Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-2026
The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2022–2026 (DAIP, the Plan) was endorsed by Council in October 2022.
The City of Ballarat acknowledges our responsibility to lead the development of inclusive policies, plans, programs and services that recognise, respect and value diversity.
We are committed to taking practical actions to support everyone in the municipality to be able to participate fully in life and to feel welcome, visible, included, accepted and heard.
Inclusion exists when
- People can see themselves in their community
- People feel visible and represented
- People feel safe, included, welcome and accepted in all parts of their lives
- Diversity is celebrated and its value is recognised
- Places, spaces, programs, services and events are accessible, safe and welcoming for everyone
- Everyone can participate fully in life and reach their potential
Inclusion principles
Our principles are the foundational ideas that shape our planning and decision making for our inclusion work.
Our diversity is our strength
We understand that every person can make valuable contributions, and that diversity strengthens our organisation and our community.
Equity
We understand that providing a level playing field means providing different supports to different people, based upon need.
Intersectionality
We acknowledge that people are complex with multiple aspects to their identity. Different aspects of a person’s identity can expose them to overlapping forms of discrimination and marginalisation. We will consider the multiple forms of discrimination and disadvantage that may be experienced by our priority groups.
Diversity and inclusion is business as usual
We will work towards organisational change to ensure that diversity and inclusion are embedded in our policies, processes, facilities, programs and services.
Strong partnerships
We will support and strengthen existing partnerships and seek to form new ones with those working to promote inclusion in the community. We acknowledge the immense amount of work already being done in this area.
Inclusive engagement
We will engage meaningfully with our community, ensuring that our engagement processes are inclusive and that we engage directly with priority groups on issues that affect them.
In addition to our overarching inclusion principles, the following principles apply to our work in disability access and inclusion.
Co-design with people with disability
We recognise the importance of placing expertise and lived experiences of people with disability at the centre of decision making and action. We will engage in authentic and genuine partnerships and power-sharing with people with disability.
Accessible communication and universal design
We recognise that characteristics such as gender, ability, Indigenous background, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, faith, socioeconomic status, or age can be a barrier to access and inclusion. We will create processes designed to provide opportunities for as many people as possible to access information and receive and give feedback. We will also ensure policies, facilities, programs and services are accessible to as many people as possible.
Striving for best practice
We recognise that best practice requires more than addressing compliance. We will review actions regularly, proactively explore initiatives elsewhere and, where the evidence base is emerging, be brave and innovative.
Ballarat is a changing and diverse community
With 1-in-6 people living with disability, there are around 19,000 people with disability in Ballarat. More than 6,000 people with severe or profound disability live in Ballarat.
- The City of Ballarat is home to 7.4% of people living with disability, and 39.1% living with long term health conditions, higher than the Regional Victorian average.
- Our municipality has significantly higher rates of women (7.8%) and men 7.7%) with severe or profound disability than Regional Victoria.
- 14.2% of the population provided unpaid care.
Source: Community Profile
Help to shape our next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026-30
We're seeking feedback from you to help us create the next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026-2030. This is our 4-year plan to make Ballarat a more inclusive and accessible community for everyone.
This plan will guide us to improve accessibility and reduce barriers, ensuring people living with disability can fully participate and thrive in all aspects of community life in Ballarat.
Register for an interactive engagement session
During these 2-hour sessions we will ask the following:
- How do you think the City of Ballarat could improve access and inclusion? (within Council's role and responsibilities)
- What are the barriers for people living with disability in the Ballarat?
- What is working well for people living with disability in Ballarat?
In conjunction with these sessions we will also have a survey available on MySay Ballarat.
Please contact Meg Lawton, Community Inclusion Officer (Access and Inclusion) at meglawton@ballarat.vic.gov.au if you have any queries or questions.
Sessions for people living with disability and carers
Option 1:
When: Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 12pm – 2pm
Where: Selkirk Stadium, 989 Norman Street
Register for this session
Option 2:
When: Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 6pm – 7.30pm
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
Register for this session
Option 3:
When: Thursday 19 March 2026 at 10am – 12pm
Where: Trench Room, Ballarat Town Hall
Register for this session
Sessions for organisations, services, businesses and employers
Option 1:
When: Thursday 26 February 2026 at 10am – 12pm
Where: Trench Room, Ballarat Town Hall
Register for this session
Option 2:
When: Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 12pm – 2pm
Where: Djila-tjarriu Community Hub, 18 Donegal Drive
Register for this session