Wagga Wagga City Council would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land - Wiradjuri country, and to pay respects to Elders past and present.

Wagga Wagga City Council has a long history and association with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the Local Government Area (LGA).

Council values the diversity of our local community and supports reconciliation by working consistently in partnership with its local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, always ensuring that the process is based on respect, trust and a spirit of openness.

Acknowlegement of country...........................3

Message from Mayor .......................................5

Where Disability Action Planning sits within the sustainable planning framework .........................6

Vision and Guiding Principles ............................7

Introduction...................................................8

Definitions....................................................10

Demographics of the Local Government Area (LGA)....................................................11

Understanding Legislation and Policy..........13

Developing the plan .....................................17

The path Wagga Wagga City Council took....19

Overview of Consultation.............................21

Attitudes and Behaviours ............................23

Liveability.....................................................28

Meaningful Employment ..............................36

Improve access to services through better systems and Processes ...............................41

Services in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area ........................................47

Message from the Mayor, Councilor Greg Conkey (OAM)

As Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga I am pleased to be presenting the Wagga Wagga City Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan. I am personally committed to doing all I can to see our city become a place that allows all of us opportunities in our work and play, but more specifically that increases opportunities and a sense of value for people living in our community with visible or invisible disabilities.

Our Disability Inclusion Action Plan links strategically with the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan by ensuring action plans align with their four identified priority areas in addition to our Community Strategic Plan, a city wide strategy with a vision to make Wagga Wagga a thriving, innovative, connected and inclusive community.

This plan has been built on the strength of the voices in our community. People across our city shared the barriers which exist for them that decrease their ability to live a life where they feel included, considered and valued. I would like to thank our community members who worked with us to develop this plan.

This plan is the road map for the next four years, providing a level of action and accountability moving forward. It is my hope that our leadership in increasing access and strengthening a more inclusive culture will decrease the discrimination faced by people with disabilities and will be an example to lead the way for many other agencies and businesses to follow.

Where does the Disability Inclusion Action Plan sit within the sustainable planning framework?

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) provides a clear direction to ensure Wagga Wagga City Council is developing a liveable city which is thriving, connected, innovative and inclusive. The plan has been written to provide a list of actions Wagga Wagga City Council will deliver over the next four years within the Local Government Area to remove barriers to access and increase opportunities for inclusion of people with a disability.

The development of the DIAP has occurred using the principles identified in the Integrated Planning and Reporting Manual for Local Government in NSW and the priorities identified in the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014.The DIAP has also sought to integrate with other Wagga Wagga City Council strategies to ensure the principle of inclusion is embedded in all planning frameworks.

This strategy is considered a level two document within the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) Framework.

Vision

During the development of the Community Strategic Plan a vision for the city’s future was developed and tested within the community. This vision states:

"The community of Wagga is a thriving, innovative, connected and inclusive community on the Murrumbidgee. Rich in opportunity, choice, learning and environment. Wagga is a place where paths cross and people meet."

Guiding principles

To ensure we achieve our community’s vision in the future, we will embed the four principles across all aspects of work that we do

Thriving

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan will consider how we can promote the liveability of Wagga Wagga and increase the success of people with disabilities within our community

Innovation

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan will consider how we can all feel part of the community, build better relationships through attitudes and behaviours and improve access through place and space integration.

Connected

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan will consider how we can create efficient and effective systems and processes to better accommodate people living with disabilities and to create best practice where that is possible in our service delivery

Inclusive

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan will consider how we are inclusive in all aspects of our work from employment to design and planning.

"Wagga Wagga City Council's Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017 - 2021 demonstrates our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusiveness for people living with a disability across our community"

Janice Summerhayes, Director Community.

From July 2017 all government agencies across Australia will have a Disability Inclusion Action Plan. In NSW these plans will address four key areas, these are;

1. developing positive community attitudes and behaviours
2. creating liveable communities
3. supporting access to meaningful employment
4. improving access to services through better systems and processes

Wagga Wagga City Council can be a strong change agent and leader to improve the city to ensure outcomes from the four key areas. This plan is a living document that will guide us to do this based on what people living and working in the community told us were intrinsic to increasing connection and opportunity in the Wagga Wagga local government area.

