BRAIN INJURY NETWORK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.
Disability Action Plan 2012 – 2014
Preamble In keeping with the principles of the South Australian Disability Services Act (1993), the Brain Injury Network of South Australia Inc. (BINSA) is committed to the following principles: 1. People with disabilities are individuals, regardless of how they acquired their disability, what sort of disability they have, or the severity of their disability. 2. People with disabilities have the right to be respected and treated with dignity. 3. People with disabilities have the same human rights and responsibilities as any member of the Australian community. 4. People with disabilities have the same rights as any member of the Australian community to realize their potential for intellectual, physical, social, emotional, sexual and spiritual development. 5. People with disabilities have the same rights as any member of the Australian community to make their own decisions about their lifestyle. 6. People with disabilities have a right to be protected from neglect, abuse, intimidation and exploitation. 7. People with disabilities have the same rights as any member of the Australian community to the assistance and support that will enable them to exercise their rights, discharge their responsibilities and attain a reasonable quality of life.
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 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.
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 disability.
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BINSA holds the following at its core: Purpose:
Identify needs and represent issues
Advocate for change and action on issues that cause disadvantage
Identify, develop and initiate improved services
Be well informed and actively share information
Deliver specialised services where appropriate.
Beliefs:
Individuals with an ABI, their families and significant others are entitled to the protection of their human, legal civil and consumer rights
Individuals with an ABI deserve the highest standard of care and support.
Values:
We give voice to people with ABI
We demonstrate mutual respect and courtesy in our respective roles.
BINSA will:
Promote an increased awareness of the rights, needs, and contribution by people with disabilities as valued members of the community
Support access and equity for all South Australians with disabilities and prevents discrimination on the basis of age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, language and culture
Ensure that the interests of people with disabilities are always considered in the planning and provision of BINSA services
Work collaboratively with people with disabilities and in partnerships with other agencies, services providers, professional groups, educational institutions, and other community organisations to ensure that the highest levels of services appropriate to the needs of people with disabilities can be provided
Facilitate equal opportunities for people with disabilities in employment or volunteering opportunities
Ensure training of staff and volunteers involved in the planning and provision of programs and services as important elements of promoting full participation and equality for people with disabilities
Advance equal opportunity for people with disabilities by striving for continuous quality improvement in the implementation of disability action plans.
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Contact Details for Person Responsible for Disability Action Plan Mariann R McNamara Executive Officer BINSA 70 Light Square ADELAIDE SA 5000 Tel: 08 8217 7609 Mob: 0412 195 296 Email: mariann@binsa.org
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Action Plan 2012-14 Access to our programs and services Action
Responsibility
Timeline
All clients are assisted dependent on their specify needs.
Relevant service/program
Ongoing
Information and communication about services and programs Action
Responsibility
Timeline
All information to be provided in an accessible form. E.g. Newsletters, flyers, website
EO/relevant staff
ongoing
Review information pack regarding all services for families of potential clients.
EO/relevant staff
June 2013
Delivering advice and services with awareness and understanding to people with disabilities Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Training for current staff regarding values and attitudes
EO
June 2013
Include values and attitudes training as a component of new staff orientation
EO
ongoing
Training for non-client contact staff e.g. administration and finance in disability awareness
EO
June 2013
Consulting with people with disabilities about services and programs Action
Responsibility
Timeline
All members will be involved in forums to discuss and evaluate services and to examine gaps in services
All staff
June 2013
Ensuring the delivery of client forums and evaluations of services BINSA
All staff
Ongoing
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Meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Access pamphlets / wall charts re interpreter services plus website access
EO/relevant staff
June 2013
Review and maintain culture neutral office spaces
All Staff
June 2013
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Identify work environments where improvements to access and equity may apply to encourage people with a disability to meet employment requirements.
EO
Ongoing
Accessible workplace practices
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