate for inclusive practice, including people with disability in council
- providing training, peer support and time allocation to support staff leaders in influencing change
- sharing and celebrating practical examples of inclusive work to build organisational momentum
- offering leadership opportunities and development for staff with disability.
Leading disability inclusion in local government
To champion inclusion in local government, you can follow these practical, everyday actions:
- Link inclusion to council priorities and use evidence – such as community feedback or accessibility audits – to demonstrate how inclusion can improve outcomes for councils.
- Build alliances by working with leaders and other staff across departments – inclusion initiatives succeed when they are shared, not siloed.
- Centre planning and design on lived experience by involving people with disability.
- Implement smaller changes to start, such as accessible formats, flexible recruitment, or inclusive events – small changes make a big difference over the long run.
- Promote the use of inclusive language.
- Communicate clearly, positively and regularly, by sharing success stories, celebrating inclusive projects, and maintaining visibility of disability inclusion in reports and meetings to help shift organisational culture.
Useful resources
Toolkit
LEAD Toolkit A leadership toolkit supporting women and gender-diverse people with disability to build confidence, skills and knowledge. Women With Disabilities Australia
(opens in new window) Training Lived Experience Training Programs Structured training and leadership development programs for people with lived experience of disability and systems. Lived Experience Training
(opens in new window) When people with disability are involved in leadership positions and decision-making it helps ensure:
- planning, design, policy and service outcomes reflect the realities of people most affected
- alignment with the UN CRPD’s requirement for people with disability to participate in decisions that affect their lives
- accountable, transparent and rights-based governance.
This is one of the key principles for disability inclusion in local government.
What councils can do
- Create paid roles for people with disability in project teams, access and inclusion work or specialist advisory roles. Roles may be ongoing or short-term.
- Offer positions to people with disability on boards, reference groups, advisory groups, design panels or precinct planning committees.
- Support early inclusion of disability representatives and leaders in key decisions, reviews and consultations.
- Make sure adjustments are in place so people with disability can fully participate in leadership, advisory and other roles.
- Build pathways for lived experience leadership through employment, volunteering, mentoring or community advisory programs.
Useful resources
Directory
Lived Experience Leadership Hub A resource hub focused on recognising, strengthening and supporting leadership based on lived experience. Lived Experience Leadership
(opens in new window) Resource Lived Experience Paid Participation Policy Detailed outline of the Black Dog Institute's policy and approach to lived experience paid participation. Black Dog Institute
(opens in new window) Governance provides the structures and processes that make disability inclusion consistent, coordinated and sustainable across council operations. Strong governance helps councils meet their responsibilities under the UN CRPD and Australia’s Disability Strategy. It turns commitments into practical, organisation-wide action. It also ensures DAPs remain active and accountable, even as staff or leadership change.
What councils can do
- Establish clear roles for disability inclusion delivery and monitoring across directorates.
- Set up a governance group across your council functions involving planning, engineering, community services, HR, communications and customer experience.
- Integrate accessibility expectations into policy development, procurement, budgeting, work programs and project lifecycles.
- Report regularly to executive leadership and elected members to maintain oversight and accountability.
Governance built on co-design and feedback loops allows councils to respond to emerging needs, new policy directions and lessons learned over time. The Planning for disability inclusion section includes more information about governance and leadership when developing and implementing your disability action plan.
Supported Decision-Making Directory
Inclusion Australia’s Supported Decision-Making Resource Directory provides practical tools, guidance and examples to help councils support people with intellectual disability participate in advisory groups, committees and co-design processes.
https://www.inclusionaustralia.org.au/resource/supported-decision-making-resource-directory/
Useful resources
Directory
Supported Decision-Making Resource Directory A directory of tools, guidance and examples to support people with disability to participate in decision-making, advisory groups and co-design processes. Inclusion Australia
(opens in new window) Guide Communications to Co-Design: Valuing Different Types of Engagement Guidance on inclusive communication approaches that support meaningful co-design with people with disability and diverse communication needs. Inclusion Australia
(opens in new window) Toolkit A Toolkit to Authentically Embed Lived Experience Governance This toolkit provides users with a selection of tools and resources to assist in exploring and assessing their own governance processes and formulate a pathway towards embedding lived experience governance across their systems, structures, policies, processes, practices, programs and services. National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum
(opens in new window) Toolkit Toolkit for Boards: Disability Readiness A toolkit to help boards include and support directors with lived experience of disability. National Disability Services (NDS)
(opens in new window) Resource Royal Commission Final report - Volume 5, Governing for inclusion This is part of the Disability Royal Commission Final Report, focusing on how governments can improve national disability policies, strategies, and leadership to create a more inclusive society. It outlines recommendations to strengthen coordination, accountability, and governance so people with disability can fully enjoy their rights and access better outcomes. Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
(opens in new window) Disability advisory committees can provide invaluable insight to councils in a range of areas by giving active and ongoing feedback from a lived experience perspective. This empowers people with disability to be involved in decision-making and gives them a voice to inform council decisions.
Disability advisory committees require resourcing. Where a council’s capacity or resourcing is limited, they may want to use other forms of engagement to help inform council decisions.
What councils can do
- Invest in establishing a disability advisory committee to support disability inclusion across council business.
- When establishing a committee, develop clear terms of reference. It’s important to think about who should be represented, how meetings will run, how advice and feedback will feed into decision-making and what support members may need to participate fully.
- Provide adjustments to support people with disability to be able to participate in the committee and all types of meetings.
- Where appropriate, pay disability advisory committee members for their time.
- Share information with the wider community about the role and membership of the committee.
Considerations for councils when establishing a disability advisory committee
Consider size and meeting frequency
- Committee size can vary depending on the council, but many work well with around 8-16 members.
- Meetings are often held bi-monthly or quarterly, with flexibility to seek advice outside formal meetings when needed.
- Meeting times should be accessible and consider support needs, caring responsibilities, transport and other commitments.
Membership and representation
- People with disability should make up the majority of members, including community members and council staff with disability. Inclusion champions across councils’ areas could also be members or observers on the committee.
- In most cases, the Chairperson should be a person with disability.
- Members should reflect a diverse range of disabilities and lived experience. For example, representation of physical, sensory, cognitive and invisible disabilities should be included. It’s also important to have diversity of other demographics (age, culture, where they live in your community).
- Recruitment to the committee should be open, accessible and transparent. This means advertising the opportunity in a range of ways (online and in the media) and making sure promotions use
.
Terms of reference (ToR), role and decision-making influence
- A clear ToR help set the committee’s purpose, scope and influence within council.
- The role of the committee should be clearly defined and at a minimum should include:
- providing leadership and advice on the development of DAPs
- guiding how councils consult and engage with people with disability
- offering advice across council planning and capital work projects – from early scoping and design through to delivery, launch and evaluation.
- The ToR should also include membership arrangements, meeting processes and how progress will be reviewed or monitored.
Support, access and recognition
- Clearly outline any payment and reimbursement for participation time, travel or access-related costs.
- Provide accessible meeting formats and materials, including accessible venues, hybrid options, captioning or interpreters. Make sure you ask about any adjustments needed.
- Offer clear information and promote the committee’s role through council channels.
One of the outcome areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) is Community Attitudes. This includes improving the public’s understanding of disability and attitudes towards people with disability.
Councils play a critical role in this as they can influence attitudes through leadership and community programs. Councils also have responsibilities for community cohesion and inclusion in their region and local neighbourhoods.
Improving community understanding and attitudes can also help to improve safety for people with disability in the community.
What councils can do
- Promote disability inclusion widely throughout the community. This includes sharing and promoting your disability action plan.
- Share information with the community about accessible infrastructure and why it’s important for improving access and inclusion for all.
- Recognise and celebrate achievements of people with disability and disability organisations in the community.
- Include people with disability in council imagery, stories and promotions as part of everyday community life.
- Share inclusive initiatives and a range of community stories that reflect diverse experiences and contributions.
- Promote local disability peer groups and networks to the community.
- Develop or support tailored programs to improve community attitudes for different disability types, including invisible disabilities such as autism and ADHD. Design these initiatives in consultation with local disability organisations, peer groups and individuals with lived experience.
- Lead or participate in training for professionals, including council staff, to develop disability awareness and understanding. This includes making sure local services and council staff know how to respond appropriately if they witness or receive disclosures of harm.
Partnerships strengthen capability and support councils to deliver practical, community-driven inclusion. They can be especially valuable for rural and regional councils with smaller teams or limited specialist roles. For example, partnerships may allow the sharing of resources, tools and training.
What councils can do
- Build long-term relationships with disability organisations and relevant community groups in your area.
- Support peer-led activities and disability-run groups. This might include partnering with disability advocacy organisations on inclusion initiatives.
- Collaborate on co-design, engagement or public space design initiatives with local organisations.
- Maintain regular contact with disability services to stay aware of community needs and emerging issues.
- Identify opportunities to co-fund accessible programs and infrastructure with community groups and local businesses.
Working with other councils and government agencies
Partnerships with other councils and government bodies can help coordinate regional or cross-boundary inclusion efforts and make sure councils respond to changing policy and service environments.
Councils might also partner with different levels of government to co-fund infrastructure, initiatives and programs that have shared outcomes for national, state/territory and local government.
These partnerships can also help foster the valuable exchange of insights. By sharing successful initiatives and lessons learned, councils can strengthen their own inclusion strategies.
A Disability Inclusion Community of Practice has been established with representatives of a selection of local councils to help share learnings and advice back to all local governments. Find out more on the ALGA website and access our case studies.
Reflection questions
Consider these questions for your council
- 1
How do our leaders show and support inclusion in their everyday work, and where is strong leadership already happening?
- 2
How are we recruiting and developing leaders with disability in our council?
- 3
Where are staff already championing inclusion, and how can we recognise, support or grow this?
- 4
Are our governance systems clear, coordinated and easy for staff to follow?
- 5
Do we give people with disability real opportunities to lead and shape our work?
- 6
Which partnerships are helping our inclusion work, and where might we need new ones?
Related Resources
13 useful resources Directory
Supported Decision-Making Resource Directory A directory of tools, guidance and examples to support people with disability to participate in decision-making, advisory groups and co-design processes. Inclusion Australia
(opens in new window) Guide Communications to Co-Design: Valuing Different Types of Engagement Guidance on inclusive communication approaches that support meaningful co-design with people with disability and diverse communication needs. Inclusion Australia
(opens in new window) Toolkit LEAD Toolkit A leadership toolkit supporting women and gender-diverse people with disability to build confidence, skills and knowledge. Women With Disabilities Australia
(opens in new window) Case Studies
City of Sydney: Strategic planning
To make sure community voices genuinely inform decisions, the City of Sydney supports a range of advisory panels and committees within a clear governance framework.
Case Study
When it comes to planning ahead for how to support, service and include people with disability in the community, who better to involve than people with disability.
The City of Sydney covers more than 26 square kilometres of central Sydney and surrounds, including iconic landmarks like the Opera House, established institutions like the University of Sydney, and bustling residential suburbs. With heritage buildings, narrow streets, public transport on road, rail and water, as well as a packed schedule of big public events, the City of Sydney has a lot of different requirements to achieve genuine access and inclusion across all areas and meet the ideals of its community.
To make sure community voices genuinely inform decisions, the City of Sydney supports a range of advisory panels and committees within a clear governance framework, guided by its Community Engagement Strategy and Community Participation Plan 2025–2029 and other Council-endorsed policies.
One such panel is the Inclusion (Disability) Advisory Panel, which played an advisory role in developing the Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan 2025–2029, alongside a broader engagement process.
The Action Plan was developed through a two-stage engagement process over just under a year. Stage 1 focused on early engagement and co-design, involving over 350 people, including people with disability, families and carers, disability organisations, the City’s Inclusive City disability employee network, and the Advisory Panel. Engagement methods included surveys, focus groups and a co-design roundtable.
Stage 2 involved public exhibition of the draft plan, including an Auslan video, with feedback invited through an online survey and written submissions. Sixteen formal submissions were received during public exhibition.
By having a dedicated strategy in place, with buy-in from the community it serves, the City of Sydney can be confident in meeting future needs and having a solid base to evaluate their progress. This approach provides a practical example of how councils can combine strong governance with lived-experience engagement to shape inclusive, place-based policy.
Learn more and read the Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan 2025–2029 on the City of Sydney website.
Inclusive employment and procurement
This area is about how councils can make sure their employment and procurement practices promote the economic participation of people with disability
Councils are often among the largest employers in the region. How councils recruit, support and promote people with disability sends a powerful message about the role and importance of inclusion.