We want Wagga to be a liveable community for all, one which has facilities and services which increase opportunity for all community members with a diverse range of needs, to engage with and maintain independence in everyday community life. Therefore, when referring to accessibility throughout the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021, it not only relates to Council facilities and hard infrastructure, like footpaths, buildings, parks, public places and spaces. It is also relative to opportunities to be able to obtain and use information, to provide opportunity to access employment, education and social activities. To change the lens to make it habitual to consider access and inclusion in everything Wagga Wagga City Council deliver, build or do and in the way people relate to one another.

The objectives of Wagga Wagga City Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan are to:

1. Improve attitudes and behaviours towards people living with a disability through increasing awareness of ability and changing language to reflect the capabilities of individuals.
2. Improve the accessibility and inclusion of community members living with disability in the City of Wagga Wagga to public spaces and places through applying universal design principles and improving connectivity.
3. Increase meaningful employment options for individual’s living with disability, including volunteer and work experience opportunities.
4. Increase access to information regarding a range of Council services and facilities, as well as other services in the community through improved usability and availability of information.

The Disability Inclusion Act (2014) defines disability as: ‘The long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which an interaction with various barriers may hinder the full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) shifts the understanding of disability from a focus on impairment of individuals to improving barriers to access. WHO identifies not just physical or mental conditions but rather defines disability as being interconnected with features of the society in which he or she lives.

"Overcoming the difficulties faced by people with disabilities requires interventions to remove environmental and social barriers"

Wagga Wagga City Council acknowledges all forms of disability, both visible and invisible, when identifying the importance of accessibility and inclusion for all. For the purpose of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, we will define disability to include, but not be limited to, the following types of disability;

1. Intellectual
2. Physical
3. Auditory
4. Cognitive
5. Significant mental health issues
6. Visual
7. Sensory
8. Psychosocial

• The population forecast for Wagga Wagga in 2017 is 65,712 *Estimate from forecast.id.au/wagga-wagga
• 18.2% of the population are individuals living with a disability. That’s approx. 12,000 individuals *Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012 Disability estimates
• 9.4% of population are carers for persons with a disability *FACS District data profiles 2014- 2015
• 4.6% of the population identify as either Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander *Based on 2011 Census data
• The average success rate for participants in the Disability Management Service stream (job seekers with disability, injury or health condition who are not expected to need long term support) for Disability employment services in reaching a 26 week outcome is 35% *Data from Labour Market Information portal, June 2016
• There are 2651 mobility permit holders in Wagga Wagga (as at Nov 2016) *Data from RMS of Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit holders as at Nov 2016
• 2550 of people living with a disability in the Murrumbidgee are clients of NSW Family and Community Services *FACS District data profiles 2014- 2015
• The highest % of people living with a disability are in the suburbs of Ashmont, Mount Austin and Tatton *Based on 2011 Census data
• 11.4% of the population were receiving aged pension, disability and sickness benefits *Data from Local Health District NSW 2010
• The average placement rate for participants in the Disability Management Service (job seekers with disability, injury or health condition who are not expected to need long term support) stream for Disability employment services is 34% *Data from Labour Market Information portal, June 2016
• 95% of Wagga Wagga’s population were classified as employed, in either full time or part time work *Based on 2011 Census data
• 10.5% of Wagga Wagga City’s labour force aged 15 to 24 years were classed as unemployed *Based on 2011 Census data
• The average success rate for participants in the Employment Support Service stream (job seekers with permanent disability and will need ongoing and regular support) at a Disability employment services in reaching a 26 week outcome is 51% *Data from Labour Market Information portal, June 2016
• The average placement rate for participants in the Employment Support Service (job seekers with permanent disability and will need ongoing and regular support) stream for Disability employment services is 49% *Data from Labour Market Information portal, June 2016

There are a number of laws, policies and standards that assist services and government agencies to understand what they have to comply with or how best to work with people with disabilities in all aspects of what they do. These exist at an International level, a Commonwealth and State Government level and also at a Local Government level.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

Australia was one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 17 July 2008.

