DIAP draft letter recommendation.

[Insert Date]

[Insert Council name]
[Insert Council address]
[City, State, Postcode]

Via e-mail: [add feedback e-mail address]

Dear Council,

Feedback on Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 

I live in your local government area and am writing regarding the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan to provide feedback as a person with low vision or blindness.

I rely on consistent cues and pathways to navigate our local community, particularly the local town centre to access essential services and connect with friends, family and transport. This includes the appropriate application of tactile ground service indicators, audio tactile pedestrian indicators, Braille signage and accessible public spaces in general.

People with low vision or blindness experience exclusion across multiple areas of society and services. Council can ensure its website, documents and service providers are accessible, including meeting the latest Website Content Accessibility Guidelines. Bold text, colour contrast and easy navigation and steps are needed so websites and online services are identifiable and can be completed.

There is also a need to ensure Council facilities are accessible and include Braille and large font signage, staff that are aware of how to assist a person with low vision or blindness and materials or technology including magnifying lenses.

Most importantly is having a Council that has co-design built into governance structures. This can include ensuring a representative with low vision or blindness is a member of Council’s disability reference committee. It also means providing general awareness for staff, community and local businesses about their obligations in maintaining accessible places and upholding the rights of Guide Dog Handlers.

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has released its Pathways to Inclusion Report(opens in new tab), which assists local governments with information on how to better include, and make their community more accessible, for people with low vision or blindness. It highlights responses from over 300 participants across NSW and the ACT with low vision or blindness about what they need to be better included in local communities.

The report recommends the need to embed co-design, how to improve transport accessibility, make Council’s online resources accessible and the need to prioritise consistent maintenance of footpaths. We suggest all LGAs in NSW, and across Australia, consider the report’s recommendations in their future-planning. It’s also a report that would be relevant to share with your disability or accessibility reference group.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the development of this important plan. I would welcome continued engagement and co-design in all of Council’s work with the low vision and blindness community to ensure local places and services are more accessible and inclusive for all.

Sincerely,

 
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]