Inclusive employment and procurement matters in local government because of:
- Representation – Councils reflect the communities they serve. Inclusive workplaces reflect local diversity, improve decision-making and contribute to innovation.
- Workforce sustainability – Inclusive employment widens the talent pool and can help councils address skills shortages and retention issues.
- Equitable employment – Equitable and fair employment is part of legislation. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) requires fair access to employment and reasonable adjustments. The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) protects employees with disability from adverse action and requires employers to provide safe and flexible working arrangements.
- Supporting economic participation of disability-led business and organisations – Councils purchase goods and services from a range of businesses and suppliers. Through this, they have the opportunity to support the economic participation of people with disability and disability organisations using council procurement strategies.
Practical approaches
What councils can do
- Accessible job design
- Review position descriptions to focus on genuine inherent requirements — the tasks and skills that are truly essential to do the role
- Avoid listing non-essential requirements that may create barriers (e.g. a driver’s licence when travel can be arranged otherwise).
- Use Job analysis and customisation tools from JobAccess to help tailor roles to candidate strengths, or split duties to create meaningful part-time work.
- Inclusive advertising
- Use clear, inclusive language.
- Include a statement in job advertisements encouraging and welcoming applicants with disability and invite applicants to request adjustments.
- Provide a named contact for accessibility queries.
- Barrier-free application processes
- Offer multiple ways to apply, including online, by phone, or through a support organisation.
- Supportive onboarding
- Make information available in
. - Provide clear, structured introductions to the workplace.
- Encourage new employees to share any access needs and make sure they know they can do so privately.
- Make information available in
Did you know?
There are hundreds of disability employment providers across Australia. You can find disability employment providers in your area at Inclusive Employment Australia’s Find a Provider page.
Useful resources
Directory
Resources, tools and training A collection of resources, tools and training to support inclusive recruitment, workplace adjustments and disability-aware employment practices. The Centre for Inclusive Employment
(opens in new window) Resource Autism Works - For Employers Information and resources for employers about employing autistic people. South Australian Government, Office for Autism
(opens in new window) Guide Neurodivergence and the workplace: Reducing unconscious bias in the recruitment process Article with tips for reducing unconscious bias in recruitment - most apply to disability generally. JobAccess
(opens in new window) What councils can do
- Have early and ongoing conversations with employees with disability about the adjustments and supports they may need.
- Provide adjustments that are physical (equipment or layout), procedural (flexible hours, hybrid work) or relational (mentoring, communication style). Revisit needs as roles change and new responsibilities are taken on board.
- Access the Employment Assistance Fund for workplace modifications, assistive technology and Auslan-English interpreting.
- Provide accessible induction materials and mentors for new starters.
- Adopt accessible meeting practices – both for in‑person and online meetings.
- Provide training for all council staff in disability awareness and adjustments.
- Consider a Disability Employee Network (DEN) or identify inclusion champions within council business units to advise on barriers and solutions to increase employment of people with disability.
Did you know?
According to JobAccess, more than 60% of employers underestimate how simple and low-cost most workplace adjustments are, yet these small changes make the biggest difference in attracting and retaining staff with disability.
JobAccess provides checklists for managers and HR teams on how to make and record workplace adjustments efficiently. Visit https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/
Useful resources
Guide
JobAccess – Employer resources Government resources that help employers recruit, retain and support employees with disability, including advice, funding and workplace adjustment guidance. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Directory Disability-inclusive workplace resources Tools, training and reports to support organisations to build disability-inclusive workplaces, including leadership programs and accessibility guidance. Australian Disability Network
(opens in new window) Guide Equality at work - for employers Guidance for employers on disability rights, responsibilities and good practice in employment, workplace adjustments and non-discrimination. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Guide Understanding workplace adjustments Explains how simple and low-cost workplace adjustments can support employees with disability, with checklists for managers and HR teams. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Training Disability Inclusion Training - Manager Module This training covers inclusive leadership, disability employment, workplace adjustments, and practical strategies to build a more accessible and equitable culture. Purple Orange
(opens in new window) Guide Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) Fund providing financial support for workplace modifications, assistive technology and Auslan-English interpreting for employees with disability. Referenced in the 'Building an inclusive workplace' snapshot. Australian Government / JobAccess
(opens in new window) What councils can do
- Create structured work experience, internships, traineeships or targeted graduate programs for people with disability.
- Support progression through mentoring programs and opportunities for employees to participate in short courses or other forms of micro‑learning.
- Provide leadership development programs that include people with disability.
- Work with staff members with disability to understand and address organisational barriers to career development.
- Work with specialist disability organisations to develop leadership pathways and promote Local Government employment opportunities.
Useful resources
Guide
Inclusive Employment Australia Information about the Inclusive Employment Australia program and how it supports people with disability to find and keep work. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Resource Road to Employment Road to Employment is about creating real opportunities for people with disability to move from school into meaningful, inclusive work. We work with businesses, schools, government, and communities to raise expectations, shift attitudes, build inclusive systems and strengthen capability through training, mentoring, and collaboration. Purple Orange
(opens in new window) What councils can do
- Promote and highlight stories of success through community newsletters or business forums to show that inclusion benefits everyone.
- Partner with local chambers of commerce, disability networks and training providers to build employer confidence.
- Use procurement processes to encourage suppliers to demonstrate inclusive employment practices.
What councils can do
-
Embed inclusion into procurement policies and contracts
- Make commitments in purchasing policies and procurement guidelines.
- Require suppliers to meet relevant accessibility standards (e.g. Premises Standards, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for digital products) and demonstrate accessibility compliance or improvement plans.
- Make sure Universal Design principles are applied in infrastructure, public or service design contracts.
- Introduce inclusion-focused outcomes for procurement, such as inclusive employment, accessible services or partnerships with disability social enterprises.
- Train procurement and contract staff in accessible procurement.
-
Build inclusion into supplier capability
- Provide clear guidance during market briefings about accessibility expectations and the benefits of inclusive products and services.
- Integrate accessibility questions and social value criteria into tenders and contract templates, and ensure disability employment, accessibility and inclusion are appropriately weighted in procurement scoring.
- Encourage suppliers to partner with disability enterprises and show how they involve people with lived experience of disability.
- Encourage suppliers and local contractors to actively use JobAccess.
Useful resources
Guide
Accessible procurement resources Practical tools to help organisations embed accessibility and inclusion into procurement processes and supplier relationships. Australian Disability Network
(opens in new window) Guide Social Procurement for Government Advice and resources to support government agencies to work with social enterprises through inclusive and social procurement. Social Traders
(opens in new window) Reflection questions
Consider these questions for your council
- 1
Where do candidates or employees currently encounter barriers in your recruitment, onboarding, meetings or systems, and what steps could you take to remove them?
- 2
When might a targeted recruitment strategy be appropriate for your council, and how could you document and communicate it?
- 3
What supports are you using to make workplace adjustments sustainable?
- 4
How are you modelling inclusion to influence local employers and suppliers?
- 5
How can you incorporate small changes to improve inclusive procurement, such as updating Requests For Quotes into your standard practice as a low-cost start?
Related Resources
16 useful resources Directory
Resources, tools and training A collection of resources, tools and training to support inclusive recruitment, workplace adjustments and disability-aware employment practices. The Centre for Inclusive Employment
(opens in new window) Guide JobAccess – Employer resources Government resources that help employers recruit, retain and support employees with disability, including advice, funding and workplace adjustment guidance. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Directory Disability-inclusive workplace resources Tools, training and reports to support organisations to build disability-inclusive workplaces, including leadership programs and accessibility guidance. Australian Disability Network
(opens in new window) Case Studies
Empower Ryde employment program — Ryde, New South Wales
Empower Ryde, initiated by City of Ryde's Economic Development team, provides peer-led employment and skills development to support people with disability to build confidence, develop practical job skills and connect with community.
Case Study
Meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability help to create more inclusive and thriving communities. Local councils play a key role in enabling these opportunities.
City of Ryde created the Empower Ryde program through its Economic Development team. The program supports people with disability to build confidence, learn job skills and connect with community.
Empower Ryde provides accessible and inclusive learning. Sessions focus on:
- employability
- business exploration
- speaking up for yourself
- wellbeing.
People with disability were actively involved in the design, delivery and leadership of Empower Ryde. Participants helped shape the content, format and focus areas based on their lived experience. Council staff made sure content was in line with employment and skills development goals.
The program remains peer-led, meaning participants help guide the topics and activities in the program.
Empower Ryde supports the City of Ryde Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022–2026, particularly in its focus on providing access and pathways to meaningful employment. It also supports the key goals in the City of Ryde’s Economic Development Strategy.
The program was developed because many people with disability face barriers to mainstream job programs. These barriers can make it harder for them to find and keep work.
Program funding supports tailored learning sessions that help people build job skills, gain confidence, understand their rights and connect with supportive peers. The funding specifically goes towards travel reimbursements for participants, allowances for peer leaders for their contribution to the planning and delivery of the event, and catering to ensure the gathering is accessible and welcoming.
Learn more about Empower Ryde.
Engagement and communications
This area is about how councils include people with disability in community consultation and events and make sure local government information is accessible to all people with disability who live in and visit the region.
Communities are more inclusive and welcoming for people with disability when councils:
- apply inclusive community engagement to involve people with disability in shaping their community. This includes developing strategic plans, planning processes and service design.
- hold inclusive and accessible events that everyone in the community can take part in.
- make sure information is accessible and reaches people with disability.
Communication and engagement is often required as part of
Practical approaches
Inclusive engagement with people with disability enables meaningful and effective community input to prioritise disability inclusion actions. It also improves attitudes and awareness of disability inclusion across the whole community.
In some states and territories, consultation with people with disability is required by law, for the creation of disability action plans. There are also a range of other council activities that require — or are improved by — community consultation, engagement and co-design (find out more about
Engaging across all parts of the community is important to promote disability inclusion. Community stakeholders who deliver services and support people with disability are well-placed to help councils make sure people with disability are included in community life. They might also be involved in developing and delivering council and other community actions to improve disability inclusion.
For guidance on designing accessible engagement activities, visit the Good Practice Guidelines for Engaging with People with Disability.
What councils can do
When planning engagement:
- Engage people with disability early and often — ideally before decisions are made.
- Partner with local disability organisations, networks or advocates to hold engagement activities and make sure communication reaches people with disability.
- Identify people with disability in the engagement plan and consider the most meaningful ways to engage. Choose a mix of different engagement methods to make sure your engagement is accessible to all.
- Consider intersectionality and how this might impact people’s ability to participate in engagement activities. Designing engagement activities for different people, including activities that reach people where they are, helps make sure you achieve appropriate representation of the community in your engagement process.
- Budget for accessibility (e.g. Auslan, real-time captioning) when planning engagement activities.
When undertaking engagement:
- Offer multiple engagement modes: face-to-face, online, phone, small group, drop-in sessions, surveys in multiple formats.
- Ask participants what supports they may need (e.g. regular breaks, support person, smaller groups, visuals, Auslan, agendas and materials in Easy Read formats). For example, you might include a specific question about this on event registration pages.
- Consider all elements of venue accessibility. This can include, for example, physical access, quiet rooms, clear signage, and sensory considerations (such as reducing smells).
- Make sure facilitators understand trauma-informed practice and the importance of culturally safe engagement. Consider using or hiring a facilitator who has lived experience of disability.
- Where appropriate, pay people with disability for their time and expertise when they join advisory committees or
activities. - Acknowledge the time and effort of people to engage.
When evaluating and reporting on engagement:
- Consider co-designing your evaluation approach with people with disability (focusing on what success looks like and what data should be collected).
- Include questions in engagement feedback forms that aim to understand inclusion and access of activities, with options for people to provide ideas for improvement.
- Capture accessibility barriers and consider how these can be addressed in future.
- Where possible, share results with participants. Report back findings in
.
