ACCESSIBLE ISLAND: TASMANIA’S DISABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION 2018-2021 DISABILITY ACTION PLAN 2018-2021

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEAPRIL 2018VERSION 0.1

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEDOC/18/25629

Table of ContentsTable of Contents.........................................................................................................

Foreword......................................................................................................................

Background and objective of The Department of Justice Disability Action Plan..........

Organisational context.................................................................................................

Key Outcome Areas.....................................................................................................

Consultation.................................................................................................................

Monitoring and Reporting.............................................................................................

Evaluation....................................................................................................................

Outcome area 1: Inclusive and accessible communities...........................................

Outcome area 2: Rights protection, justice and legislation......................................

Outcome area 3: Economic security........................................................................

More Information........................................................................................................

Accountabilities..........................................................................................................

2

Foreword

This Disability Action Plan gives effect to the Department of Justice activities specified in Accessible Island – Tasmania’s Disability Framework for Action 2018-2021.

A broad range of initiatives is already underway across the Department, aimed at ensuring equal access for all our clients and staff. We continue to make advances in terms of access to information, infrastructure, employment and services.

The actions set out in this plan will build on the work already underway, as well as guide our future actions. Critical to this will be linkages to the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020, which brings together many existing commitments across the justice system and supplements these with further targeted strategies.

KATHRINE MORGAN-WICKSSECRETARYDEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

3

Background and objective of The Department of Justice Disability Action Plan

Accessible Island is Tasmania’s third Disability Framework for Action (DFA) and has a four-year coverage from 2018 to 2021. The DFA is a whole-of-government approach to policy and planning, service delivery and evaluation that seeks to remove barriers and enable people with disability to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other Tasmanians.

Each Government agency is required, as part of its strategic and business planning, to prepare a Disability Action Plan (DAP) 2018-2021 that documents the way in which the commitments specified in Accessible Island will be met.

The DAP has six outcome areas. These align with the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (NDS) and to Accessible Island.

Organisational context

The Department of Justice is a large and diverse department, providing services to a very broad range of clients. People we interact with on a daily basis range from:

prisoners and community corrections clients people seeking to register major life events with Births, Deaths and Marriages people appearing in a range of tribunals and the two courts in various

capacities victims of crimes people under guardianship orders people with disability seeking to address discrimination and related matters people being treated for mental illness.

Key Outcome Areas

This Action Plan covers the following NDS outcome areas:

Inclusive and accessible communities

Rights protection, justice and legislation

Economic security.

4

Consultation

Within the agencyMembership of the Disability Action Plan Working Group includes representatives from the Tasmania Prison Service (TPS), Community Corrections, WorkSafe Tasmania, Mental Health Tribunal, the Supreme Court, Corporate Support and Strategy (Communications, Human Resources, and Property and Procurement), Equal Opportunity Tasmania, and the Office of the Secretary.

With people with disabilityThe Department of Justice provides services to a broad range of clients, including many people with disability, on a daily basis. To help inform this work, outputs have developed ongoing working relationships with people with disability and representative organisations to help inform decision-making and promote accessible service delivery arrangements. This includes, for example, a Community Reference Group which assisted and informed the development of the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania.

The Department also consults with people with disability via the Premier’s Disability Advisory Council.

A Diversity and Inclusion officer will commence in early 2018, with a focus on various cohorts, including people with a disability.

Monitoring and Reporting

Annual reports are provided to PDAC, and to the Agency Executive.

[Describe the Agency’s monitoring and reporting strategies and responsibilities, including the Disability Action Plan Working Group (DAPWG) [or the appropriate group within your Agency] and reporting to PDAC.]

Evaluation

The DAPWG will evaluate the plan on an ongoing basis to ensure that it remains current and to ensure progress against objectives.

The DAPWG will also provide regular reports to the Secretary, Department of Justice.

Agencies are required to provide an annual report on their DAP to the Premier’s Disability Council (PDAC).

In 2021, when the DAP 2018-2021 concludes, agencies will be asked to review the outcomes of their DAPs against Accessible Island.

