Council commits to improve access and inclusion
Monday 4 December 2017
Council commits to improve access and inclusion
Horowhenua District Council has
committed to improve access and inclusion for all people in
the District, regardless of age, ethnicity, ability or
sexual orientation.
The Council adopted the Horowhenua Access and Inclusion Plan at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on Monday 27 November.
The plan, developed by the Horowhenua Access and Inclusion Forum and endorsed by the Council's Community Wellbeing Committee, serves as a guide and work plan for championing access and inclusion across the District.
It sets four outcome areas and six priority projects as a focus for the Forum's activities. These were identified through a review comprising workshops, focus groups, interviews and surveys. Over 100 individuals and representatives of more than 30 agencies and groups were consulted, including government agencies, disability sector staff and community groups.
The four outcomes areas are: access, attitudes, health, and choice and control.
Priority projects include:
•
establishing the relocated Jack Allen Hub as a champion site
for access and inclusion
• a public awareness
inclusion campaign, Live Well Horowhenua
• a
welcoming community campaign, Haeremai Horowhenua
•
accessibility advocacy and action, including providing
navigation advocates to assist in accessing services and
constructing the first fully-accessible public
toilets
• emergency preparedness collaborative
campaign and kits
• support for inclusion and
choice in education, employment and activities,
including:
o collaborating with Youth Network on
employment opportunities
o collaborating with Education
Horowhenua to research learner support in schools and
after-school options
o seeking funds for inclusive
activities
"Horowhenua's population is ageing and
becoming more diverse. In addition, 27 per cent of the
Manawatu-Whanganui region's population identify as having a
disability or impairment, which is higher than the national
average. We need deliberate and considered planning to
ensure equal opportunities and outcomes; this action plan
provides that", Community Development Advisor Helen Hayes
said.
The action plan will be reviewed in 2020.
Copies of the Horowhenua Access and Inclusion Plan are available on the Strategies and Action Plans page of the Council's website, www.horowhenua.govt.nz and Council's customer service centres.
ENDS