The Convention aims to enhance opportunities for people with disability to participate in all aspects of social and political life including access to employment, education, health care, information, justice, public transport and the built environment.

National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020

The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 provides a ten-year national policy framework for improving life for Australians with disability, their families and carers. It represents a commitment by all levels of government, industry and the community to a unified, national approach to policy and program development. This new approach aims to address the challenges faced by people with disability, both now and into the future.

Importantly, action taken under the strategy to improve the accessibility of mainstream services for people with disability will complement specialist disability services and programs currently provided by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, including those provided through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The strategy was formally endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments on 13 February 2011. The development of the strategy was informed by a nation-wide public consultation process, involving more than 2,500 people and reported in Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia.1

National Disability Insurance Scheme Act (NDISA) 2013

The NDISA is the legislation which establishes the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing support for Australians with disability, their families and carers. As an insurance scheme, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach, investing in people with disability early to improve their outcomes later in life. The NDIS supports people with disability to build skills and capability so they can participate in the community and employment.2

Disability Discrimination Act

The Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) provides protection for everyone in Australia against discrimination based on disability. It encourages everyone to be involved in implementing the Act and to share in the overall benefits to the community and the economy that flow from participation by the widest range of people.

1. Excerpt taken from the Australian Government Department of Social Services website. https://www.dss.gov.au/

2. Excerpt taken from the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/index.html

Disability discrimination happens when people with a disability are treated less fairly than people without a disability. Disability discrimination also occurs when people are treated less fairly because they are relatives, friends, carers, co-workers or associates of a person with a disability3

NSW Disability Inclusion Act (2014) and Disability Inclusion Regulation (2014)

The Act has two broad aims. The first aim is to set out how NSW Family and Community Services will provide disability supports and services up until the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been rolled out across the whole of NSW by mid- 2018. The second aim is to make sure that after moving to the NDIS, NSW continues to be a place where people with disability have access to mainstream services and are part of their community.

The Disability Inclusion Regulation 2014 (the Regulation) supports the Act and provides the necessary detail for the Act to work properly.

The Act:

1. makes it clear that people with disability have the same human rights as other people
2. promotes the inclusion of people with disability by requiring government departments and local councils to engage in disability inclusion action planning
3. supports people with disability to exercise choice and control through individualised funding wherever possible
4. provides safeguards for people accessing NSW funded disability supports and services, including new employment screening requirements and the need for disability accommodation providers to report abuse or neglect of people with disability to the Ombudsman. Funded providers of centre-based day programs are also required to report incidents to the Ombudsman in relation to people with disability living in supported group accommodation4.

3. Excerpt taken from the Australia Human Rights Commission website. https://www.humanrights.gov.au/

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan

The plan aligns with Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040 in that it aims to promote inclusion and connectivity of individuals with disability in the community by increasing access to information, services, employment, education and social opportunities.

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan sits within the Community Strategic Plan as a direct response to inclusion being identified as a guiding principle in the Community Strategic Plan. It is also a legislative requirement proposed in the NSW Disability Inclusion Act (2014).

Other relevant legislation and policy

There are a number of pieces of legislation, standards and policies that guide direction and ensure consistent standards are adhered to across many aspects of our lives, these sit across legislation at all three tiers of government. Whilst not exhaustive, some of the legislation and policies considered in the development of the plan are listed:

1. National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (NDS)
2. National Standards for Disability Services
3. NSW Government Sector Employment Act 2013
4. NSW Disability Services Standards
5. NSW Anti-discrimination Act 1977

4. Excerpt taken from the NSW Family and Community Services, ageing, Disability and Homecare site. http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au

To ensure Wagga Wagga City Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan is inclusive of the wider community, a number of consultations took place. These consultations ranged in method of delivery and included approximately 2500 community members. These methods included the Community Strategic Plan consultations, a Disability Inclusion Action Plan Public Forum, online surveys and individual and group consultations with a number of people with a disability, their families, carers and service providers.

The plan is broken into four sections;

1. developing positive community attitudes and behaviours
2. creating livable communities
3. supporting access to meaningful employment
4. improving access to services through better systems and processes

Each section provides you with a snapshot of:

1) What you said. This section includes excerpts in the community’s words of what was said that the Wagga Wagga City Council needed to focus on to increase inclusion and accessibility.