Useful resources
Guide
Good Practice Guidelines for Engaging with People with Disability A national guide outlining principles and practical steps for inclusive engagement, with a focus on accessibility, respect and meaningful participation. Australian Government – Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Guide Guide to Co-Design with People Living with Disability A practical guide explaining co-design with people with disability, including shared decision-making, collaboration and resourcing considerations. Purple Orange
(opens in new window) Guide Co-design fact sheets 4 fact sheets on why codesign is important, working with the principles of co-design, when co-design should be implemented and how co-design should be implemented Queensland Government / Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
(opens in new window) Framework IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum A framework describing different levels of public participation, from informing to empowering communities in decision-making. Engagement Institute
(opens in new window) Guide Principles for Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Principles for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for projects. AIATSIS
(opens in new window) Guide Principles for engagement in projects concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Principles for respectful and culturally appropriate engagement with First Nations peoples. AIATSIS
(opens in new window) Guide Engagement Institute – Engagement Methods Tool Interactive tool offering a wide range of engagement methods for councils undertaking community engagement. Engagement Institute Australia
(opens in new window) Guide Queensland Government – Facilitating Accessible and Inclusive Sessions Guidance on facilitating accessible and inclusive sessions from Queensland's digital service design playbook. Queensland Government
(opens in new window) Guide Inclusion Australia – A Guide to Running Inclusive Consultations Guide to running inclusive consultations for people with intellectual disability and the broader community. Linked within the co-design page body text. Inclusion Australia
(opens in new window) Guide DARU – How to Be Disability Inclusive Guide on how to be disability inclusive in engagement and practice. Listed in the resources section of the guide. Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
(opens in new window) Councils hold and facilitate events, activities and programs for community members. These include activities like:
- community events and celebrations
- training and education sessions, like at libraries
- holiday programs for young people
- active lifestyle programs for people including seniors.
These initiatives aim to build relationships, connect people in the community and support local strengths. It’s important they’re inclusive of people with disability.
What councils can do
- Engage people with disability in the design of community programs and events.
- Make sure council staff and community organisations know how to plan an inclusive event from start to end. Many councils have their own inclusive event guides and checklists.
- Update community grants guidelines to prioritise, reward and set standards for inclusive practices.
- Apply
<InfoDrawer label="Universal Design principles" contentId="universal-design-principles" variant="link" />so programs and events are accessible and effective for as many people as possible, benefitting the whole community. - Promote inclusive neighbourhood initiatives with options for low sensory hours/times and having quiet zones at council-run facilities and activities.
- Have multilingual, culturally appropriate communication for First Nations and CALD communities, acknowledging that understanding of disability differs across cultures.
- Consider grant programs for holding accessible community events that specifically encourage people with disability, family, friends and carers to take part.
Useful resources
Guide
Accessible Events Guide A practical guide to planning and delivering events that are accessible and inclusive for people with disability. Queensland Government
(opens in new window) Toolkit Accessible and Inclusive Community Events Toolkit A toolkit supporting organisations and councils to plan inclusive community events with practical accessibility guidance and resources. Inclusive SA (South Australian Government)
(opens in new window) Guide Planning Inclusive Communities – The Makings Tools and guidance to support inclusive community development and participation through universal design and engagement. Planning Inclusive Communities
(opens in new window) Toolkit International Day of People with Disability Resources Resources to support and help promote IDPWD activities Australian Government
(opens in new window) Training Accessible Events Training This training provides practical tools and inclusive strategies to help you plan and deliver events that are welcoming and accessible to all. Purple Orange
(opens in new window) Guide Victoria – Accessible Event Guidelines and Checklist Accessible events guidelines and checklist for Victorian councils and organisations. Victorian Government – DFFH
(opens in new window) Volunteering and civic participation offer meaningful ways for people, including people with disability, to contribute skills, experience and perspectives to their community. Councils play an important role in providing safe and supportive environments for volunteers. Councils can be a popular place to volunteer, with opportunities across areas like libraries, events, programs and community services.
Ensuring volunteering opportunities are accessible and inclusive helps support the participation of people with disability.
What councils can do
- Review volunteering and participation processes to identify opportunities to improve accessibility for people with disability.
- Make sure volunteer workplace health and safety requirements are in place, with adjustments to meet the needs of people with disability.
- Promote opportunities through accessible channels and community networks.
- Recognise and value the contributions of volunteers with disability through channels such as newsletters and social media.
Accessible information and communication support awareness of council services, programs and initiatives. It is the foundation for achieving equal participation.
It also makes sure that everyone who lives in or visits your local government area has access to the information they need about what’s available in your city or region. Having information in accessible formats is a requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act. This applies to councils when sharing critical public information and notices.
What councils can do
Accessible communication should include the following actions:
- Recognise people with disability may need information in different formats to access and understand it. Read the summary of
. - Make sure online and digital information and platforms are accessible using web accessibility standards (WCAG) and following the AHRC’s guidelines on equal access to digital goods and services.
- Make sure your social media and visual communication is accessible by using alt text or image descriptions on photos and graphics and captioning on videos and social posts.
- Make sure communication like social media posts, online forms, newsletters and signage follow inclusive principles. This includes making sure photos or art about the community regularly features people with disability.
- Provide a contact person for accessibility support on public communications, wherever possible.
Useful resources
Guide
Accessible communication formats Provides information and links on accessible print and digital document formats to support inclusive communication for people with disability. Australian Government – Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Guide Plain language and word choice Provides guidance on using plain language and clear word choice to improve accessibility and understanding in written communications. Australin Government
(opens in new window) Guide Writing in plain English Provides practical steps and examples to support writing in plain English for accessible and inclusive communication. Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
(opens in new window) Standards Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Information on international accessibility standards for web content to ensure digital information is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for users with disability. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
(opens in new window) Standards What is the WCAG standard? An overview of the WCAG standards and how they apply to creating accessible digital content and services in Australia. Centre for Accessibility Australia
(opens in new window) Guide Creating accessible and inclusive communications Guidance for organisations on creating accessible and inclusive communications, with a focus on supporting employees with disability. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Guide Easy English vs Easy Read. What's the difference? Summary article on what Easy English and Easy Read are. Embrace Access
(opens in new window) Guide Guidelines on Equal Access to Digital Goods and Services Guidance on ensuring people with disability have equal access to digital goods and services in line with human rights obligations. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Resource Communication Access Scope services and resources to become more communication accessible and get accredited with the Communication Access Symbol. Scope Australia
(opens in new window) Resource Communication Access Two Way Street is the only South Australian Approved Assessment Organisation for Communication Access – providing training and assessment for organisations seeking this important accreditation. This page also provides downloadable resources. Two Way Street
(opens in new window) Guide Hosting accessible and inclusive online meetings and events This guide has information on: - preparing for an accessible and inclusive online meeting or event - hosting an accessible and inclusive online meeting or event - participating in an online meeting or event in a way that supports accessibility and inclusivity - enhancing and ensuring accessibility following the online meeting or event Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Guide Free PDF Accessibility Checker Free online tool for councils to verify their PDFs are accessible. Mentioned within the accessible communications snapshot. PDF4WCAG / DualLab
(opens in new window) Guide Alt Text Digital Guide (Victoria) Guide on how to write and add alt text to images for accessible digital communication. Mentioned within the accessible communications snapshot. Victorian Government
(opens in new window) Reflection questions
Consider these questions for your council
- 1
How early and how well do we involve people with disability in planning and infrastructure decisions?
- 2
Do we provide the right supports for people to genuinely be involved and help shape decisions?
- 3
Do we make sure there is a feedback loop to share council decisions back with participants and the community after an engagement process?
- 4
How do we ensure engagement is culturally safe for First Nations and CALD communities with disability?
- 5
What systems or templates can we standardise (e.g. event checklists, engagement guides) to reduce barriers to engagement?
- 6
Have we embedded inclusive design into all community programs, not only large events or infrastructure?
- 7
Are people with disability encouraged and able to participate in our events and community programs?
- 8
Do we work with community organisations to make sure events and programs, including in sports, recreation and arts are inclusive and accessible?
- 9
Is information about our city and region as accessible as it can be?
- 10
Have we sent notices about important information, like road changes, rates notices and emergency information, in multiple and accessible formats?
- 11
Do we have a place on our website for people to ask for information in different formats?
Related Resources
32 useful resources Guide
Accessible communication formats Provides information and links on accessible print and digital document formats to support inclusive communication for people with disability. Australian Government – Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Guide Plain language and word choice Provides guidance on using plain language and clear word choice to improve accessibility and understanding in written communications. Australin Government
(opens in new window) Guide Writing in plain English Provides practical steps and examples to support writing in plain English for accessible and inclusive communication. Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
(opens in new window) Case Studies
Disability at Dusk – Casey, Victoria
Disability at Dusk is a joint initiative by City of Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong Councils to create a truly inclusive and accessible event for people with disability.
Case Study
Community events add to the social and cultural fabric of places and spaces. Making sure these events are inclusive and accessible ensures everyone can participate, which leads to stronger and more connected communities.
Disability at Dusk is a joint initiative by City of Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong Councils to create a truly inclusive and accessible event for people with disability.
From design to delivery, the event puts inclusion front and centre by making sure barriers to participation by people with disability are addressed directly.
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An Access Guide to the event is in place
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Volunteers are on hand to help people find and move around the event
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Quiet spaces are available for those who need time away from the crowds and noise.
Public community events can be inaccessible for people with disability for many reasons, including noise, crowds, sensory overload, limited accessible facilities or a lack of tailored support. A key challenge for event organisers is ensuring safe pedestrian access, clear wayfinding during events, and event communications that are accessible for everyone.
By forming a council alliance (Southern Region Disability Alliance), the councils from Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia were able to leverage funding of $25,000 and establish a Community Reference Group to guide accessibility, planning and onsite support.
The event now attracts over 1,000 attendees from across Victoria, and it is supported by more than 20 volunteers. Organisers have received glowing feedback!
The key lesson is that inclusive, accessible events can be achieved through collaboration between councils and direct engagement with the community to understand what is needed. This approach also shows how strong connections can be built between councils, business partners and local disability communities.
Learn more about City of Casey’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2029 & the Southern Region Disability Alliance’s Disability at Dusk event.
Accessible infrastructure and services
This area is about how councils plan, design, build and maintain public spaces and facilities. It also talks about how to make sure council services are more inclusive for all.
When places, infrastructure and services are accessible, people with disability can participate more independently. They can travel safely, engage in civic life and enjoy their community on the same basis as people without disability.
Councils have to follow the laws under Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) to make sure places, infrastructure and services are accessible. The DDA applies to all organisations in Australia (public and private). Services, amenities and policies provided by councils are covered by the DDA. For example:
- planning approval processes
- recreation and cultural facilities
- community services (e.g. childcare, aged care or accommodation)
- parking facilities
- infrastructure (e.g. local roads, bridges, footpaths and waste collection)
- public toilet facilities.
There are also Disability Standards under the DDA that set rules and guidance for what organisations like councils must do. They cover areas like access to public transport, buildings and facilities. The Standards are:
- Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
- Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010
The National Construction Code (NCC) translates these Standards into technical provisions that apply to many council projects and planning approvals.
States and territories also have their own legislation and requirements in place for public spaces and infrastructure. It’s important to check
Practical approaches
Universal design means designing products, environments and services so they can be used by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation. The
- equitable use
- flexibility
- simplicity
- perceptible information
- tolerance for error
- low physical effort
- appropriate size and space.
Where councils have planning, design or approval responsibilities, they should support the design and delivery of buildings, places and services in ways that remove barriers to access and participation for people with disability.
What councils can do
- Make sure planners and construction teams have access to the rules and guidance under the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 and Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002.
- Use practical universal design guidelines and checklists from Australian sources, such as the Centre for Universal Design Australia practice guidelines and state-based universal design policies (e.g. the Victorian Whole of Government Universal Design Policy).
- Require planning and design teams and consultants to demonstrate how they have applied
and complied with Disability Standards. This should include design that ensures access for people with physical, sensory, cognitive, neurological and psychosocial disability. - Integrate universal design into planning legislation and development assessment guidance. This ensures developers understand how accessibility expectations go beyond minimum compliance.
- Design, construct or install specialised equipment in council-run and managed facilities:
- Add ramps, use pool hoists and aquatic wheelchairs, and make quiet areas available in recreation and aquatic facilities. Quiet areas do not always have to be purpose-built spaces — existing spaces can often be adapted through sensory adjustments.
- Include accessible adult change facilities such as Changing Places in key destinations such as town centres, regional parks, civic squares, community hubs, libraries, aquatic centres and event spaces. Consider Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) systems for some toilets and other facilities to ensure they remain available to the people who need them.
- Install accessible beach and nature infrastructure, such as beach matting, and beach access programs that loan equipment at no cost.
See the case studies section for examples of implementing inclusion and accessible infrastructure in council facilities.
Funding disability specific design and facilities
Look for specific funding opportunities for local government at the national or state level to support the construction of fixed and portable facilities for people with disability.
The Commonwealth Government’s Accessible Australia program is one example of funding for inclusive beaches, parks, facilities and play spaces.
Councils could also partner with local organisations to sponsor or fundraise for accessible equipment for parks, beaches and other facilities. For example, local RSLs and Lions Clubs often partner with councils to do this.
