Capel sets new inclusivity goal

Capel Shire Council is calling on residents to complete a survey to help the region become a more inclusive and accessible place.

The call to action comes after the implementation of the 2012 to 2017 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, with the returned surveys to be used to help the council develop strategies for a 2018 to 2023 plan.

Capel shire community development officer Donna Sims said the changes implemented across the past five years, both big and small, had contributed to minimising or removing inclusion barriers.

“Some of the initiatives we have achieved over the past five years include the provision of accessible and inclusive technology in shire libraries, improved ACROD parking bays and directional signage at all of our community centres and tactile indicators at significant pathways and crossings,” she said.

“We also ensured the newly installed barbecue and picnic table in the Capel Civic Precinct are accessible to people with disability.”

Miss Sims said the feedback would go a long way to help shape future plans for the shire.

“Feedback from the community will be used to assist council with creating budgets, building or maintaining infrastructure, designing public open spaces and providing services and events,” she said.

“We hope to remove any barriers that prevent a person with a disability from participating in an equitable and dignified community life.”

The survey is available at www.capel.wa.go.au or hard copies can be picked up from council libraries or the Capel shire administration building. The closing date for the survey is October 27.