2) What Wagga Wagga City Council has done. Wagga Wagga City Council has been committed to inclusion and access for some time and this section details the actions already achieved to increase liveability in the city.

3) What Wagga Wagga City Council will do. The Action Plan highlights what Wagga Wagga City Council can commit to or strive to achieve, in the next four years 2017 – 2021.

Is the action funded or unfunded?

All items in the action plan are linked to outcomes and strategies identified in the Community Strategic Plan (CSP). Whilst Wagga Wagga City Council has made a financial commitment to many items in the plan, some items do not yet have funding.

The plan identifies, through an Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) framework, which action items will be incorporated into operations or which items will receive additional capital funding or have been approved by council for future consideration in a ‘concepts’ list. It is the intent that these items listed as ‘unfunded’ or as ‘concepts’ may be further progressed through seeking funding opportunities to be able to progress these items, in many cases, through grant applications. No date for completion is noted against the unfunded items as the Wagga Wagga City Council cannot commit to delivering items which do not yet have available funds. All other items have a clear timeline that Wagga Wagga City Council agrees to deliver them by.

Opportunities will be sought for partnership projects and / or funding with State and Federal Government where actions plan items align.

1. POLICY ANALYSIS:

• Review Council Policy
• Review Disability Legislation and any ongoing changes in the political landscape

2. CONSULTATION:

• Consult Community Strategic Plan
• Individual and group consultations
• Staff survey
• Community online survey
• Public forum
• Internal consultation with Council staff

3. ISSUES AND STRATEGIES IDENTIFIED

• Priority areas identified in key consultations both internally and externally driven

4. DEVELOP STRATEGY AND DRAFT ACTION PLAN

• Review other agencies Disability Inclusion Action Plan guidelines
• Review 2011 census data and service delivery profile
• Internal consulatation with Council staff representative of a broad range of services

5. REVIEW

• Collate data
• Compile action plan
• Draft circulated
• Endorsed by Councillors Plan on Public Exhibition

6. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

“We have found the people of Wagga are friendly and helpful without being patronising, and are quick to assist with access to shops and facilities. Also, the overhanging verandahs of some parts of central are very welcoming, providing shade and protection from the heat of summer and the rain of winter”

Top five responses from community about what would make a difference to their experience living in Wagga Wagga:

1. Accessible adult change room/toilet
2. Inclusive play space for older individuals with disability
3. Create meaningful job opportunities
4. Provide access to the lake to enable those with disabilities to fish/go on a boat
5. Flexible and supportive induction and training processes

Wagga Wagga City Council received satisfied/high satisfaction ratings in the following areas:

1. Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre
2. Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
3. Wagga Wagga City Library
4. Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
5. Designated parking for people with a disability

Priority areas for Wagga Wagga City Council that contained a low satisfaction rating:

1. Public toilets, in particular adult change rooms
2. Footpaths and connectivity
3. Parks/open space and sporting fields

Objective

Improve community wide attitudes and behaviours towards people living with a disability through promoting awareness of ability, understanding barriers to access and changing language to reflect the capabilities of individuals.

Changing language

Throughout the consultations one of the things that became evident was the need to change the lens on disability through changing language. When disabled toilets were discussed the advice was where possible Wagga Wagga City Council should be talking about accessible toilets. People shared their personal experiences of being defined in their schooling, social life, community and workplaces by their disability and not by their skills and strengths. Wagga Wagga City Council hope one of the first steps in impr oving attitudes and behaviours will be shown through changing language.

What you said…

• "It feels like there is a sign on your forehead"
• "More acceptability and equity within our community"
• "Most of the staff at the Oasis are so friendly and know my name"
• "Wagga needs to have more open conversations about mental health and domestic violence, especially for males. More services need to be available and more acceptance"
• "Celebrate diversity and strengths, breakdown the stigma that still exists" "More awareness campaigns needed"

What Wagga Wagga City Council has done:

• Inclusive is an adopted guiding principle in our Community Strategic Plan and everything we do will be measured against it
• People living with a disability are consulted on all major plan developments eg: Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy
• Multiple resources including large print books, read along learning and services like speech therapy are made available through our Library
• Weekly programs at the Museum of the Riverina in partnership with the Leisure Company
• Prominent art exhibitions in partnership with local services to showcase the work of artists living with a disability in our Art Gallery
• Financial support of the International Day of People with Disabilities and the Wagga Disability Dance Party
• Auspiced the Sector support Ageing and Disability team who work with services across 32 Local Government Areas.

