Third Disability Action Plan 2009–2011

“Our aim is to ensure that Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) is inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities”

From the Chief Executive

PIRSA is committed to the rights of people with disabilities and will promote the recognition and acceptance within PIRSA of the principle that people with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.

This latest Disability Action Plan will particularly address outstanding targets from the Second Disability Action Plan 2006-2009.  This review and evaluation process represents PIRSA’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling the inclusive and non-discriminatory objectives of progressive legislation and policies around people with disabilities.

Our Plan also goes further - in a spirit of partnership and participation across our organisation.  It sees key functional managers take responsibility for their particular areas of expertise with a view to ensuring their work yields improvements or benefits, as the case may be, for people with disabilities and all stakeholders.

A key feature of this Plan is its linkages to the whole-of-government approach to working with people with disabilities. Over the next three years, by building a stronger understanding of issues for people with disabilities through the collective experience of other Government agencies and other direct stakeholders, this Plan will continue the process towards an inclusive and accessible environment within PIRSA.

I whole-heartedly support the intent and actions of the Third Disability Plan 2009 – 2011 and look forward to realising its strategies.

Geoff Knight
Acting Chief Executive, Primary Industries and Resources SA
Date: 24/10/06

About the Agency

Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) is a dynamic State Government agency committed to the economic development of the State and the sustainable use of natural resources. PIRSA supports the food, fibre and minerals industries that contribute $9.2 billion annually to the State’s economy.

PIRSA has in excess of 1300 employees and operates from over 50 sites throughout the state.

SA Government Commitment

In 1997, the then Minister for Disability Services announced that the Government would develop a disability strategy as a commitment to South Australians with disabilities and that all Government Portfolios and their agencies would be required to develop Disability Action Plans. 

On 22 November 2000 the then Minister for Disability Services launched Promoting Independence – Disability Action Plans for SA.  The initiative provides a policy framework for the development of Disability Action Plans as a key strategy for all South Australian Government Portfolios and their agencies.

The Promoting Independence strategy remains entirely consistent with the Government’s commitment to implement inclusive policies and services, which enhance the rights of people with disabilities and which is given specific prominence in the State Strategic Plan specifically Target 6.22 People with Disabilities in the Public Sector and T2.11 Greater Safety At Work.

Definition of Disability

The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, 1992 (DDA) and the Equal Opportunity Act (SA), 1984 (EOA) defines disability as:

• total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions; or
• total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body; or
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or 
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or that results in disturbed behaviour.

And includes a disability that:

• presently exists; or
• previously existed but no longer exists; or
• may exist in the future; or
• is imputed to a person.

Definition of Discrimination

The DDA and the EOA makes discrimination on the basis of disability unlawful. The DDA and the EOA requires employers and service providers to make whatever adjustments are necessary and reasonable to allow people with disabilities to use those services to the same extent as other people – irrespective of whether these services are provided by Government agencies, community organisations or business enterprises.

Discrimination covers less favourable treatment of a person because of a disability, or the disability of a relative or associate. Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favourably because of a disability or perceived disability. Indirect discrimination occurs when reasonable changes or adjustments are not made for a person with a disability, or if there are conditions or requirements that disadvantage people with disabilities.

Promoting Independence Outcomes

The State Promoting Independence Strategy provides a set of broad strategies under each key outcome areas. The ultimate responsibility for the achievement of the six key outcomes rests with the Chief Executive.

The key outcomes specified withinthe State Promoting Independence Strategy are:

1. Portfolios and their agencies ensure accessibility to their services to people with disabilities.
2. Portfolios and their agencies ensure information about their services and programs is inclusive of people with disabilities.
3. Portfolios and their agencies deliver advice or services to people with disabilities with awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with disabilities 
4. Portfolios and their agencies provide opportunities for consultation with people with disabilities in decision-making processes regarding service delivery and in the implementation of complaints and grievance mechanisms.
5. Each Portfolio Chief Executive will ensure that their Portfolio has met the requirements of the DDA and the EOA.
6. Portfolios and their agencies increase the rate of employment of people with a disability within their agencies.

Development of the Plan

Following the success of PIRSA’s Disability Action Plan and Implementation Strategy 2006–2009, PIRSA reconvened the Promoting Independence Reference Group (Reference Group) on 12 October 2009.  The Reference group consists of people in key strategic areas with the objective of reviewing and updating PIRSA’s Disability Action Plan and Implementation Strategy for 2009-2011.  The Reference Group reviewed the achievement to date of the previous plan.  Whilst waiting for the outcomes of the review of the Whole of Government strategy, it was agreed to continue to develop specific strategies and actions for continued implementation in PIRSA.

Our Vision

It is our vision that every South Australian, regardless of ability, will have access to the products and services provided to our communities by our organisation and to participate in the PIRSA workforce.  In all that we do, the rights and dignity of people with disabilities will be upheld by the implementation of this Plan.

Our Mission

Our products and service delivery will continue to be upgraded to maximise accessibility and meet the needs of people with all types of disability.

We will promote the recognition and acceptance within PIRSA of the principle that people with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.

We will strive for the demographics of our workforce to be more representative of the South Australian community.

Through these endeavours our communities will be strengthened, individuals will be free to choose the role they play in our society and our organisational members will grow.

Making the Vision a Reality

PIRSA has adopted this Third Disability Action Plan to fulfil the requirements of legislation, in particular the DDA and the EOA and the OHS&W Act 1986 as amended.  The Plan also actively integrates the South Australian Government’s Disability Policy “Promoting Independence” and State Strategic Plan targets.

The Plan has a two year outlook and engages all relevant areas of Agency business and activities.

PIRSA’s Business Divisions are responsible for implementing actions to achieve the six key outcomes of the Plan. Successful implementation will be realised through active participation by Business Divisions.

Measuring Success

Each Business Division will be required to provide a half yearly performance report to PIRSA Executive to monitor attainment of the outcomes.

A progress report will be prepared for Cabinet at the conclusion of each financial year.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement is made for the contribution and support of the PIRSA Promoting Independence Reference Group and the PIRSA Disability Focus Group.

For further information, please contact:

For further information or alternative formats of this publication in large print, audio and Braille please contact Anna Gabrielli, Manager HR Business Partners, Human Resources or Nichola McDonald, HR Consultant Equity & Diversity, Human Resources, Primary Industries and Resources SA, L16, 25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000.  Phone either 8226 0275 (Anna) or 8226 0195 (Nichola).

Disability Action Plan 2009-2011 including Outcomes (.doc)