Disability Inclusion Plan launched this week

WESTERN NSW Local Health District launched its Disability Inclusion Plan on Monday this week, to mark its inaugural Disability Awareness Week.

The plan focused on improving access to services and facilities for people with a disability, and on creating environments that are inclusive and enable positive experiences.

Western NSW Local Health District chief executive, Scott Mclachlan, said that the District wanted to ensure that everyone in the community was able to get the care they needed in places that were accessible and welcoming.

“We are committed to supporting and including people with disability at all of our facilities and services,” said Mr Mclachlan.

“Across our district, 55,000 people have disability and this plan will improve the experience that those people, their carers and our staff have with our health service. We want people with disability, and all people, to be recognised and treated with respect and dignity,” he said.

Western NSW Local Health District Disability Inclusion Plan Ambassador, Ben Austin OAM, is one of Australia’s most successful and recognised Paralympian swimmers. Ben was born in Wellington and was in Dubbo to attend the launch.

“Inclusion and acceptance are so important in overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals and it’s fantastic to see the local health district taking a crucial step towards this,” Ben said at the launch.

“The Western NSW Local Health District Disability Inclusion Plan will empower people to have the confidence to recognise their disability and disclose this information when they interact with health services,” he said.