Accessible housing and local government
Housing is a human right under the United Nations CRPD (Article 19 - the right to live independently and be included in the community and Article 28 - the right to an adequate standard of living and social protection, including housing). Having appropriate, accessible and inclusive housing is also a commitment in Australia’s Disability Strategy.
While state and territory governments predominantly set the legislative and policy frameworks for housing outcomes, councils are responsible for local decisions about zoning, planning, infrastructure, capital works and other areas that can impact where housing is available. Some local councils also provide or lead affordable or social housing and other types of accommodation.
Councils can play an important role in supporting housing outcomes aligned with community need. The Australian Local Government Association Guide for Local Councils: The Delivery of Affordable Housing identified that around 60% of Councils include housing in their strategic plans and 39% have dedicated Housing Plans.
Standards for accessible housing
The National Construction Code sets minimum accessibility standards, particularly through the Livable Housing Design Standard. This Standard has been adopted in all states and territories except WA and NSW. In WA, meeting the Standard is encouraged through relevant Residential Planning codes.
Why is this important?
People with disability experience disproportionate housing disadvantage. The AIHW People with Disability in Australia report (2024) shows that, as of June 2022, 36% of social housing households included a person with disability and 33% of Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients receiving rent assistance were in rental stress. According to AIHW data on ADS outcomes, households with disability also wait longer to access social housing; in 2024-25, these households had to wait an average of 652 days for public housing, and 722 days for state owned and managed Indigenous housing (SOMIH).
Useful resources
Standards
Liveable Housing Design Standard Provides minimum design features to improve accessibility and usability in housing across the life course. Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)
(opens in new window) Resource Unlocking accessibility with the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) A video about the City of Darwin's Master Locksmith Access Key, available to people with disability. The MLAK offers access to a network of public facilities fitted with special locks, including accessible toilets and other amenities. City of Darwin
(opens in new window) Guide Victorian Whole of Government Universal Design Policy State-based universal design policy. Mentioned within the 'Inclusion in infrastructure and services design' snapshot as a practical guideline councils can use. Victorian Government
(opens in new window) Guide Victorian Health Building Authority – Universal Design Resources Universal design resources for healthcare and community buildings in Victoria. Listed in the resources section of the guide. Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA)
(opens in new window) Councils are often responsible for planning, designing and building community spaces for public use. This includes parks and playgrounds or urban centres and spaces within cities and neighbourhoods. Councils can apply universal design and disability specific design principles in their planning stages, to build spaces that are accessible to all.
What councils can do
- Look at examples of accessible parks and playgrounds from other councils.
- Consider setting up a short-term
group that includes people with disability and people with other access needs (e.g. new parents, older people) to help you design an accessible space. - Engage contractors that put accessibility front and centre in their planning and design stages.
- Make sure council teams and contractors know the requirements for community places and facilities in legislation.
Useful resources
Standards
Changing Places Design Specifications Defines national design specifications for changing places. Equal Access / Changing Places
(opens in new window) Standards Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard Provides design requirements and guidance for Specialist Disability Accommodation to support accessibility, safety and participant outcomes. National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
(opens in new window) Guide Changing Places Information about Changing Places — accessible toilet and change facilities for people with high support needs — including where to find them and how to provide them. Changing Places Australia
(opens in new window) While many councils don’t operate public transport, they play a central role in how people travel to, between and from stops, interchanges and key destinations.
Giving people safe and accessible routes to walk, ride and/or use a range of mobility and navigation aids, is important for disability inclusion in the community.
When planning for and supporting travel through the community, it is important to think about every part of a trip. This includes ‘hard’ infrastructure, such as pathways, signage, bathroom facilities and seating, and ‘soft’ infrastructure, such as staff and driver interactions.
What councils can do
- Have an inclusive Active Travel Strategy in place to support all members of the community to move about with ease and enjoy the benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling.
- Work with diverse disability advisory councils and community members to design and test active transport and whole of journey planning in your neighbourhoods.
- As much as possible, provide continuous, step-free, well-lit and maintained paths of travel between homes, parking, bus stops, interchanges, shops, services, health facilities, schools, parks and community facilities.
- Design kerb ramps, tactile ground surface indicators, crossing points, seating and shade in line with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, the NCC and relevant Australian Standards and collaborate with state road agencies where responsibilities overlap.
- Plan accessible parking, drop-off and pick-up zones, taxi ranks and set-down areas close to key entries, with connections to doors and lifts.
- Work with transport agencies on wayfinding strategies that use multiple formats (clear, easily understood signage at accessible heights, tactile and braille information, audio and digital tools).
- Prepare contingency plans and guidance for issues like lift outages or unexpected obstacles at council-owned and run transport interchanges. This includes having clear temporary signage, staff support and immediate communication about any changes to planned routes.
Whole of journey thinking
The Whole Journey: A guide for thinking beyond compliance to create accessible public transport journeys shows that people experience travel as one continuous journey, where each step matters. It highlights that accessibility relies not only on transport but also on the surrounding spaces people move through. When councils plan precincts and civic places with the whole of journey in mind, people can move confidently between stops, services and local destinations.
When designing a main street, councils can ask:
- Does the route include clear signage, sun-safe resting points, safe crossings and an accessible toilet along the way?
Useful resources
Guide
Whole Journey: Thinking beyond compliance Outlines a whole-of-journey approach to accessible public transport planning. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Guide Cycling Without Age – Northern Rivers Rail Trail Trishaw Program Free trishaw rides for people with disability or reduced mobility on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. Mentioned in the Northern Rivers Rail Trail case study body text. Tweed Shire Council / Cycling Without Age
(opens in new window) Councils provide services in the community such as libraries, recreation centres, waste collection and disposal and community programs. Everyone in the community has the right to be able to access and use these services. It’s important councils make sure they are accessible to people with disability, considering the wide range of access needs.
What councils can do
- Use the principles, guidance and practical steps listed throughout this guide to review council services and make sure they are accessible to people with disability.
- Implement accessibility across all council-run service centres and facilities, including:
- physical accessibility, such as ramps, rails, wide access and accessible bathrooms
- accessible signage (e.g. high contrast colours and possibly braille)
- information about the service in multiple
- sensory safe spaces and quiet rooms.
- Develop policies for supporting people with disability to access services across your main council functions (e.g. waste management, community programs etc).
Trauma-informed and accessible complaints processes
Trauma informed practice ensures people are empowered to engage with complaints systems in a safe way.
Councils should be clear about how a person with disability or their supporters can make a complaint to council if they have concerns about being treated unfairly. This includes if there are accessibility issues in community services that council is responsible for.
When making a complaint, a person with disability must be treated with respect, and consideration to past and continuing trauma and any experiences of discrimination occurring in a person’s life.
Councils should make sure people are aware of the advocacy services available to them.
Useful resources
Guide
Guide for Local Councils on the Delivery of Affordable Housing Led by Australian Community Housing and supported by ALGA, the Guide aims to build capability and partnerships between local government and Community Housing Providers. It recognises that, while councils are not required to provide affordable housing, they may seek to play a meaningful role where it aligns with community priorities and capacity. Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
(opens in new window) Plan Partnering for inclusive housing with Queenslanders with disability 2024-2027 (Disability Housing Action Plan) Queensland's Disability Housing Action Plan outlining partnerships and commitments to improve housing options and accessibility for Queenslanders with disability from 2024 to 2027. Queensland Government
(opens in new window) Guide Complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act AHRC overview of the DDA, complaints and enforcement. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Guide Report and issue or make a complaint about a provider or worker Overview of process for making a complaint about an NDIS provider or worker. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
(opens in new window) Guide Australian Disability Parking Scheme National scheme for disability parking. Listed in the inclusive communities resources section. Australian Government Department of Health
(opens in new window) Digital access is becoming increasingly vital and should be prioritised alongside physical access. Digital services need to be accessible and inclusive of diverse communities. This includes:
- websites
- apps
- online forms, including for issues and complaints processes
- payment systems
- booking platforms
- public Wi-Fi
- digital kiosks
- social media.
Accessible digital services can expand reach, improve user satisfaction and reduce complaints and costs over time.
What councils can do
- Adopt an organisation-wide digital accessibility policy aligned with AHRC guidance and WCAG accessibility requirements.
- Include accessibility in procurement for websites, apps, customer request systems, ticketing and information displays, including requiring testing with diverse users.
- Provide communication and information in multiple formats.
. - Ensure digital tools are part of your council’s service system, so people can access services without having to use the phone or visit service centres. This includes services such as libraries.
Guidelines for equal access to digital goods and services
The AHRC Guidelines on Equal Access to Digital Goods and Services explain how obligations under the DDA apply to technology, such as using the WCAG.
Useful resources
Directory
Inclusive and digital design resources A collection of resources supporting inclusive and accessible digital and service design. Centre for Inclusive Design
(opens in new window) Guide Guidelines on Equal Access to Digital Goods and Services Guidance on ensuring equal access to digital goods and services for people with disability. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) All council assets and infrastructure should have a maintenance plan and budget to make sure they remain accessible to all. Common things that need regular maintenance reviews include:
- lifts
- ramps
- tactile indicators
- lighting
- shared paths
- beach access
- public toilets
- digital systems.
What councils can do
- Build accessibility checks into regular asset inspections for roads, footpaths, parks, buildings, toilets, signage and digital platforms.
- Prioritise fixing barriers that have high impact on safety and participation, informed by feedback from people with disability.
- Use renewal programs and asset management plans as opportunities to improve accessibility beyond original standards, rather than like-for-like replacement. This can be done over a phased roll-out to help with budget management.
- Monitor and respond to both positive and negative feedback about accessibility to identify issues and improve future asset accessibility.
Planning for accessible infrastructure and services works best when councils partner with people with disability, disability organisations and local access and inclusion advisory groups. It’s also important to work with other levels of government who may be involved in delivery.
What councils can do
Some practical ways to engage in partnerships for more accessible infrastructure and services include:
- use your disability advisory committees to provide input into infrastructure and service planning
- work with local advocacy and disability organisations to better understand community needs and design places and facilities with their input
- conduct site experiences with community members with disability
- design and test digital products and services with assistive technology users
- use
(consultation and co-design, if possible) to involve people with disability in major projects - partner with other councils or local government disability inclusion networks to share information and designs for accessible infrastructure and services, including what works and what doesn’t.
Councils can also work with local partners to advocate for upgrades to infrastructure, assets and services in community that are the responsibility of other agencies.
Reflection questions
Consider these questions for your council
- 1
How well do your current infrastructure and service strategies demonstrate Universal Design and disability specific design beyond minimum legal compliance? Can this be incorporated in your asset management plan to assist with a phased implementation?
- 2
How have the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 and Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 been used and communicated to council staff and external suppliers?
- 3
When planning improvements for town centres or precincts, how do you consider the whole journey from people's homes, through public, community or active transport, to their final destination? Is this in your neighbourhood plans? Where are the current gaps?
- 4
How accessible are your digital services? Do you have a clear plan to meet or exceed AHRC guidance on equal access to digital goods and services?
- 5
How are people with disability involved in setting priorities for infrastructure upgrades and helping to design solutions, and how do you close the feedback loop by showing what has changed as a result?
Related Resources
28 useful resources Standards
Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Defines mandatory national requirements for accessible public transport services and infrastructure, including compliance obligations and reform information. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Standards Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards & Review Sets national accessibility requirements for buildings and outlines review findings on the effectiveness of the Premises Standards. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Standards National Construction Code Is Australia’s primary framework for building design and construction, including mandatory accessibility and performance provisions. Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)
(opens in new window) Case Studies
Accessible changing places — Greater Geelong, Victoria
The City of Greater Geelong has installed multiple Changing Places facilities and operates 'Marveloo', a portable fully accessible change facility that can be taken to events and community sites across the municipality.
Case Study
Inclusive public spaces and amenities help people take part in community life. Local councils can improve access by making sure facilities meet the needs of everyone. These facilities can be fixed infrastructure or mobile options.
One such mobile facility has helped transform how Greater Geelong delivers inclusive, accessible events for its community. That facility is a toilet…
Greater Geelong is one of Victoria’s fastest growing regions. About 22% of people in the area have a disability. That’s about 54,985 people. The council runs many community events. These events attract large numbers of locals and visitors. As events grow, the Council needs facilities that work for everyone.
The council introduced the ‘Marveloo’. The Marveloo is a portable changing places facility. It includes a track hoist and adjustable adult changing table.
The Council’s local inclusion advisory group advocated for the portable solution, which has now been used at major community events like The Royal Geelong Show and Ability Fest.
