By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has set out its plan for the coming three years in terms of supporting disabled members of the community.
At its meeting on Tuesday, April 18, councillors passed a motion to endorse the 2022-2026 Disability Action Plan and note council staff would report on the implementation of the plan annually.
The plan aimed to address and remove the physical, communication, social and attitudinal barriers faced by people with disability across 23 outlined actions.
The plan also indicated proactive engagement actions to connect people with disability with carers and service providers.
Maribyrnong Disability Advisory Committee chair and councillor Michael Clarke said the plan intended to allow everyone to access vocation, leisure and recreation opportunities.
“We are looking to remove all the barriers that are out there,” he said.
“We want people to have a sense of wellbeing commensurate with their hopes.”
The plan has outlined the three key outcomes of the plan would be to create communities which were accessible, inclusive and participatory.
Cr Anthony Tran said while he initially thought the plan’s proposal to create a youth disability action plan was tokenistic, he quickly recognised the potential for other groups and plans to be developed.
“I realised that it could very well set a precedent for many of our communities as we go forward,” he said.
Cr Jorge Jorquera said he hoped the plan could support council to join with state and federal governments on creating a number of solutions across a number of elements.
“I think it’s important for us to align the propositions in this action plan to a whole host of initiatives,” he said.
Cr Simon Crawford said advocating and working for the disabled community was a “really important equity matter”.
“We’re continuing to move in the right direction and that’s great to see,” he said.
“If people with disability have any further feedback…please let us know.”