What Wagga Wagga City Council will do:

Improve attitudes and behaviours towards people living with a disability through increasing awareness of ability and changing language to reflect the capabilities of individuals.

Objective

Improve the accessibility and inclusion of community members living with disability in Wagga Wagga to public spaces and places through applying universal design principles and improving connectivity.

What is Liveability?

Liveability is an assessment of what a place is like to live in, taking into account particular qualities and standards. These can include sustainability, accessibility, inclusion, access to education, healthcare, crime and safety, environment, recreational facilities and cultural activities. Wagga Wagga City Council aims to continue building Wagga Wagga as a sustainable liveable community, through increased access and inclusion for all.

Source: Fairlie, Paul. 2011. Meaningful Work, Employee Engagement, and Other Key Employee Outcomes. Advances in Developing Human Resources, Vol 13, Issue 4, pp. 508 - 525

What you said…

• "Would be cool to have better access to parks and recreational assets"
• "We need access to calming spaces across the city"
• "The doors to the art gallery are not open, and I can’t open them"
• "A lot of people don’t have transport. The hospital gives you two hours leave and no transport to take you anywhere but taxis. Buses are $8 per trip, taxis are more. Subsidied cost for transport for mental health services would be hugely beneficial."
• "We need to create a liveable community for all, people with a disability, parents with prams, the ageing population, people who are vision or hearing impaired."
• "There are no accessible bathrooms in Wagga Wagga with a hoist and an adult change table so this limits our attending things in the community and even shopping. Sometimes events are just too hard to attend as we cannot change our daughter. Then the whole family misses out."
• "I don’t feel safe on the bed in the change room at the Oasis, it needs to be more stable and larger" "We need more shade, it takes us longer to get places"

What Wagga Wagga City Council has done:

• Inclusive is an adopted principle guiding the development of the Community Strategic Plan
• Recharge stations have been installed in council facilities
• Installation of hearing loops and counter loops in multiple publically accessible sites across council
• Installed change facilities with a hoist in the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre
• Increased accessible parking spots around the city centre
• Installation of a sensory wall in the Wagga Wagga City Library
• Automated doors added to accessible toilets in multiple sites
• Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre have completed access audits

What Wagga Wagga City Council will do:

Improve the accessibility and inclusion of community members living with a disability in the City Of Wagga Wagga to public spaces and places through applying universal design principles and improving connectivity

Objective

Increase meaningful employment options for individuals living with disability, including volunteer and work experience opportunities.

About meaningful employment

Meaningful employment has shown to have a vast impact on an individual’s life, encompassing economic, social and psychological factors. Not only does it assist in obtaining a form of financial stability and feeling of contribution to the wider community, it has also shown to have positive increases in health, well-being, identity, self-worth and social inclusion. A lack of opportunity and access to meaningful employment for individuals therefore has shown to have negative impacts in each of these areas. Wagga Wagga City Council wants to show commitment to increasing meaningful employment opportunities within Council for individuals with disability5.

5. Sources: Commonwealth Department of Social Services. (2011). National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020. Canberra, Australia. Retrieved from https:// www.dss.gov.au/ourresponsibilities/disability-and-carers/publications-articles/ policy-research/nationaldisability-strategy-2010-2020

Royal Australasian College of Physicians [RACP] & The Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (2011). Position statement on realising the health benefits of work. Retrieved from https://www.racp.edu.au/ docs/defaultsource/advocacy-library/realising-the-health-benefits-of- work. pdf?sfvrsn=10