Because Marveloo is portable, the council can use it at events and temporary sites. They don’t need to build new structures each time, saving time and money. Marveloo shows how one simple, flexible design can be used to greatly improve access across the region.
The Marveloo joins the permanent Changing Places locations across Geelong, some have been in place since 2009.
It’s one example of how councils can make events more inclusive. Where everyone has access and feels welcome.
Learn more about Marveloo on the City of Greater Geelong’s website.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail — Tweed Shire, New South Wales
A multi-council inclusive trail in regional NSW, designed for mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive access, with smooth surfaces, accessible toilets, a social script and assistance-animal-friendly paths.
Case Study
Public spaces work best when everyone can use them. Inclusive trails, parks, and shared outdoor spaces help communities come together, stay active, and feel connected.
Local councils play an important role in creating these spaces. The Northern Rivers Rail Trail in regional New South Wales is an example of what’s possible when inclusion is considered from the planning stage.
The trail is a multi-use path for walking, cycling, and other activities. It follows a historic railway line through towns, farmland, and natural landscapes. The trail has received national recognition, winning Silver at the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
The trail meets recognised standards for inclusion across mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive access.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is delivered through a partnership between Tweed Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, Lismore City Council and Richmond Valley Council.
When complete, the trail will span 132 km. Two sections are currently open, including a 24 km northern section between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek and a 29.7 km southern section between Casino and Lismore.
Key accessible features of the trail include:
- smooth surfaces suitable for mobility scooters and devices
- accessible parking, rest areas with seating and accessible toilets at key locations
- a social script to support people with cognitive disability or autism
- assistance animals welcome along the trail
Tweed Shire Council have also partnered with Cycling Without Age to offer free trishaw rides on an approved section of the trail at Burringbar. This allows older people, people with disability or anyone with reduced mobility to still experience the trail. Access and inclusion have not only been considered in the design of the trail, but also in how the space can be activated after completion through community partnerships and programs.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail shows how councils can work together to create inclusive outdoor community spaces.
Read the Northern Rivers Rail Trail accessibility statement or learn more about the trail on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail website.
Accessible playground — Melville, Western Australia
The City of Melville's Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park demonstrates how community engagement, partnerships and co-design can place accessibility at the heart of inclusive play spaces.
Case Study
Inclusive play spaces help support people of all abilities to play, connect and belong. Local councils play an important role in delivering these spaces through thoughtful design and community engagement.
The City of Melville’s Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park, set within a 67-hectare reserve within Western Australia, is designed to support a range of needs, enabling people with disability to play/be and interact alongside family, friends and community.
Key to the design process for this staged redevelopment, was the City’s engagement, collaboration and partnerships with community, organisations, designers, contractors, specialists and artists to place accessibility (creative and playful) at the heart of design considerations.
Engagement methods, ongoing relationships, shared experiences and onsite testing by people with disability, all helped shape the creation of unique quality play experiences, with layered opportunities and healthy levels of risk and challenge for this park.
The result is a flexible, welcoming space that supports a wide range of play preferences.
Key features of the park include:
- Wide paths, ramps and tunnels connecting play pods.
- Views and connections to lake, mature trees, wildlife.
- Slides, swings, roundabout, transfer and transition edges, turtle play dome, rope climb, rock clamber, balance and upper body play.
- Art discovery, raised gardens, sand and water play, sound elements, elevated and enclosed experiences, interactive sensory elements.
- Quiet areas.
- Picnic tables, drink fountains, bathrooms, and BBQ.
City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair said the City’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2024 – 2029 is an important document in helping achieve its vision of an inclusive community.
‘We aim to build neighbourhoods where all members have strong social connections and part of that is ensuring those who live with a disability and those who share their lives are supported to participate in the community equally and fairly and in ways they choose.’
Learn more about the Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park on the City of Melville website.
Community safety and emergency management
This area is about how councils can help make sure community safety, including during emergencies and natural disasters, considers the specific needs of people with disability in the community.
It is a requirement of national and state legislation and policy, including the Disability Discrimination Act, that every person has the right to safety.
Councils should consider how their community safety actions and programs include and support the safety of people with disability in the community. This applies to areas that councils lead or play an important role in, such as:
- emergency management and recovery
- crime prevention – for example, through environmental design, lighting in parks and reserves, CCTV and neighbourhood watch programs
- road safety programs and safe active travel
- safe and inclusive public spaces
- maintaining community cohesion.
Councils can work in partnership with people with disability, advocates and service providers to strengthen community safety, plan for safer public spaces and make sure emergency management considers the specific risk factors and needs of everyone in the community.
Emergency and disaster management
Important note: Emergency management responsibilities vary across states and territories, and not all local governments have formal response or control functions. However, all local governments play an important role in reducing risk, supporting preparedness, communicating with their communities, and facilitating accessible local supports before, during and after emergencies. Use the following information as a guide to apply what is needed in your council area.
During emergencies and disasters, people with disability can face increased risk when usual supports, infrastructure and communication systems are disrupted. This could include:
- physical barriers restricting mobility
- chronic health conditions that are worsened (e.g. respiratory problems impacted by smoke from fires, extreme heat etc)
- stressful, unpredictable or overstimulating emergency environments, which can create additional barriers and communication difficulties for people with neurodivergent, cognitive or psychosocial disability
- challenges communicating or receiving information for people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have intellectual disability.
Councils often play a role in preparing and responding to emergencies to keep everyone in the community safe. Emergencies most often refers to natural disasters like fires, floods and cyclones and public health emergencies.
Councils with responsibilities for emergency management should co-develop mechanisms with people with disability across all stages, from preparedness to recovery. This helps embed safety, accessibility and shared responsibility within systems, rather than adding them retrospectively.
Even councils who don’t have key responsibilities in emergency management still need to consider safety and responses in:
- managing important community facilities that are often a lifeline in disasters
- communicating about access in the community during and following an emergency.
Important guidance for improving disaster preparedness, response and recovery with people with disability
Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Framework: The DIDRR Framework and Toolkit for Collaborative Action provides a shared foundation for improving disaster preparedness, response and recovery for people with disability across Australia. It was co-designed with people with disability, community organisations, researchers and emergency services to ensure the guidance reflects real experiences and practical barriers. Councils can use the framework to review local emergency plans and identify gaps and design actions that better support the safety and wellbeing of their community before, during and after disasters. There are two practical tools produced in this work to help councils activate DIDRR at the individual, organisational and community level:
- the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP)
- the Disability Inclusive Emergency Planning (DIEP).
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Toolkit for Disability Inclusive Emergency Management (DIEM): The Disability Inclusive Emergency Management (DIEM) Toolkit shares good practice tools and resources for disability inclusive emergency management developed in Australia. It includes Principles and a Practical Action Guide, Organisational Emergency Preparedness Profile, and a Resource Map. Each component of the toolkit works together to facilitate self-assessment, collaboration, and tailored action planning for emergency preparedness. Councils can use the toolkit to assess their emergency preparedness and capabilities, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and foster strategic partnerships with other emergency planners and responders.
There are free eLearning modules for Disability Inclusion Emergency Management on the NEMA website.
Practical approaches
What councils can do
- Use the DIEM Toolkit’s Organisational Emergency Preparedness Profile to understand how current council policies and systems consider disability inclusion.
- Apply
when planning or upgrading council facilities and public infrastructure. This helps make sure facilities are accessible and more resilient in times of emergency. - Involve people with disability and representative organisations in local risk assessments, hazard mapping or emergency planning activities.
- Plan for mitigating risks in natural disasters and other emergencies for people with disability as part of broader climate adaptation and community resilience initiatives.
Useful resources
Guide
Disability Inclusive Emergency Planning (DIEP) Practical tool produced alongside the DIDRR Framework to help councils activate disability inclusive emergency planning at individual, organisational and community level. Collaborating4Inclusion
(opens in new window) Guide DIEM Toolkit – Organisational Emergency Preparedness Profile Self-assessment tool component of the DIEM Toolkit. Mentioned in the 'Prevention and mitigation' snapshot as a specific action councils can take. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
(opens in new window) What councils can do
- Work with disability organisations or community services to support personalised emergency planning, including through P-CEP workshops.
- Make sure emergency information and community education materials are accessible, including in
. - Review emergency plans, websites and apps to ensure they are accessible and user-test them with people with disability.
- Support staff and volunteers with training on respectful, inclusive communication and assistance during emergencies, including making sure they’re aware of what specific supports are available.
- Strengthen partnerships with emergency services, disability networks and local providers to ensure coordinated assistance for residents who may have higher support needs.
What councils can do
- Ensure warnings and updates are clear, timely and accessible. This means delivering updates in
, including information in plain English, Auslan and captions where possible. - Ensure evacuation centres and community relief hubs are as accessible as possible, with adequate access into buildings, accessible bathrooms and charging points for mobility or medical devices.
- Stay connected with disability organisations and local support providers to support connections with residents who may need additional support.
- Make sure all council teams and volunteers involved in emergency response are clear about procedures and specific supports available to help people with disability with access needs, including during evacuation procedures.
What councils can do
- Draw on P-CEP insights to shape recovery supports that respond to individual needs.
- Involve people with disability and representative organisations in community consultations and recovery planning.
- Apply
to rebuilding projects to ensure public spaces and buildings are more accessible than before. - Work with disability and community organisations to deliver recovery hubs that offer information, mobility aid repair, peer support and wellbeing services.
- If possible, put in place programs to support people with disability during community recovery. This includes things that help to address isolation and social or psychological impacts people with disability may be more likely to experience during and after disasters. For example, distress caused by change and uncertainty during and after disasters, which can be more prominent for people who are neurodivergent or have a cognitive disability.
- Work across systems to provide vital temporary services or facilities that may be required for people with disability while recovery efforts are underway. This may include ensuring there are accessible temporary or short-term accommodation options available.
What councils can do
- Provide key information in
such as plain language, Easy Read, captions, Auslan or screen-reader friendly content - Share updates through a mix of channels — SMS alerts, social media, websites, radio and local networks
- Keep messages concise, practical and action-focused
- Collaborate with disability organisations and support providers to help ensure information reaches residents who may need targeted support
Reflection questions
Consider these questions for your council
- 1
How has your council involved people with disability in the design of public spaces to make sure they're safe?
- 2
How does your council make sure community facilities and evacuation centres can be accessed by people with disability?
- 3
Are people with disability and their representative organisations part of your community safety and local emergency management committees?
- 4
How were people with disability impacted in recent hazards or disasters that have affected your community? Were these impacts anticipated or unexpected?
- 5
How do your communication and recovery plans ensure accessibility and inclusion?
Related Resources
7 useful resources Toolkit
Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Framework and Toolkit A national framework that sets out how disaster preparedness, response and recovery can better include people with disability, based on lived experience and collaboration with emergency services. Collaborating4Inclusion
(opens in new window) Toolkit Disability Inclusive Emergency Management (DIEM) Toolkit A practical toolkit to help emergency planners include people with disability in preparedness, response and recovery through inclusive planning and actions. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
(opens in new window) Toolkit Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Resource Package A resource that supports people with disability to develop personalised emergency plans in partnership with services, carers and communities. Collaborating4Inclusion
(opens in new window) Case Studies
Preparing for emergencies in partnership with people with disability — Mackay, Queensland
Mackay Regional Council introduced Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction practices and Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) to make sure people with disability, and other high-risk groups such as seniors, have the capability and access to the resources they need to plan for their needs in emergencies.
Case Study
Local councils help communities prepare for and stay safe before, during and after disasters. Inclusive disaster planning helps make sure no one is left behind.
Mackay is a coastal city in Central Queensland. It sits near major river and floodplains. The area often faces floods and extreme weather. For people with disability living in Mackay, emergency planning is essential.
Barriers in everyday life can become dangerous in a disaster. When Cyclone Debbie hit in 2017, many of the usual supports were disrupted. Shelters, evacuation centres and emergency messages didn’t meet the needs of many people with disability in the community.
In response, Mackay Regional Council introduced Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction practices and Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP). This means making sure people with disability, and other high-risk groups, such as seniors, have the capability and access to the resources they need to plan for their needs in emergencies. It means focusing on preparing ‘with’ residents, not ‘for’ them. It recognises that people with disability have their own expertise and lived experience to bring to disaster preparedness planning.
P-CEP is a process co-designed with people with disability, carers, community organisations, emergency services and researchers. It helps people create emergency plans to their own strengths and needs.
P-CEP starts with conversation, not checklists, and helps people think about the support they need before, during and after an emergency.
