❓ A parliamentary question addresses disability awareness training in WA, particularly regarding speech impairments and discrimination, seeking information on government provisions, funding, and support mechanisms.
AnsweredQoN 6382Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What provision for disability awareness training does the Western Australian Government currently provide?
(2) Does the government provide for disability awareness training specifically in relation to speech impairments?
(3) Is the Minister aware of the case in Western Australia involving a man who was refused entry to a public bar because of his speech impairment?
(4) How can the Western Australian Government support citizens with speech impairments who face such discrimination in Western Australia?
(5) Is disability awareness training for public security workers, including rail transport officers mandatory in Western Australia?
(6) What funding has been allocated for disability awareness training in Western Australia in the latest state budget?
(2) Does the government provide for disability awareness training specifically in relation to speech impairments?
(3) Is the Minister aware of the case in Western Australia involving a man who was refused entry to a public bar because of his speech impairment?
(4) How can the Western Australian Government support citizens with speech impairments who face such discrimination in Western Australia?
(5) Is disability awareness training for public security workers, including rail transport officers mandatory in Western Australia?
(6) What funding has been allocated for disability awareness training in Western Australia in the latest state budget?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 November 2011
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Disability Services
Response time
33 days
1. The Disability Services Commission seeks to raise community awareness about the inclusion of people with disability, however the Commission does not directly provide disability awareness training as government, business and community organisations are themselves responsible for training their staff. This includes any specific disability awareness training that may be deemed appropriate in the pursuit of inclusive customer service and in the context of Outcome 4 of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans that over 230 WA public authorities are required to develop and implement under the Disability Services Act 1993; the WA Equal Opportunity Act 1984; and the national Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
On its website the Commission provides a list of known disability awareness training providers.
2. The Disability Services Commission promotes the needs of all people with disability, rather than one particular group of people with disability. While not directly responsible for providing or funding disability awareness training the Commission has developed the following general resources which can assist organisations in undertaking their own disability awareness training:
· A 'Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) Training Package' to inform State and Local Government of the access and inclusion planning requirements of the Disability Services Act 1993. Part of this package examines DAIP Outcome 4 that 'people with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of a public authority as other people receive from the staff of that public authority'.
· DVDs - 'You Can Make a Difference to Customer Relations for People with Disability for State and Local Government' and 'You Can Make a Difference to Customer Relations for People with Disability for Hospitality, Tourism, Retail and Entertainment Industries'.
· An 'Accessible Information Training Package' outlines how to provide information in a manner that makes it as accessible for as many people as possible. Key elements of customer service covered by this package include disability and appropriate language, communicating with people with disability, communication about people with disability, positive language and disability etiquette.
3. The office of the previous Minister for Disability Services was informed of a complaint involving a man who was refused entry to a licensed premise because staff believed his speech impairment was the result of intoxication.
4. In relation to licensed premises this issue resides with the Racing, Gaming and Liquor portfolio.
More generally, the WA Equal Opportunity Act 1984 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with an impairment. A person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of their impairment can lodge a complaint with the WA Equal Opportunity Commission.
The national Disability Discrimination Act 1992 also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of disability. A person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability can lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Disability Services Commission funds a range of advocacy organisations which can assist people with disability, their families and carers raise complaints which can include complaints based on claims of discrimination on the basis of disability.
5. Outcome 4 of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans requires that "people with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of a public authority as other people receive from the staff of that public authority." The provision and timing of any disability awareness training for staff in pursuit of that Outcome is the responsibility of the individual public authority.
6. While the Commission has a budget to support the development and awareness of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans, it does not directly provide disability awareness training as government, business and community organisations are themselves responsible for training their staff.
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On its website the Commission provides a list of known disability awareness training providers.
2. The Disability Services Commission promotes the needs of all people with disability, rather than one particular group of people with disability. While not directly responsible for providing or funding disability awareness training the Commission has developed the following general resources which can assist organisations in undertaking their own disability awareness training:
· A 'Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) Training Package' to inform State and Local Government of the access and inclusion planning requirements of the Disability Services Act 1993. Part of this package examines DAIP Outcome 4 that 'people with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of a public authority as other people receive from the staff of that public authority'.
· DVDs - 'You Can Make a Difference to Customer Relations for People with Disability for State and Local Government' and 'You Can Make a Difference to Customer Relations for People with Disability for Hospitality, Tourism, Retail and Entertainment Industries'.
· An 'Accessible Information Training Package' outlines how to provide information in a manner that makes it as accessible for as many people as possible. Key elements of customer service covered by this package include disability and appropriate language, communicating with people with disability, communication about people with disability, positive language and disability etiquette.
3. The office of the previous Minister for Disability Services was informed of a complaint involving a man who was refused entry to a licensed premise because staff believed his speech impairment was the result of intoxication.
4. In relation to licensed premises this issue resides with the Racing, Gaming and Liquor portfolio.
More generally, the WA Equal Opportunity Act 1984 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with an impairment. A person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of their impairment can lodge a complaint with the WA Equal Opportunity Commission.
The national Disability Discrimination Act 1992 also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of disability. A person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability can lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Disability Services Commission funds a range of advocacy organisations which can assist people with disability, their families and carers raise complaints which can include complaints based on claims of discrimination on the basis of disability.
5. Outcome 4 of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans requires that "people with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of a public authority as other people receive from the staff of that public authority." The provision and timing of any disability awareness training for staff in pursuit of that Outcome is the responsibility of the individual public authority.
6. While the Commission has a budget to support the development and awareness of Disability Access and Inclusion Plans, it does not directly provide disability awareness training as government, business and community organisations are themselves responsible for training their staff.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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