What you said…

• "Flexible and supportive job application and interview processes"
• "There is a misunderstanding of what we will be like. You’re seen as a nuisance until you prove to be an asset"
• "It would be great to see employment landscape change to enable all people of all abilities to have work options at council"
• "Need to be more proactive engaging those with disabilities -from advertising, active discrimination in favour and workplace design"
• "I don’t recall the advertisement for my position stating that people with disabilities were encouraged to apply, someone in a physical impairment (i.e.: without the use of their legs) would be able to do this job".
• "More support needed within the workplace of mental health issues in order to help sustain meaningful employment - mental health first aid"

What Wagga Wagga City Council has done:

• Employee support officers provide peer support to colleagues
• A Diversity Strategy was introduced to ensure council is proactive in supporting all employees
• Modifications and on the job design available
• We are an employer of choice
• A needs based interview with appropriate access will be arranged for all applicants with accessibility needs
• Staff surveys completed to understand what we do well and can do better for staff with disabilities
• Employee assistance program available to all employees
• Some recruitment includes practical assessment for best match to role

What Wagga Wagga City Council will do:

Increase meaningful employment for individuals living with disability, including volunteer and work experience opportunities

Objective

Increase access to information regarding a range of Wagga Wagga City Council’s services and facilities, as well as other services in the community through improved use ability and availability of information.

Guiding principles for system improvements

The National Standards for Disability Services is a best practice guide to help shape Wagga Wagga City Council’s systems and processes, relating mainly to the delivery and accessibility of information regarding processes, from registering your pet to applying for a job and to enable participation and access to Community and Council run events and cultural activities. These best practice principals include:

1. All Wagga Wagga City Council staff are suitably qualified, skilled and supported;
2. Wagga Wagga City Council has systems to strengthen and maintain organisational capabilities to directly support individuals, their families and carers to have increased access to Wagga Wagga City Council and community information, events and employment; Wagga Wagga City Council has monitoring, feedback, learning and reflection processes, which support continuous improvement;
3. Wagga Wagga City Council employs a range of methods for active participation and consultation of people with disability and their family, friends, carers and advocates in planning, delivery and review across a number of departments.

Source: Australian Government, Department of Social Services (2013). National Standards for Disability Services – Evidence Guide.

What you said…

• "Adapting the workplace environment"
• "Free events need to be advertised better"
• "(Oasis) Swipe card system for the use of the toilet so there isn’t a need to ask" "Disability is an opportunity to make things better for everyone, not a hassle to deal with. Please put dyslexia font as an option on the council website".
• "Provide information such as stuff found in visitor information, to go into different organisations such as Sunflower house about events and things happening around town"

What Wagga Wagga City Council has done (Systems and Processes):

• Increased font in ‘Whats On’ Wagga
• Personalised service for people with literacy difficulties eg. form completion
• Council publishes annual community directory in online and print based format
• Service support provided through sector support program
• Our communications style guide requires all communications in plain English
• Website meets Web content accessibility guideline (WCAG) level AA compliance
• Visitor guide to Wagga Wagga highlights accessible rooms for visitors

What Wagga Wagga City Council will do:

Objective: Increase access to information regarding a range of Council services and facilities, as well as other services in the community through improved use ability and availability of information

The Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA) is home to a number of services and organisations that work tirelessly to increase access, and provide support and assistance to people living with a disability and their families. This list, although not exhaustive provides information that may be useful in locating a required service.

In Wagga Wagga there are also a number of businesses that can provide aids, accessibility devices and services and audits to improve accessibility for people with a disability many of these can be found online. For more information please contact:

IDEAS 1800029904

The National Disability Service is a valued resource providing up to date information on policy, resources and providing events and training. To contact the National Disability Service:

National office 02 6283 3200

nds@nds.org.au

nds@nds.org.au 02 9256 3123

ndsnsw@nds.org.au

Disclaimer: Information provided in this plan is intended to provide a guide to many services, including government departments in the City of Wagga Wagga. However, the information contained is not exhaustive. No warranty, representation or undertaking is made about the content, accuracy and completeness of the information provided. The City of Wagga Wagga acknowledges that the information gathered was accurate and true at time of development. Council accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage or injury which may arise from anything contained in this publication.