The council promoted P-CEP across the community. It shared the P-CEP Workbook widely and encouraged people to create their own plans. They also provided screen reader friendly and fillable forms of the workbook to support access. The workbooks were in high demand. The Council had to order extra copies.
In 2020, the council brought people together through events, meetings, and information sessions for hands-on learning about emergency preparedness and to share ideas. They also started ‘P-CEP @ Libraries’. This pop-up service ran at the start of cyclone season. It helped reach people who are not linked to disability or aged care providers.
Mackay’s work shows how councils can lead inclusive disaster planning. By working alongside people with disability, councils can help communities feel safer, more confident and better prepared.
Learn more: Mackay Regional Council – P-CEP
Chapter
Planning for disability inclusion
This section guides you through the process of developing a disability action plan for your council.
A disability action plan helps translate a council’s commitments to disability inclusion into practical actions, timeframes and responsibilities. They often include local contexts and factors that might be specific to a local government area and incorporate locally led needs and solutions.
Many councils already have disability action plans. In some states and territories, it is a requirement.
Developing a disability action plan is a proactive way for councils to:
- make sure facilities, goods and services are accessible and inclusive to people with disability
- make sure you are complying with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
- demonstrate your commitment to go beyond compliance. This includes addressing attitudinal, physical, communication and social barriers for people with disability in the community.
Many councils already have disability action plans. In some states and territories, it is a
Action plans can be registered and submitted to the AHRC’s public register. This register helps councils and other organisations learn from each other. It also helps track progress towards disability inclusion planning in Australia.
Use our
What’s in a disability action plan might change depending on a council’s population size, location, needs and priorities. However, here are some common elements for the structure of a plan.
Checklist for disability action plans
- A message from the Mayor.
- An overview of council and the community.
- Vision for disability inclusion.
- Guiding principles.
- Policy and legislative context and how it links with other council plans.
- Achievements you have made in your last disability action plan.
- How the plan was developed, including the consultation and/or co-design process.
- Identification of barriers and opportunities.
- Outcome areas, strategies and actions.
- Implementation and governance.
- Monitoring, reporting and review.
- Case studies and examples – throughout your plan it’s a good idea to include examples, case studies or stories from the community. This helps people relate to the plan and see the practical actions council is taking.
Across Australia, many councils develop disability inclusion or access plans under a range of frameworks. Some plans are mandated through state or territory legislation or policy. Others are developed voluntarily to strengthen inclusion and meet obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
View a summary of
State and territory requirements can change. It is important to review the latest requirements for your state or territory. Information is available at the links provided in this section of the Guide. Contact the relevant department in your state or territory to find out more about the requirements that apply to your council.
This information is current as of April 2026.
Useful resources
Guide
NSW Disability Inclusion Action Planning Guidelines NSW Government guidelines supporting local councils and organisations to develop compliant and effective Disability Inclusion Action Plans under NSW legislation. NSW Government
(opens in new window) Guide Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) Guidelines for South Australian state authorities South Australian Government guidelines helping state authorities develop Disability Access and Inclusion Plans that meet legislative requirements and improve accessibility. South Australian Government
(opens in new window) Guide Adapting to Disability – Guide for Disability Action Plans A Victorian Government guide supporting organisations to develop practical Disability Action Plans that address barriers and improve inclusion for people with disability. Victorian Government
(opens in new window) Guide NSW DIAP Reporting Guidelines NSW Government reporting guidelines helping councils and organisations meet their obligations for reporting on Disability Inclusion Action Plan progress. NSW Government
(opens in new window) Template Adapting to Disability – Checklist for Disability Action Plans A Victorian Government checklist supporting organisations to assess and strengthen the quality and completeness of their Disability Action Plans. Victorian Government
(opens in new window) Template Developing a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Western Australian Government guidance helping public authorities develop Disability Access and Inclusion Plans that comply with state legislation and improve community access. Western Australian Government
(opens in new window) Guide DCJ – Disability Inclusion Action Planning Resources (NSW) Resources for NSW councils on disability inclusion action planning. Mentioned in the state/territory requirements table. NSW Government – Department of Communities and Justice
(opens in new window) This section outlines the common steps for developing and implementing an effective disability action plan. Not all of these steps may be relevant, depending on the size of your council. Some states and territories provide templates and guidance for you to develop your action plan. A summary of each step is provided below and you can get detailed information by clicking on the relevant headings.
Eight steps for developing a disability action plan
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Determine responsibility, governance and accountability. Allocating ownership of the plan and clear responsibilities. This includes decisions about how the plan will be developed with stakeholders and the community.
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Define clear goals and objectives. Know your local context, strategic priorities and what the council wants to achieve with inclusion planning.
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Plan for engagement. Develop an engagement plan for how you will involve people with disability, staff and the community in creating the plan. Define how each of these groups can get involved in reviewing and implementing the plan.
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Map and understand the operating environment, including through community engagement. Identify key barriers, touchpoints and opportunities for improving disability inclusion in the community. Do this with the input of community members with disability.
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Develop strategies, specific actions and policies. This includes ways to monitor and report on performance. This is often guided by an advisory group or internal council working groups.
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Draft, test and refine an accessible plan. Before finalising your plan, it’s important to get feedback through public consultation.
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Endorse, publish and operationalise the plan throughout council. Make sure council staff are aware of and trained in the principles and key aspects of your plan relevant to their role.
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Monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Make sure processes are in place to monitor and track the actions in your plan. Communicate progress and promote and celebrate successes.
As you develop your plan, keep in mind there may be specific
Steps to develop your plan
Council leadership should endorse development of the plan, with a champion in the executive to help lead the process.
Developing governance arrangements at the start of developing the plan encourages a whole-of-council approach. It means those responsible for implementation can engage in the planning process. It helps them to be clear about what is expected or how this might impact them.
Governance should include opportunities to involve people with disability and advisory committees from the start, to help shape the approach and priorities for the plan.
It’s also important to identify funding and resource requirements as early as possible in the planning process, including opportunities for state or federal government grant assistance.
Practical actions councils can take
- Review responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and identify any
for DAPs/DIAPs/DAIPs. - Appoint an executive sponsor to champion the planning process and inclusion across council.
- Identify a project lead or manager to lead the planning development process.
- Develop a cross-council working group, with a multidisciplinary team to drive consultation, planning, development and communications.
- Decide how you will involve the community and the level of engagement they will have in developing the plan. This might be determined based on resources, priorities and community need. During step 1, this might include:
- setting up a new (or using an existing) disability advisory committee to guide the process
- considering representation and diversity on the committee
- establishing a process to co-design the plan with the community and stakeholders, where this is appropriate
- informing the community that council is developing a plan and providing updates on progress and opportunities to be involved.
Be clear from the start about legislative or policy requirements, local context and expectations about what the plan should achieve. Consider how your disability action plan will integrate and align with other council plans, like corporate and operational plans.
Practical actions councils can take
- Review and map your council’s strategic framework and policies to show where the disability action plan sits and how it connects to and supports overarching council plans, work and outcomes. Make sure your plan links with other council planning cycles and priorities. Read more guidance about integrating your plan below.
- Consider how the plan will contribute to Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031. You may want to also consider how you will structure the plan, so it aligns with the outcome areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy and/or relevant
. - Consider progress and achievements against previous disability action plans, or other community plans with relevant actions for inclusion.
- Set a clear picture of what success looks like and how it will be monitored. Having this in place from the start can support accountability and keep actions on track.
Tips for aligning strategic documents
Here are some tips for making sure disability inclusion is aligned with and integrated in other plans and strategies that council operates.
- Map relevant documents that influence council decision makers (e.g. Strategic Plan, Community Engagement Strategy, Economic Development Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan, Workforce Strategy, Procurement Policies). Identify where inclusion-related commitments could or should appear.
- Review existing commitments and identify alignment opportunities (where disability inclusion principles can strengthen existing objectives and where there are gaps).
- Establish cross-department governance through a reference group or steering committee.
- Embed inclusion actions into work programs (assign actions to relevant teams). This can be done by transferring actions into existing planning and reporting frameworks.
- When strategic documents are scheduled for review, integrate disability inclusion principles and commitments into them.
- Align monitoring and reporting measures (use consistent indicators across business units, report on inclusion progress in annual reports, internal dashboards and community updates).
- Develop a timeline for the key milestones of the disability inclusion plan, including key events and forums, when actions are expected to be delivered and reporting milestones, so all areas of council can look for opportunities that align with the plan.
Why is this important?
Integrating your disability action planning within existing planning cycles allows councils to achieve efficiencies and encourage a whole-of-council approach. It means:
- disability inclusion will not be siloed in one team
- all business units can build capacity in disability inclusion
- disability inclusion initiatives will be embedded into core planning, budgeting and reporting cycles
- councils can avoid duplication or contradictions across strategies
- councils can streamline resources and budget where possible
- inclusion becomes a strategic priority, rather than a separate add on
A good engagement strategy identifies opportunities for ongoing consultation,
Community engagement can take time to do well. It may also require additional resourcing which should be built into the budget when developing the plan. Several useful resources are available to help councils plan and deliver inclusive consultations and engagement for your disability action plan.
The engagement strategy should also consider future engagement. This includes how people with disability, other members of the community and staff might continue to be involved in monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the action plan.
Practical actions councils can take
- Develop an engagement strategy for internal staff (including an emphasis on including staff with disability) and the external community.
- Identify the different audience segments you want to engage and the different ways they might be involved.
- Make sure the strategy empowers the participation of the diverse range of people with disability in your community and supports them to engage safely and meaningfully.
- Make sure the strategy considers audience groups who are often underrepresented in council processes.
- Include specific, culturally appropriate engagement processes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.
- Include a communications plan to promote the engagement opportunities in the community. Consider different channels and formats for accessibility and reach.
- Develop a range of
to involve people with disability and local disability organisations in developing the plan. This might include surveys, workshops, small group conversations or one-on-one discussions. If you have an advisory committee, consult them when developing the strategy for advice on different methods of engagement. - Include engagement activities for council staff to understand how the plan will impact and work in their area.
- Review case studies to find out how other councils engaged communities in the development of their plans.
Useful resources
Guide
Good Practice Guidelines for Engaging with People with Disability A national guide outlining principles and practical steps for inclusive engagement with people with disability. Australian Government – Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Toolkit Toolkit for engaging with people with disability in evaluation A toolkit supporting inclusive and accessible engagement with people with disability in evaluation activities. Australian Government – Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Understanding the operating environment is an important step before developing the plan. It supports a whole-of-council approach and will help identify:
- existing disability inclusion initiatives and practices in council
- barriers preventing people with disability from engaging in services or community life within council’s responsibilities
- service providers and community organisations in the local disability space
- opportunities to improve inclusion across council operations.
Councils should include a profile of community living within the council area, as well as how people with disability outside the council area can access council services (such as tourism or recreational facilities).
Practical actions councils can take
- Map the strategic and operating environment to identify key touchpoints within service areas’ operations of facilities, services and programs (including contracted operations).
- Identify typical service user pathways and existing data, including access audits, previous engagement findings, complaints and demographic data.
- With input from community members with disability, identify local needs, key barriers and opportunities or ideas for improvements.
- Identify clear focus areas that reflect community feedback and lived experience.
Aligning community, council and inclusion priorities (NSW)
Several NSW councils use their Community Strategic Plan as the ‘parent plan’ for the DIAP. When updating the plan every four years, officers map each DIAP action to the relevant outcome area in the Community Strategic Plan (such as ‘inclusive communities’ or ‘liveable places’).
This supports mandatory annual reporting under the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014 and ensures elected members can clearly see the DIAP’s contribution to broader council goals.
Source: NSW Government, Disability Inclusion Action Planning Guidelines (2023)
A disability action plan should include specific disability inclusion initiatives and actions. These should align with the goals and objectives identified during step 2.
These should also reflect engagement with the community and the mapping from step 4.
As a guide, the table of actions and strategies in the public version of a plan might include:
- a clear description of the action
- the goal
- who it is for (e.g. the target population or audience)
- expected outcome or objective
- a timeframe
- responsibility for action.
Practical actions councils can take
- Identify strategies and actions in the plan. Make sure actions are realistic for the size and resources of the council. Councils might undertake an analysis of actions using methods and tools like an ‘Effort-Impact Matrix’ to help prioritise actions.
- Develop an operational and monitoring plan to support each major action that explains:
- resources required for implementation, including who in council will lead it, key external partnerships and suppliers
- how to phase in key works across existing plans, such as asset renewal and maintenance plans
- possible risks or challenges in implementation and mitigation strategies
- reporting requirements, as set out in your plan and aligned to any state requirements.
