A Disability Action Plan (DAP) is a document that organisations use to reduce and remove barriers experienced by people with a disability.
The Victorian Disability Act 2006 requires all public sector bodies to have a DAP.
Public sector bodies include:
- State government departments
- Statutory authorities
- Statutory corporations.
Although they are not legally required, many community organisations and businesses are also developing a DAP.
For more information, see the register of DAPs on Australian Human Rights Commission.
Benefits of a DAP
A DAP can help reduce discrimination and increase access for people with a disability to everyday services and employment. DAPs are also useful in addressing attitudinal barriers in organisations and communities.
Common barriers include:
- Physical access to buildings
- Access to information
- Access to community services and programs
- Access to employment.
Other members of the public who may have difficulty using services might also benefit from a DAP. They include elderly citizens, parents with prams, and people with short-term injuries or health conditions.
The implementation of a DAP contributes to an organisation's obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. It also supports the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Reporting on DAP implementation
The Disability Act 2006 also requires Victorian public sector bodies and councils to report on DAPs once they've been implemented.