5

6

Outcome area 1: Inclusive and accessible communities

Where we are: The Department of Justice promotes and complies with relevant Disability

Access requirements. We complement this with our proactive audit program, which comprises a rolling audit program of four audits on two owned and two leased buildings annually across our Justice locations state wide.

Tasmania is supporting the assessment of Universal Access into the National Construction Code through the Australian Building Code Board (ABCB). This process includes development of a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

All new websites and redesigns of existing websites are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) compliant to level AA.

We have developed templates for websites that meet WCAG standards and will mean it is much easier to revise existing sites or create new ones ensuring they are accessible. 

We have developed Web Publishing Standards that clarify accessibility requirements for web publishing

We will continue to:

Tasmania has actively promoted increased accessibility over the last 12 months, including conducting specific industry forums to demonstrate the use of access principles. Planning is underway for a further forum in Hobart later this year.

Consult the community and key audience groups to inform the continuous improvement of access to online information and services.

Emerging issues:

Although html pages and designs comply with WCAG 2.0, many documents, reports, forms and publications do not. As access to online services via handheld devices increases, this is becoming more of an issue. (Relates to action 1.34)

Actions

DFA No.*

Output/brief description

Outcome Who (lead) Key dates/milestones

Comments

1.1 Conduct appraisals to monitor the compliance of our buildings with the Disability Discrimination Act

Compliance of Department of Justice buildings with DDA and Building Code of Australia.

Property and Procurement

Ongoing audit program

7

1992 (Cwth) (DDA) and relevant provisions of the Building Code of Australia.

1.4 Ensure new building works and upgrades at the Tasmanian Prison Service meet building requirements for disability, unless an exemption is necessary for security reasons.

Compliance of Tasmania Prison Service building works and upgrades with requirements for disability, unless exemption is necessary for security reasons

Property and Procurement/Tasmania Prison Service

Ongoing

1.5 Provide reasonable workplace modifications for employees with disability as identified through individual occupational assessments.

All employees with a disability to have access to all necessary reasonable workplace modifications.

Human Resources

Ongoing.

1.6 Promote the Tasmanian Government Accessible Events Guidelines and Checklist to agencies and event organisers in receipt of Government funding.

All agencies and event organisers in receipt of Government funding to be aware of the Tasmanian Government Events Guidelines and Checklist.

Communications

Ongoing.

1.8 Promote the universal design principles in procurement for public and social housing.

Increased awareness and application of the universal design principles in procurement for public and social housing.

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

Ongoing.

1.17 Work with the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and Guide Dogs Tasmania to ensure access to transport for assistance dogs

People with disability with Assistance Dogs will have access to public transport

Equal Opportunity Tasmania(with State Growth as lead)

Ongoing

1.19 Support people with Stronger All agencies Ongoing

8

disability, their families and carers to build and strengthen supportive networks within the community.

support networks within the community to build and strengthen supportive networks in the community.

1.20 Ensure government volunteering programs and opportunities are accessible to people with disability and align with national volunteering guidelines. Raise awareness of the capacity and contribution of people with disability as volunteers.

All Department of Justice volunteering programs and opportunities to be accessible to people with disability and align with national volunteering guidelines.

All agencies Ongoing

1.23 Build working relationships with disability organisations and service providers to provide information and advice on disability issues. This will inform service delivery and policy development and provide a feedback mechanism for people with disability

People with disability will help inform changes to service delivery arising from the implementation of the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020 including feedback on the impact of service adjustments on people with disability.

All agencies Ongoing 1.23

1.24 Consult with people with disability on the design and implementation of Tasmanian Government policy and legislation.

Tasmanian Government policy and legislation to incorporate consultation feedback from people with disability.

As required

1.26 Ensure State Planning Policies guide the location of development based on proximity to health and community

State Planning Policies that guide the location of development based on

Policy Planning Unit

Ongoing.

9

services, the surrounding transport network, residences and community use areas (e.g. parks).

proximity to health and community services, the surrounding transport network, residences and community use areas.