- A separate evaluation plan or framework may be produced to guide monitoring, evaluation and review of the plan in future years (refer Step 8).
Once strategies and actions are developed and supported by the internal project team and governance structure, councils can draft the plan. The draft plan should be put into a clear, accessible document for people to read, understand and respond to.
You can use the
As well as drafting the plan in this phase, it is important to give stakeholders and the community an opportunity to provide feedback.
Practical actions councils can take
- Collate all relevant information and create an easy-to-read document (or HTML version) with a clear structure.
- Prepare the draft in
. - Test the draft with people with disability, advisory committees, disability organisations and staff. Some things you could ask about include:
- is the plan clear, easy to understand and accessible
- is there anything missing
- what should be changed
- can we achieve the proposed actions? (Feasibility).
- Offer different ways for people to give feedback (e.g. surveys, in-person or online forums, digital tools).
- Refine actions based on feedback. Ensure responsibilities, timeframes and measures are realistic.
- Clearly communicate how feedback has influenced changes to the plan and the next steps.
When the plan is ready for publishing, promote it throughout council and in the wider community. It is important this process is led by leadership, disability champions, and a thorough governance process like a working group, if available (refer Step 1).
Practical actions councils can take
- Confirm endorsement and approval at all levels of council.
- Publish the plan in
and make it publicly available on websites. Make sure the plan or a summary of it is in plain English. You should consider translations, if possible, like an Auslan and Easy Read version. - Ensure the plan is integrated into business planning and prioritisation.
- Distribute and promote the plan internally and externally in a range of ways, including:
- hold an event to celebrate the launch of the plan
- make it prominent and easy to find on council and other community websites
- share in newsletters and social media
- integrate the plan into induction processes for council and include short information sessions for all council staff once the plan is launched
- include disability inclusion KPIs in council performance plans.
Awards and recognition to help celebrate inclusion actions
One way that councils can promote disability inclusion actions in the plan is by establishing awards that recognise progress towards accessibility and inclusion targets or achievements. This is an effective way of promoting the plan as well as sharing good examples that make a difference for inclusion in the community.
Awards could be held during International Day of People with Disability or other important dates.
Recognising progress towards council’s inclusion goals should also be done along the way, not only at the end of the project. Sharing updates on progress and recognising those involved, both within and outside of council, is important to continue to show support for inclusion actions.
Evaluation is essential to show progress and accountability of local government towards improving the inclusion of people with disability in its services and community life.
A monitoring, evaluation or reporting framework should be developed to complement the disability action plan. This will help track progress, keep the plan relevant and support continuous improvement.
Check requirements for monitoring and reporting
In some states and territories, reporting on progress is a legislative requirement. It may be supported by specific evaluation frameworks. Make sure you are aware of state and territory reporting requirements outlined in this section.
Practical actions councils can take
Tracking progress with clear indicators and measures
- Set up ways to track the indicators for each goal/objective of the plan (established in Step 5). These should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) indicators to track progress over time. Each strategy, action or initiative should have a way of recording data so monitoring and reporting is effective.
- Start tracking your progress and monitoring the plan. Where possible, design measures that can be tracked using existing systems to reduce reporting burden, especially in smaller councils. Tracking progress may include recording things like:
- activity indicators (e.g. number of accessible events delivered)
- experience-based indicators (e.g. community feedback on accessibility)
- inclusion indicators (e.g. proportion of procurement decisions assessed using accessible procurement criteria).
- Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative data as methods of measurement to understand how effective the plan has been. For example:
- surveys, interviews or feedback sessions with people with disability, families and carers or other stakeholders
- direct input from disability advisory committees
- ways for staff to share progress towards their actions and give feedback on whether actions are having an impact
- observations and audits (e.g. accessibility of facilities, digital content checks)
- workforce and procurement data
- storytelling and case studies, with community members able to share where things have improved or still need work.
Involving people with disability in monitoring and evaluation
People with disability should be involved in designing how the disability action plan will be monitored. This might be through roles on an advisory committee or being asked to give feedback through methods like surveys or sharing of stories on a regular basis.
Ongoing community feedback allows councils to identify where they might need to focus future efforts. It also helps councils to monitor whether the plan is making an active difference in improving inclusion across services and infrastructure.
Monitoring and reporting
- Create a simple internal cycle for monitoring and reporting. It could include:
- quarterly check-ins at leadership levels
- annual progress updates
- midterm reviews to confirm whether actions remain relevant or need adjusting
- reporting progress through existing council reporting processes and sharing this progress through community updates.
- Prepare clear, accessible public reporting. An annual public report of progress against the plan helps foster trust and aligns with a rights-based approach. It is important this includes:
- a summary of progress against each action and outcome
- lived experience insights from ongoing engagement about how the plan is progressing and the impact it has
- the focus for the next 12 months, or what will be improved next.
Update the plan when it's needed
Monitoring should also include deciding when updates might need to be made to the disability action plan. For example, when there are legislative changes (like updates to the Disability Discrimination Act), or when the needs of the community change.
Councils should also aim to make continuous improvements to the plan, which may include:
- updating or refining actions as circumstances change or new challenges emerge
- adding new actions emerging from community feedback
- remaking or refreshing the plan in line with any state or territory requirements
- re-prioritise actions if major reforms occur (e.g. state plan updates or Foundational Supports implementation).
Reporting requirements
Some states and territories have specific reporting requirements.
- NSW: NSW Government requires reporting annually under the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014.
- SA: SA Government requires reporting annually using an outcomes framework under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018.
- VIC: VIC Government requires councils to report annually on implementation of their Disability Action Plans under the Disability Act 2006.
- WA: WA Government requires councils to report annually on their Disability Access and Inclusion Plans under the Disability Services Act 1993.
- TAS: TAS Government does not mandate Disability Inclusion Action Plan reporting for their councils.
- QLD: QLD Government does not have a legislated requirement for their council Disability Inclusion Action Plans or reporting.
- NT: NT Government does not require their councils to formally report on Disability Inclusion Action Plans.
Useful resources
Resource
Office of Impact Analysis: Resources and Guidance Collection of policy impact analysis resources, including the Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis, templates, and other related guidance. The Office of Impact Analysis (Australian Government DPMC)
(opens in new window) Resource People with disability in Australia 2024 - Report The report uses the AIHW’s ‘Person centred reporting framework’ to present information about experiences and outcomes for people with disability across various aspects of life. Report on Australian Disability outcomes framework. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
(opens in new window) The following examples show how different councils across Australia have developed disability action plans. They include metropolitan, regional and remote councils, and illustrate a range of approaches to disability inclusion planning.
These examples are provided as a starting point — each council’s plan will reflect its own community, priorities and legislative requirements.
Example disability action plan - City of Sydney, New South Wales
How the City of Sydney developed its Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan 2025-2029 through advisory panels, community engagement and co-design, supported by a governance framework that embeds accountability and lived experience.
Case Study
The City of Sydney covers more than 26 square kilometres of central Sydney and surrounds. This includes major landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, institutions like the University of Sydney and busy residential suburbs. The city centre has heritage buildings and narrow streets, and runs public transport on road, rail and water.
Big public events draw large crowds throughout the year. All this means achieving genuine accessibility and inclusion for the City of Sydney’s communities requires careful, wide-ranging planning.
And genuine inclusion means involving people with disability from the start.
To help with this planning and ensure community voices guide decisions, the City of Sydney supports a range of advisory panels and committees. These groups work within a clear governance framework, guided by the community engagement strategy and community participation plan 2025–2029 and other Council-endorsed policies.
One group is the Inclusion (Disability) Advisory Panel. It played a key role in developing the inclusion (disability) action plan 2025–2029. Developing the plan included consulting people with disability and the broader community, as well as targeted focus groups for accessible participation and cultural safety, ensuring everyone felt comfortable contributing.
The City of Sydney developed the action plan in 2 stages in just under one year. Stage 1 focused on early conversations and co-design. More than 350 people took part. It involved disability-led surveys, focus groups and a co-design roundtable with:
- people with disability
- families and carers
- disability organisations and disability peak bodies
- the City of Sydney’s Inclusive City disability employee network
- the advisory panel.
Stage 2 called for public comment on the draft plan. Easy Read and Auslan video versions were available. Feedback was invited online, over the phone and by post.
The action plan is supported by a comprehensive 4-year roadmap detailing goals, responsible staff and performance measures embedded into the City of Sydney’s corporate reporting. Governance of the action plan includes an executive sponsor as champion and a strategy manager that coordinates 6-monthly check-ins, reporting and consulting the advisory panel.
By having a clear strategy, shaped by community, the City of Sydney can plan for future needs and review progress. This approach shows how councils can combine strong governance with lived experience insights to create inclusive, place-based policy.
Learn more and read the inclusion (disability) action plan on the City of Sydney website.
Example disability action plan - City of Casey, Victoria
How one of Australia's fastest growing municipalities is taking a whole-of-council approach to disability inclusion with 72 actions across five outcome areas.
Case Study
The City of Casey Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2029 sets out how the council will improve accessibility and inclusion across services, facilities, communication and employment in one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities.
The City of Casey is a large outer-metropolitan council area in Melbourne’s south-east. The municipality has around 400,000 residents and is rapidly growing. Around 18,994 residents (4.7%) in the City of Casey require assistance with daily living due to disability, while disability may affect up to 20% of the population.
About the Plan
The City of Casey Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2025-2029 takes a whole-of-council approach to disability inclusion. It includes 72 actions across five outcome areas:
- Council services and leadership
- Communication services and engagement
- Education, employment and businesses
- Health, recreation and public spaces
- Inclusion, safety and fairness
The plan was developed over six months through extensive community engagement. This included co-designing the plan with the Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Group (DAIAG).
The DIAP is supported by an implementation plan and ongoing monitoring to track progress.
Example disability action plan - Cairns Regional Council, Queensland
Practical, place-based actions to improve accessibility and inclusion in a regional setting, recognising Cairns' role as a major tourism destination.
Case Study
The Cairns Regional Council Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2024-2026 sets out practical, place-based actions to improve accessibility and inclusion in a regional setting.
Cairns Regional Council covers a large regional area in Far North Queensland, with a population of around 172,000 people, including around 28,000 residents with disability. With access to the Great Barrier Reef, it is also a major tourism destination attracting large numbers of visitors each year.
About the Plan
The Cairns Regional Council DAIP 2024-2026 includes actions to improve:
- accessible council facilities and services
- accessible communication and information
- inclusive community engagement
- participation opportunities for people with disability.
The plan recognises Cairns’ role as a regional tourism destination and the need to address distance, service availability and infrastructure challenges common in regional areas.
The plan was developed through engagement with people with lived experience of disability, local service providers, accessible tourism stakeholders and the community.
A working group meets quarterly to review progress and support implementation.
Example disability action plan - Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, Western Australia
Actions to improve accessibility and inclusion across one of Australia's largest and most remote local government areas, with 10 small predominantly First Nations communities.
Case Study
The Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-2028 sets out actions to improve accessibility and inclusion across the remote local government area.
The Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku is one of Australia’s largest local government areas, covering around 160,000 km² in Western Australia. It includes 10 small communities on land managed by the council on behalf of the traditional owners.
The population is around 1,358 people, predominantly First Nations residents. A 2018 survey estimated around one-third of residents may be impacted by disability.
About the Plan
The Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-2028 focuses on improving access to services and opportunities across remote communities. The plan aims to ensure people with disability can:
- access services, buildings, facilities and public spaces
- participate in community events
- receive information in accessible formats
- receive the same level of service as other residents
- provide feedback and participate in consultation
- obtain and maintain employment in the Shire.
The plan was developed through public consultation on a draft plan, with written and verbal feedback used to refine the final plan.
Related Resources
22 useful resources Guide
Disability Action Plan Guide (2021) The Australian Human Rights Commission's practical guide helping organisations develop effective disability action plans. Australian Human Rights Commission
(opens in new window) Template Creating Access – Accessibility Action Plan Template A template from People with Disability Australia and Youth Action supporting organisations to create accessible and actionable accessibility action plans. People with Disability Australia & Youth Action
(opens in new window) Guide NSW Disability Inclusion Action Planning Guidelines NSW Government guidelines supporting local councils and organisations to develop compliant and effective Disability Inclusion Action Plans under NSW legislation. NSW Government
(opens in new window) Chapter
Case studies and resources
Case studies, templates, resources and funding opportunities to support disability inclusion in practice.
This section focuses on how councils can put disability inclusion into practice.
It includes case studies of disability inclusion actions and initiatives, from different contexts around Australia. This section also features practical templates, checklists and resources that build on the information provided throughout the Guide.
