DIMIA Annual Report 2004-05
Commonwealth Disability Strategy
ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE COMMONWEALTH DISABILITY STRATEGY
In the context of the reporting framework for the Commonwealth Disability Strategy, the department undertakes the roles of policy adviser, purchaser, provider and employer. Those of policy adviser, provider and employer have been examined for the purposes of this report.
Policy adviser role
Work on the department's Disability Action Plan is progressing in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. As well as demonstrating our commitment to the elimination of disability discrimination, the completed plan will ensure the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in our policies, programs and services.
Provider role
The department's Client Service Charter addresses the broad principles of the revised Commonwealth Disability Strategy by informing clients that we will take into account any special needs they identify.
A review of our Client Service Charter was undertaken in 2004. The revised charter will be published in a number of formats to cater for a diverse range of clients, including clients with a print disability.
The department also redesigned its client contact card. In consultation with the National Library Service, the card was redesigned in late 2004 in a large print format using contrasting colours, to assist clients with a visual impairment. The contact cards are available from all departmental offices and have been distributed to Migrant Resource Centres Australia-wide.
The department's websites are specifically designed for accessibility by vision and motor impaired clients. These websites are more than 95 per cent compliant with Braille text readers. In 2004-05, we redesigned more than 75 per cent of content, structure and navigability across all our websites and have achieved substantial compliance with both Government online targets and World Wide Consortium (W3C) web content accessibility guidelines.
Detention services contracts in operation during 2004-05 required the Detention Services Provider to ensure appropriately qualified personnel identify, respond to and address the special needs of detainees with a disability. Initial health screening facilitates early detection of detainees with a disability and provision of appropriate support. All detainees with a disability have an individual detainee care plan and access to appropriate equipment and facilities.
Detainees with a disability are provided with accommodation to suit their needs. The development plans for new detention centres, and upgrades and improvements to existing centres incorporate these considerations consistent with relevant national building codes.
Alternative detention arrangements are considered for detainees with a special need on a case-by-case basis. Where the department receives professional advice that the detainee is unable to be adequately cared for within detention facilities, the option of release from detention on a bridging visa is considered. The Migration Amendment (Detention Arrangements) Act 2005, which came into effect on 29 June 2005, provides for more flexible detention arrangements for detainees, including for minors, families and those with special needs such as a disability.
Employer role
No requests have been made for a review of action this year in matters linked to disability.
One complaint was received by a departmental Harassment Contact Officer relating to disability.
In 2001, the department entered into a 15-year lease in Belconnen to accommodate its central office functions. The building was completed in November 2004 and is now fully functional.
In signing the lease, we required that the building meet maximum standards under the Building Code of Australia and relevant legislation relating to disabled services. This included exceeding building code requirements for car parking, showers and toilets and certification for ramps, gradients, tearoom facilities, passageways and doors.
Features are included to assist sight and hearing-impaired people in elevators and facilities for the hearing-impaired people are available in conference rooms. All provisions have passed independent evaluation and certification.