1. Intereach

(Specialises in: Youth, Carers, Respite, Case Management)

20 Peter St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6932 8300

2. Northcott

(Specialises in: Youth, Case Management, Accommodation)

124 Peter Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 1800 818 286

3. Cerebral Palsy Alliance

38 Murray St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 9743

4. Ostara

(Specialises in: Mental Health, Disabilty and Employment)

40 Morrow St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 02 6921 1047

5. Kurrajong

73-75 Johnston St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 1300 764 620

6. Sureway

(Specialises in: employment)

Suite 3, 34-36 Fitzmaurice St,Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650

Ph: 1300 787 392

7. Headspace

(Specialises in: mental health, youth)

2/185 Morgan St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6923 3170

8. Audio Clinic

(Specialises in: health, hearing)

1/177-179 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6925 8388

9. Job Centre Australia

(Specialises in: Employment, Transition to work, indigenous services)

55 Peter St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 8004

10. Rosemont

(Specialises in: Aged care)

The Huthwaite Ctr Baylis St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 8839

11. Wagga Autism Support Group

Wagga Autism Support Group Inc.

PO Box 5221

Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6922 9744

12. The Personnel Group

(Specialises in: employment)

19 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6922 2888

13. Live Better

1 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 1441

14. Home Care Service NSW

(Specialises in: In home care, health services)

76 Morgan St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6937 9621

15. Vision Australia

37 Trail St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6926 8500

16. Aspergers Autism Youth Group

Run through COMPACT

1/112 Fitzmaurice St Wagga Wagga

NSW 2650

Ph: 02 6931 9300

17. Regional Disability Advocacy Service

31 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 9225

18. Better Hearing Australia

12 Docker St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6925 2002

19. Wellways

(Specialises in: mental health, community and outreach support)

1/27 Forsyth St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 1300 111 400

20. Calvary Community Care

50 Brookong Ave, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 1300 660 022

21. Riding for the Disabled Association

321 Plumpton Road WAGGA WAGGA 2650

Ph: 6922 3550

22. Marymead

(Specialises in: youth, counselling, early intervention)

36-40 Gurwood St, Wagga Wagga, 2650

Ph: 02 6162 5800

23. Leisure Company

73 Peter St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 2330

24. Care West

(Specialises in: Case Management, NDIS, Accommodation, Respite, Day Programs)

1 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 1300 227 393

25. One Door Mental Health

47-49 Gurwood Street

Wagga

Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 02 6925 9399

26. Mental Health Recovery Unit

(Specialises in: Mental Health)

Wagga Wagga Sub- Acute Mental Health Unit PO Box 159 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 02 5943 1800

27. Wagga Community Transport Group

10 Chaston St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6925 1007

28. Kurrajong Therapy Plus

(Specialises in: children, developmental delay)

2 Grampian Place, Tatton Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6923 8400

29. Ningana Enterprises Inc

(Specialises in: employment, day programs, accommodation, respite)

Shop 7, Piazza Arcade, 46-52 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 02 6921 1393

30. Aspect Riverina School

(Specialises in: special education, autism)

Runs at Sacred Heart Primary School (Wagga)

Ph: 02 6057 3777

31. Community Mental Health Service

2 O’Reilly St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6923 5700

32. Sunflower House

4 The Esplanade, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6931 8770

33. Partners in Recovery

1/185 Morgan St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650, Australia

Ph: 02 6923 3192

34. Strong Minds (Marathon Health)

154 Fitzmaurice Street, PO Box 138 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6923 3195

35. Child and Adolescent Mental Health

2 O’Reilly St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6923

36. Wagga Family Support Service

46/52 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 7544

37. Hearing Aid Specialists

197 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6921 6800

38. Flourish Australia

Unit 2, 84-86 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga

Ph: 9393 9520

39. CareSouth

Unit 7, 24 Esplanade

Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 1300 554 260

Wagga Wagga City Council Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017 - 2021

Wagga Wagga City Council
PO Box 20
Cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts Wagga Wagga NSW

Ph: 1300 292 442 Fax: (02) 6926 9199
Email: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Follow @WaggaCouncil on Twitter to get the news, events and emergency information straight from the source.

www.wagga.nsw.gov.au