This section supports councils to take action in their local context through learning from the activities and successes of other councils.
Case Studies 12
Resources 207
Templates 20
Funding 21
Disability at Dusk – Casey, Victoria
Disability at Dusk is a joint initiative by City of Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong Councils to create a truly inclusive and accessible event for people with disability.
Engagement
Empower Ryde employment program — Ryde, New South Wales
Empower Ryde, initiated by City of Ryde's Economic Development team, provides peer-led employment and skills development to support people with disability to build confidence, develop practical job skills and connect with community.
Employment
Example disability action plan - City of Sydney, New South Wales
How the City of Sydney developed its Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan 2025-2029 through advisory panels, community engagement and co-design, supported by a governance framework that embeds accountability and lived experience.
Planning
Accessible changing places — Greater Geelong, Victoria
The City of Greater Geelong has installed multiple Changing Places facilities and operates 'Marveloo', a portable fully accessible change facility that can be taken to events and community sites across the municipality.
Infrastructure
Inclusive Brisbane Plan - Intersectional Approach
Brisbane City Council's Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 demonstrates an intersectional approach to disability inclusion, recognising that people have different experiences based on multiple parts of their identity.
Principles
Preparing for emergencies in partnership with people with disability — Mackay, Queensland
Mackay Regional Council introduced Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction practices and Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) to make sure people with disability, and other high-risk groups such as seniors, have the capability and access to the resources they need to plan for their needs in emergencies.
Emergency
Accessible playground — Melville, Western Australia
The City of Melville's Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park demonstrates how community engagement, partnerships and co-design can place accessibility at the heart of inclusive play spaces.
Infrastructure
Example disability action plan - Cairns Regional Council, Queensland
Practical, place-based actions to improve accessibility and inclusion in a regional setting, recognising Cairns' role as a major tourism destination.
Planning
Example disability action plan - Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, Western Australia
Actions to improve accessibility and inclusion across one of Australia's largest and most remote local government areas, with 10 small predominantly First Nations communities.
Planning
Example disability action plan - City of Casey, Victoria
How one of Australia's fastest growing municipalities is taking a whole-of-council approach to disability inclusion with 72 actions across five outcome areas.
Planning
Northern Rivers Rail Trail — Tweed Shire, New South Wales
A multi-council inclusive trail in regional NSW, designed for mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive access, with smooth surfaces, accessible toilets, a social script and assistance-animal-friendly paths.
Infrastructure
City of Sydney: Strategic planning
To make sure community voices genuinely inform decisions, the City of Sydney supports a range of advisory panels and committees within a clear governance framework.
Leadership
Chapter
Disability legislation and policy
Understanding legal obligations and policy frameworks helps councils develop plans that meet requirements and reflect contemporary expectations of inclusion.
Disability legislation and policies exist at the Commonwealth and state/territory levels of government.
Local government legislation also plays a role in supporting accessibility and inclusion.
Some laws, frameworks and policies are reviewed on a regular basis. This means they may change, or new advice might be developed to help local governments and other organisations deliver best practice disability inclusion.
This section provides information and links to relevant types of legislation. It’s important to always look for the latest advice and updates.
There are several reasons why it’s important for councils to consider their legislative context, including:
- Clear legal obligations: Councils must comply with national and state legislation governing accessibility, discrimination and inclusion.
- Regulatory responsibilities: Councils have regulatory responsibilities in applying the Premises Standards and supporting accessible public transport infrastructure.
- Future focused planning: Councils need to maintain flexibility amid national reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and Disability Standards, and changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other policies, ensuring ongoing review and adaptation. Councils may also have responsibilities under relevant state or territory legislation or policy, including requirements for developing and reporting on DAPs.
Information current as of April 2026
Australia’s disability policy environment has changed significantly over the past decade, driven by the roll-out and evolution of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and major updates to the national policy of Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS). This has been accompanied by various state and territory disability legislation and policies, often carrying new requirements and guidelines for local governments to follow. Further reforms to antidiscrimination laws are underway. More significant policy changes at national and jurisdictional levels are proposed in the coming years.
These changes represent meaningful progress, creating a stronger foundation for accessible, inclusive communities across Australia. Councils now operate within a clearer, more interconnected, and faster-moving system than what existed in 2016 – when the previous ALGA guide to inclusion planning was developed.
Understanding this context helps councils develop disability action plans that:
- meet legal obligations
- reflect contemporary expectations of inclusion
- help support more accessible and equitable communities.
Given changing legislative and policy environments, local governments also need to plan for flexibility. This means recognising requirements, expectations and definitions of good practice may continue to shift as reforms roll out.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)
Australia ratified the UN CRPD in 2008. This committed all levels of government to uphold the rights, dignity and equality of people with disability. Australia reports regularly on progress. The UN Committee has emphasised that governments must continue improving how rights are embedded into domestic law and practice.
For councils, the UN CRPD establishes a rights-based foundation where:
- community participation is an entitlement
- equal access to public life, spaces, information and services must be actively supported
- people with disability should be central in decisions affecting them.
These principles underpin all subsequent Australian legislation, policy and standards.
Linking with the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) heavily overlap with the Articles of the UN CRPD. The Sustainable Development Goals are designed to fit within the UN’s global development agenda and existing and ongoing commitments like the CRPD.
There are 13 SDGs that directly link to CRPD articles. They have specific references to disability in relation to quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
Councils should pay particular attention to goal 11, which includes providing access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, and to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems. Councils can also contribute to goal 17 through the collection and monitoring of data on the implementation of the goals. (See the UN’s summary of SDGs and Disability for more detail.)
National policy: Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (2024 update)
Australia’s Disability Strategy provides the national framework to improve outcomes for people with disability across 7 outcome areas:
- Employment and financial security: Providing jobs and career opportunities for people with disability and making sure they have enough income to meet their needs.
- Inclusive homes and communities: Increasing the number of accessible, affordable and well-designed homes and creating a community that is inclusive and accessible.
- Safety, rights and justice: Ensuring the rights of people with disability are promoted, upheld and protected, and people with disability feel safe and enjoy equality before the law.
- Personal and community support: Providing people with disability access to supports so they can live independently and engage in their communities.
- Education and learning: Supporting people with disability to access education and learning throughout their lives so they reach their full potential.
- Health and wellbeing: Increasing support and capability in the healthcare sector to meet the needs of people with disability and ensuring disaster preparedness and emergency responses include the needs of people with disability.
- Community attitudes: Recognising the positive contribution people with disability make to society and building confidence in the community to work and engage with people with disability.
All Australian governments, including local government through ALGA, are signatories to the strategy.
The 2024 update introduced new Targeted Action Plans, which strengthened accountability and aligned work with findings from the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review.
For councils, the Strategy reinforces that:
- disability inclusion is a shared responsibility across government
- mainstream systems, including local government services, must be inclusive by design
- monitoring and reporting are increasingly important.
Australia’s Disability Strategy includes an outcomes framework. This framework is an important reference to help councils link the actions and measures in their disability action plan with the national strategy.
National legislation: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)
The DDA is the primary national anti-discrimination law protecting people with disability. It makes it unlawful to discriminate in areas relevant to local government, including:
- access to premises
- provision of services
- public spaces
- employment
- administration of programs.
Councils must take reasonable steps to avoid discrimination and provide reasonable adjustments in line with these laws.
A major Review of the DDA is currently underway (2025), considering improvements including a positive duty to proactively eliminate discrimination – an important development for future council planning.
Disability Standards under the DDA
The DDA is supported by legally enforceable Standards that clarify obligations for service providers, public authorities and infrastructure owners.
1. Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards)
These Standards apply to public transport services, infrastructure and information, including services and infrastructure used every day by local residents such as:
- bus stops
- interchange facilities
- pathways leading to stops
- signage
- access information.
The Standards were reviewed in 2022, with updates emphasising whole of journey planning, accessible information, and alignment with modern accessibility expectations. The updates from this review make it increasingly important for councils to consider how local footpaths, kerbs, shelters and signage, support compliant and safe access.
2. Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards)
The Premises Standards align with the National Construction Code and set minimum accessibility requirements for new buildings and major upgrades. While councils have more responsibility in regulating building approvals rather than construction itself, councils must ensure:
- their own public buildings meet the Standards
- their statutory planning and certification functions apply the current requirements
- approaches to public places and facilities are accessible.
A major update commenced on 29 July 2025, reflecting the 2021 review and updated Australian Standards, including AS 1428.1–2021.
This is one of the most directly relevant regulatory frameworks for local government.
Did you know?
Under the Premises Standards, any new public building or building upgrade that requires a building approval must meet minimum accessibility requirements, including access to and within the building, sanitary facilities, and signage. These requirements apply to councils both as building owners and regulators.
3. Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Education Standards)
These Standards set out rights and obligations for students with disability in educational settings. The 2025 review of the Disability Standards for Education includes proposals to extend obligations to early childhood education and care (ECEC). This may be relevant to councils that operate or support childcare, community kindergartens or early years programs, where future compliance requirements may expand.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Act 2013)
The NDIS Act establishes the system of supports under the NDIS, the NDIA and the rules for individual supports. Amendments in recent years have strengthened safeguarding and clarified definitions of supports. There is an ongoing process of aligning the legislation with recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review.
A major reform underway (as of April 2026) is the introduction of Foundational Supports. These are intended as disability-related supports, available outside the NDIS, that may be delivered locally. Details are emerging but councils may interact with these supports through:
- community programs
- local partnerships
- facilities
- libraries
- recreation environments
- neighbourhood-level initiatives.
States and territories often have their own disability and/or inclusion/anti-discrimination/equal opportunity legislation (see
While legislative requirements differ, at a minimum, most jurisdictions have expectations for local government to have:
- accessible and inclusive services
- anti-discrimination and/or equal opportunity
- development and reporting of Disability Plans (required or encouraged)
- meaningful engagement with people with disability.
Legislative frameworks may shape what councils must include in their disability action plans, how they engage with communities, and how they monitor and report on progress. Councils should check their jurisdiction’s current requirements, as several state disability strategies and plans are in renewal cycles.
Related Resources
3 useful resources Framework
Outcomes Framework The Outcomes Framework measures, tracks and reports on the outcomes in Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031. The outcomes are what we want for a more inclusive Australia. The framework tracks the changes in outcomes happening over time for people with disability. Australian Government – Disability Gateway
(opens in new window) Resource National Urban Policy Australia's National Urban Policy providing a framework for creating cities and towns that are sustainable, liveable, and inclusive for all residents. Australian Government
(opens in new window) Collection Guides and toolkits Practical guides and actionable tools relating to the Human Rights Act 2019 and Anti-Discrimination Act 2009. Queensland Human Rights Commission
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About the Guide
Background, development process, and key terms used in this guide.
The Guide is for local governments. It aims to help councils and council staff improve disability inclusion across all aspects of their services, infrastructure, facilities and community programs.
The development of the Guide is an action under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031. This is Australia’s national disability policy framework and ALGA is a signatory to the Strategy.
The Guide is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
It replaces the previous Disability Inclusion Planning – A Guide for Local Government developed in 2016. It responds to the changes that have happened over the last 10 years, with new areas of guidance focused on the key areas of:
- leadership and decision-making
- inclusive employment and procurement
- engagement and communications
- accessible infrastructure and services
- community safety and emergency management.
How we developed the Guide
The Guide was developed by ALGA in partnership with The Social Deck, who specialise in inclusive communication and engagement and are experienced working with local government and the disability sector.
It was developed following a desktop review, stakeholder engagement and user testing.
ALGA and The Social Deck would like to acknowledge the contribution of stakeholders who provided input during the development of the Guide, including:
- members of the Local Government Disability Inclusion Community of Practice (representing 35 councils)
- key disability peak bodies and organisations
- local government
- State and Territory Local Government Associations
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- Centre of Excellence for Inclusive Employment
- Subject Matter Expert – Dr Lisa Stafford, inclusive community planning expert
- state and territory government departments
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
The unique perspectives and experiences shared by our stakeholders were invaluable in shaping meaningful, well-informed guidance. Their engagement ensures that the Guide reflects diverse understandings of inclusion and addresses real-world challenges in a practical and balanced way.
Language and key terms
ALGA acknowledges that people use and prefer different words to describe disability.
In this Guide we use person-first language when referring to people with disability. This is consistent with Australia’s Disability Strategy.
However, we use identity-first language when referring to autism. This means we use autistic person or autistic people. This is consistent with the National Autism Strategy.
A lot of terms are used in this Guide to talk about the different parts of disability inclusion. You can refer to the