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Did you know that in WA:
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1 in 3 people will know someone with a physical, mental health, sensory (eg blindness) or intellectual disability
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74% of Western Australians with disabilities (294,000) have some restriction in communication, mobility or self care
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6% of the total population (115,800) have profound or severe activity restrictions and sometimes need help or supervision with one or more of the tasks associated with daily living
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246,800 carers provide day-to-day support for family or friends with disabilities (that's over 10% of the Western Australian population)?
As a health service many of our patients and clients have a disability or are restricted in managing some aspect of their daily lives. WACHS has a legal obligation, through the WA Disability Services Act, 1993, to ensure that WACHS health services facilitate increased independence, opportunities and inclusion for people with disabilities.
The WACHS Disability Access and Inclusion Implementation Plan identifies strategies, actions, timelines and those responsible for ensuring the strategies and actions are achieved. The Plan will help ensure that people with disabilities in WA:
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Have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by WACHS.
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Have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of WACHS.
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Receive information from WACHS in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it.
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Receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of WACHS.
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Have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to WACHS.
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Have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by WACHS.
The Disability Services Act (WA) 2003 refers to ‘disability’ as one -
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which is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments; |
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which is permanent or likely to be permanent; |
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which may or may not be of a chronic or episodic nature; and which results in - |
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(i) |
a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility; and |
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(ii) |
a need for continuing support services |
Each of the seven WACHS regions has a Disability Access and Inclusion Coordinator who will take the lead in establishing a local health Disability Access and Inclusion Committee that will oversee the implementation of the WACHS Plan in each region. Please contact your DAIP coordinator for more information or to participate on your regional Committee. Contacts
For further information about WACHS Disability Access and Inclusion Committee in your region please contact your DAIP Regional Coordinator.
WACHS DAIP Regional Coordinators are:
Area Office: Nancy Bineham, 9223 8563, Sandra.Radich@health.wa.gov.au
Goldfields: David Holland, 9080 5710, David.Holland@health.wa.gov.au
Great Southern: Ceinwen Gearon, 9892 2664, Ceinwen.Gearon@health.wa.gov.au
Kimberley: Kylie Olivery, 9194 222, Kylie.Oliver@health.wa.gov.au
Midwest: Marie Norris, 9956 2376, Marie.Norris@health.wa.gov.au
Pilbara: Dawn Logan, 9158 9223, Dawn.Logan@health.wa.gov.au
South West: C/o Linda.Nixon, 97812350, Linda.Nixon@health.wa.gov.au
Wheatbelt: Peta Thompson, 9045 4642, Peta.Thompson@health.wa.gov.au and
Sally Repton, 9045 6283 Sally.Repton@health.wa.gov.au
Publications and Useful Links
WACHS Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
Disability Services Commission
WA Health Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
WA Health Disability Access and Inclusion Website
Department of Health’s Disability Access and Inclusion Policy
Department of Health’s Access to Information policy and guidelines
WA Disability Services Act, 1993, Regulations 2004
Association for the Blind
WA Deaf Society
Disability First Stop
THIS INFORMATION CAN BE ACCESSED IN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT UPON REQUEST.
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