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Access and inclusion

Key points

We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and accessible community, as outlined in our Disability, Access and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan. 

We support inclusion in Cardinia Shire

Local government has a critical role in encouraging and supporting active participation in community life, and ensuring that its services are accessible, equitable and inclusive to all residents, including: 

  • people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including and not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
  • those identifying as LGBTIQ+
  • people of faith
  • people of all ages, genders and abilities. 

Our inclusivity statement

Cardinia Shire Council encourages a sense of belonging within our shire. We support an inclusive community comprised of people from diverse backgrounds, including and not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, those identifying as LGBTIQ+, people of faith, and people of all ages, genders and abilities.

Cardinia Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee

Cardinia Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (CAIAC) is committed to making Cardinia Shire welcoming, accessible and inclusive to all.

Purpose

The Access and Inclusion Committee are representatives of the disability community, disability sector and Cardinia Shire Councillors.

  • We monitor and review access and inclusion policy and Council's disability action plan
  • We provide information to Council on issues impacting upon people with disability that prevent inclusion in the community
  • We have input and participation in strategic planning
  • We are represented on Council Community Advisory Committee’s for local projects
  • We liaise with Cardinia Shire Council on Council related matters

Meetings

The meetings are open to the public.

Third Wednesday of alternal months, from February
10am–12noon
 
Meetings are on Skype, please contact the officer below for detatils.
 

More information

For more information or to register your interest contact our access and inclusion - disability officer on 1300 787 624 or  mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Access keys

Council is improving the accessibility of 3 of its premier facilities with access keys. 

An access key is an accessibility guide on a facility, event or location for people with a disability. 

Access keys help you to:

  • know what to expect before you go to a place or event, so you can plan and prepare 
  • determine whether the location or event is suitable to visit
  • feel less worried about visiting new places
  • have a better, easier and more enjoyable experience  
  • be more independent. 

Access keys have information on topics including: 

  • venue suitability
  • accessible features including toilets
  • venue layout
  • parking
  • distances from carpark to door
  • ease of movement 
  • sensory elements. 

This infromation can help you and your support people feel more confident, safe, independent and included.

Coming soon

Access keys will be available in 2021 for:

  • Pakenham Library
  • Cardinia Cultural Centre
  • Deep Creek Reserve in Pakenham, for these facilities: 
    • eco play
    • all abilities play space
    • eco centre
    • golf club
    • indigenous plant nursery

Free disability awareness training for staff and volunteers

Staff and volunteers at organisations striving to be more inclusive can access free online disability awareness training. The 'You Me Us' portal is a local government initiative.

The training focuses on topics including:

  • attitudes
  • language
  • communication
  • access.  

Participants can watch videos, complete quizzes and receive a certificate of completion. It's a great tool for your induction or orientation program, or to promote that you're a disability-aware business, service or organisation.

There are 3 programs tailored to the needs of leisure centres, community centres and Council staff, although anyone who is interested and keen to learn can access them, as well as videos and resources to help businesses create a more accessible and welcoming environment for customers. 

You Me Us online inclusion training

Power Up

If you use electronic mobility chair or scooter, you can recharge them at our community Power Up sites. The Power Up Program is a Cardinia Shire initiative where power outlets located in the community are allocated to users of electronic mobility chairs or scooters for recharging.  
The benefits of the program are: 
  • Increased accessibility  
  • Increased safety 
  • An inclusive community
  • Increased community disability awareness 
  • More customers 

Cardinia Shire Power Up locations: 

  • Civic Centre – Officer 
  • Cardinia Life – Pakenham 
  • Cockatoo Senior Citizens 
  • Emerald Evergreen Senior Citizens 
  • Gembrook Community Centre 
  • Kooweerup Community Centre 
  • Kooweerup Regional Health Service 
  • Lang Lang Senior Citizens 
  • Outlook Vic  
  • Pakenham Hall/Library Complex 
  • Pakenham Senior Citizens 
  • Toomah Community Centre 
  • Toomuc Recreation Reserve Pavilion  

How to apply for a sign: 

If you would like a Power Up sign at your business, you will need to: 
  • Provide an accessible, designated power point  
  • Clear access to the power point 
  • Have a Residual Current Device (RCD) installed or mounted on the electrical switchboard of their premises 
  • Have public liability insurance coverage of a minimum of $20 million  

Then contact us: 

Telephone:  1300 787 624 

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Cardinia Shire

What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?

The NDIS is being introduced gradually in all Australian states and territories. The NDIS is an insurance model designed to help people get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time. The NDIS provides Australians aged under 65, who have permanent and significant disability with funding for assistance or products that help them in their daily life and help them to participate in the community. Cardinia Shire entered the NDIS in September 2018.
 
The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children (0-6 years) with developmental delay.
Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong loacal government areas form the Southern Melbourne NDIS area.

Local Area Coordinators (LAC)

Local area coordinators work with the NDIS to:
  • help you understand and access the NDIS
  • help you to find and start receiving the services in your NDIS plan
  • help you to make changes to your plan through a plan review
Our LAC Latrobe Community Health Service, for more information you can:

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)

ECEI is an approach to provide parents / primary caregivers of young children (0-6 years) who have developmental delay or disabilities timely access to best-practice early childhood supports, experiences and opportunities.

ECEI work with you to:
  • help you find supports in your area
  • provide some short-term early intervention
  • help you to request NDIS access if your child requires longer-term early childhood intervention supports.
Our ECEI provider is Link Health and Community, for more information you can:

Am I eligible to access the NDIS?

Find out on the NDIS webpage 

More information

Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or go to the NDIS website

Accessible buildings and facilities

We follow our Access Design Guidelines to ensure new buildings and facilities are accessible for everyone in our community.

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