PAGE 04 What is Access and Inclusion To be part of the local community, people living with disability require buildings, streets, open spaces and services that are accessible and welcoming, along with transport suited to their needs. Access refers to the removal or reduction of barriers (physical and The Disability Discrimination Act attitudinal) Since 1993, the Disability to participation in the activities and Discrimination Act has prohibited functions of a community. discrimination against people with Access is just one part of the disability in a range of broader context of inclusion. areas including transport, education, is the process whereby “Inclusion employment, services, every person (irrespective of age, accommodation and premises used disability, gender, religion, sexual by the public. The preference Act is based on the principle that or nationality) who wishes to, can people living with disability have the participate fully in all aspects of an same rights as the rest of the activity or service in the same way as community. any other member of the community.”2 What does disability mean? Many people living with disability Disability includes physical, intellectual, experience a lack of inclusion psychiatric, sensory, neurological, and rather than a lack of access. learning disabilities, as well as physical disfigurement, and the presence in the body of disease-causing organisms, whether from birth, or acquired through illness, accident or ageing, and people living with mental illness.3 2 information-for-providers/inclusion-in-the-community.php 3 Commonwealth of Australia (1992). Disability Discrimination Act Section 4.
PAGE 04 What is Access and Inclusion To be part of the local community, people living with disability require buildings, streets, open spaces and services that are accessible and welcoming, along with transport suited to their needs. Access refers to the removal or reduction of barriers (physical and attitudinal) to participation in the activities and functions of a community. Access is just one part of the broader context of inclusion. “Inclusion is the process whereby every person (irrespective of age, disability, gender, religion, sexual preference or nationality) who wishes to, can participate fully in all aspects of an activity or service in the same way as any other member of the community.”2 Many people living with disability experience a lack of inclusion rather than a lack of access. The Disability Discrimination Act Since 1993, the Disability Discrimination Act has prohibited discrimination against people with disability in a range of areas including transport, education, employment, services, accommodation and premises used by the public. The Act is based on the principle that people living with disability have the same rights as the rest of the community. What does disability mean? Disability includes physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, neurological, and learning disabilities, as well as physical disfigurement, and the presence in the body of disease-causing organisms, whether from birth, or acquired through illness, accident or ageing, and people living with mental illness.3 2 information-for-providers/inclusion-in-the-community.php 3 Commonwealth of Australia (1992). Disability Discrimination Act Section 4.