Creating Accessible Teaching and Support

A DDA Action Plan is a strategy for changing those practices which might result in discrimination (intentional or unintentional) against people with disabilities. An Action Plan will help your institution to identify these practices and offer a blue-print for change.

Action Plans can drive the systemic change which is required to eliminate discrimination and may reduce the risks complaints made under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).  An Action Plan will also contribute to providing high quality educational services to the 20% of the community that have disability.

Action Plans are lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission and they have now been developed by most education and training institutions.

Action Plans must include the following (listed in section 61 of the DDA):      

• a review of current activities
• list of new policies and programs
• outline of goals and targets
• strategies for evaluation
• an allocation of responsibility.

There are sample plans on the Australian Human Rights Commission website which can act as a guide.  The Universities Australia Guidelines provide a very useful framework for an audit of current performance.

But remember that the process of developing the Plan is as important as the Plan itself.  Consultation with stakeholders will facilitate identification of issues for people with disability but also allow other staff and students to voice their views and concerns.  This allows you to build ownership of the Plan which is essential for its implementation.

Strategies to consider include:

• Nominate a champion - a manager responsible for disability access and promote the services of this person.
• Commission an access audit to identify existing access issues.
• Develop a university architectural brief which provides clear guidance for architects involved in construction within the University.
• Prioritise improvements to be made to access with staged implementation  based on clear criteria with realistic timelines.
• Allocate resources to support the plan and monitor implementation of the plan.
• Review progress annually as university/student/staff needs change. 
• Actively seek feedback from people who have a disability and integrate this feedback into the physical planning process.
• Where necessary, seek external expert advice on access standards and related issues.