By Samantha Elley
Last week marked the International Day of People with Disability and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg was joined by two members of the Lismore City Council’s Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group (DIAG), Jenny London and Brad Lancaster to acknowledge the day at Lismore Memorial Baths.
“It’s very fitting we are at the pool,” said Cr Krieg.
“We’ve seen some of the extra facilities that Lismore Council’s provided for people with disability and they are a direct result of our Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).
“These plans need to be updated every few years and now is the time we are calling for submissions from our community for actions they want to see council put forward.”
Cr Krieg said new tactiles are going in and around the different villages and CBD.
“I’ve learnt a lot being on this committee and other members who are visually impaired have taught me a lot about how critical the direction of those tactiles are,” he said.
“So it’s really important for people who aren’t living with a disability to understand how important these things are for some 3,000 people in our LGA that are living with a disability in some form.
“That’s about seven per cent of our population.”
The new DIAP will outline the key actions to be delivered by council to provide inclusion and protect the rights of people with a disability in the community.
“We are very keen for the community to be involved in advising the council,” said Jenny London.
“This is an opportunity for people with disabilities and their families, carers, support workers to have a voice.
“It’s really critical that we get information from the people that live this every day.”
Such provisions have included two mobile lifts at the Lismore Memorial Baths to allow people with mobile impairments to get in the water.
“There are a lot of disabilities that are hidden too,” said Brad Lancaster.
“It’s opened our eyes up in the group where they may look normal but they have disabilities and we are here to help.”
To provide feedback and support towards the development of the next DIAP, go to Your Say Lismore at https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/disability-inclusion-action-plan-2026-2030
Submissions close December 10 so you will need to be quick.
