❓ A parliamentary question regarding evacuation procedures for people with disabilities in WA government buildings, prompted by an incident at a federal agency. The Minister's response highlights existing disability access and inclusion plans.
AnsweredQoN 269Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS - EVACUATION PROCEDURES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Following the recent abandonment of a paraplegic man in a wheelchair in a government building, when a member of staff stated to him that he had to stay behind following a fire alarm and consequent evacuation procedures because it was “policy” - (1) Does the state government have an effective evacuation policy for disabled people in state government buildings, including and in particular Dumas House and Parliament House? (2) Have all staff members completed an induction in regard to that policy? (3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE
Following the recent abandonment of a paraplegic man in a wheelchair in a government building, when a member of staff stated to him that he had to stay behind following a fire alarm and consequent evacuation procedures because it was “policy” - (1) Does the state government have an effective evacuation policy for disabled people in state government buildings, including and in particular Dumas House and Parliament House? (2) Have all staff members completed an induction in regard to that policy? (3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(1) Does the state government have an effective evacuation policy for disabled people in state government buildings, including and in particular Dumas House and Parliament House? (2) Have all staff members completed an induction in regard to that policy? (3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(2) Have all staff members completed an induction in regard to that policy? (3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(1) Does the state government have an effective evacuation policy for disabled people in state government buildings, including and in particular Dumas House and Parliament House? (2) Have all staff members completed an induction in regard to that policy? (3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(2) Have all staff members completed an induction in regard to that policy? (3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(3) Is there a tracking system in place that monitors participation and competency in this evacuation policy for the members of our community with disabilities? (4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(4) What practical means does the minister have in place when electrical transport devices such as elevators are deemed to be prohibited operationally? The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
The SPEAKER : Before I give the minister the call, once again the member is asking of the minister a question that is the responsibility of Parliament. If the member puts on notice the part of the question that refers to what is in place in Parliament, we will get an answer to that part of the question. In relation to the balance, I call the Minister for Disability Services. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for his question. If the facts were accurately reported in the paper recently, that was an appalling situation. It related to a person who was in the Child Support Agency, and the member will probably be aware that that is a federal agency and therefore subject to federal policies and practices. In relation to state agencies, every agency is required to have a disability access and inclusion plan. Probably because the member was not here in 2004, he may not be aware that we amended the Disability Services Act to improve the requirements of agencies to make their buildings accessible for people with disabilities. I would expect every agency, including those at Dumas House, to comply with their responsibilities under the disability access and inclusion plan.
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