Diversity (Inclusion) Action Plan 2009 - 2012 - Persons with a disability

Diversity (inclusion) Action Plan home


DSE promotes a work environment that is free from discrimination and that provides equal opportunity for all. In the Victorian Public Sector 4% of employees have been identified as having a disability.* This compares with 20% of the Australian population as a whole (ABS 4430.0).

DSE objectives in relation to disability are to:

• Ensure its recruitment processes offer maximum opportunity for access to people with disabilities
• Provide flexible work conditions
• Provide ready access to reasonable (workplace) adjustment where this is required
• Improve measures for participation of people with disabilities in DSE’s work force

	Actions	When	Responsible Area	Milestones/Deliverables/Target
Reducing barriers to persons with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment.
1	Actively work with Randstad and Diveristy@Work to increase employment in the department of people with disabilities.	July 2009 Ongoing	Human Resources to lead and facilitate on behalf of Divisions	Establish base data for 2008/2009 and measure increase yearly.
2	Ensure that position descriptions are inclusive of people with disabilities, and promote access to Randstad and Diveristy@Work for support services.	Ongoing	DSE Human Resources and Divisions	Compliance from July 2009 and ongoing.
3	Develop and promote DSE’s Disability-Reasonable Adjustment policy.	July 2009 Ongoing	Human Resources and DSE Divisions	Regular promotion of the policy, at least bi-annually.
4	Promote DSE’s flexible work practices.	Ongoing	Human Resources	Regular promotion of DSE’s flexible work practices, at least bi-annually.
5	Promote DSE as an employer of people with disabilities in external and internal media.	Ongoing	Human Resources	Regular promotion of DSE as an employer of people with a disability, at least bi-annually.
Reducing barriers to persons with a disability accessing goods, services and facilities.
6	Provide information in a range of formats, such as video, audio tape, easy English and picture versions.	Ongoing	Communications Division, Divisions and statutory authorities	Determine requirements for a range of information needs and review annually to ensure that DSE is meeting needs.
7	Dissemination of electronic information in easy access formats.	Ongoing	Communications Division, Information and Business Technology Branch, Divisions and statutory authorities	Establish base data for 2008/2009 and measure increase yearly in availability of easy access formats.
Promote inclusion and participation in the community of persons with a disability.
8	Diversity (Inclusion) Action Plan promoted to staff, statutory authorities and made available to the community.	July 2009	Human Resources and DSE Divisions	Promotion of DSE’s Diversity Action Plan on launch, and on a yearly basis thereafter.
9	Advise that DSE programs and engagement activities consider access to people with a disability.	Ongoing	Engagement and Partnership Team (for advice), Divisions, and Coast Action/Coast Care	Inclusion of disability considerations in DSE programs, and planning of engagement activities.
10	On request make available Auslan interpreters, support workers and address other access requirements for events, marketing and advertising.	As required	Communications, Facilities and Divisions	Establish base data for 2008/2009, and measure availability as required.
11	Ensure DSE community and volunteer programs are inclusive, flexible and responsive in meeting the needs of people with disabilities and their carers.	Ongoing	DSE Program Managers	Raise awareness of community and volunteer program managers of protocols on inclusion of people with a disability on a bi-annual basis.
Achieve tangible changes in attitudes and practices which discriminate against persons with a disability.
12	Regularly review and update HR policies and procedures that support people with a disability.	July 2009 and ongoing	Human Resources	Policies created and reviewed yearly with amendments for people with disabilities.
13	Promote Diversity (Inclusion) Action Plan to staff, and make it available to the public and community.	July 2009 and ongoing	Human Resources and DSE Divisions	Brochures sent to statutory authorities and community groups at the time of release.
14	Continue to promote awareness, and support and celebrate significant dates and events.	Ongoing	Human Resources	Promote campaigns and events yearly across DSE.
15	Incorporate disability awareness and education in all training on offer.	July 2009 and ongoing	Human Resources	From July 2009 incorporate disability aware-ness and education in training on offer.

Case study 1 - Celebrate by accessing public land

• The Crown Land Caravan and Camping Parks Improvement program, which has funded development of accessible cabins and visitor facilities,
• The Coast Action / Coastcare program, which provides opportunities for communities, including people with disabilities, to learn about marine and coastal environments through activities and events:
• The DSE Go For Your Life projects, including:
  • The Walking Trails Classification and Improvement Program, which is developing a new standard classification system for walking trails, and will take into account walkers of varying abilities. The project has also upgraded the White Woman’s Waterhole track near Yarram, which is now accessible to elderly residents and others with reduced mobility.
  • The East Gippsland Partnerships Project, which has built a 600m Access for All Abilities multipurpose loop on the outskirts of Bruthen, which links to existing trails in the State forest.
  • The Green Gym Project, a partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia that enables volunteers to combine conservation activities on public land with opportunities to improve their health, wellbeing and social networks.