1.29 Work with Tasmanian Government statutory authorities, state owned companies and government business enterprises to achieve the outcomes of Accessible Island.

Full implementation of Accessible Island outcomes.

All agencies Ongoing

1.31 Develop a Tasmanian Government strategy for digital innovation and ICT that will take into account the need to ensure government digital and ICT services are accessible by customers and staff.

A Tasmanian Government strategy for digital innovation and ICT that takes into account the need to ensure government digital and ICT services are accessible by customers and staff.

All agencies DoJ will participate as requested.

1.32 Collaborate across government to share lessons learned and ensure a consistent approach in the maintenance, rebuild and design of intranet and internet sites.

A consistent approach across government to maintenance, rebuild and design of intranet and internet sites.

All agencies;Communications and Web Services (DOJ)

Ongoing The office of eGovernment has convened a working group to look at the future direction of websites (intranet and internet) across government.There is also an informal network across government that gets together to discuss these

10

issues.

1.33 Work towards achieving WCAG 2.0 guidelines for all online material.

WCAG 2.0 Guidelines for all online material.

All agencies;Communications and Web Services (DOJ)

As required

1.34 Participate in a pilot, at DPAC, of an online WCAG 2AAA compliant HTML service that allows for the streamlined production of accessible content on screen readers and consistent reading template for mobile devices.

WCAG 2AAA compliant HTML service that allows for the streamlined production of accessible content on screen readers and consistent reading template for mobile devices.

All agencies;Communications and Web Services (DOJ)

As required Progress of this action will be dependent on DPAC. DoJ will participate as requested.

1.35 Improve readability of our information by:

continuing to build on organisational capability by offering both Plain English and Easy Read training opportunities and tools for web content and document authors;

reviewing the accessibility of online forms; and

Improved readability of Department of Justice information.

Communications and Web Services

Ongoing. We regularly offer training in plain English to staff as well as web accessibility. Some areas within DoJ, including Equal Opportunity Tasmania, have made available Easy Read documents.Where parts of DoJ are looking for training or Easy Read conversion of documents we refer them to external providers.

11

Outcome area 2: Rights protection, justice and legislation

Where we are:We have already:

Supported the development and roll-out of the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020

Established at the TPS the role of High Needs Support Counsellor – Disability.

Established a Case Management group within the TPS to address the needs of prisoners identified as having a disability.

We will continue to: Develop Case Management Processes within the TPS and in conjunction with

CPHS and Community Corrections to individually case manage prisoners with a disability and connect them with appropriate services and supports upon release.

Develop means to identify prisoners with Disabilities. Review the current DSO to include actions and outcomes from the Disability

Justice Plan Implement the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020.

Emerging issues: The number of prisoners identified as having a cognitive disability or an

acquired brain injury through the Induction Prison is beginning to outstrip the capacity of the TPS to Case Manage these individuals. This issue will be exacerbated as other disabilities are screened for and identified.

There is a need to ensure strong links with other Departments and Community Organisations to meet the needs of offenders with disabilities both in prison and in the community.

There is a need to ensure that mainstream service systems, including safeguarding frameworks, are well equipped to deal with people with disability, including those not in receipt of NDIS packages.

Actions

DFA No.*

Output/brief description Outcome Who (lead) Key dates/milestones

Comments

2.1 Coordinate and monitor the implementation of measures outlined in the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020. This will include

Successful implementation of the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020.

Administration of Justice

Completed implementation of Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania

12

the:

Department of Justice (DoJ) (including the Victims Support Service, Magistrates and Supreme Courts, Mental Health Tribunal, Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, Corrective Services (Tasmania Prison Service and Community Corrections) and Legal Aid);

Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management

Department of Health and Human Services; and

Tasmanian Health Service (THS).

2017-2020 by 2021.

2.2 Report annually to PDAC on the implementation of the Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania 2017-2020.

Office of the Secretary

Ongoing.

2.3 Provide effective responses from the criminal justice system to people with disability who have complex needs or increased vulnerabilities.

Criminal justice system that effectively responds to people with disability who have complex needs or increased vulnerabilities.

TPSCourtsCommunity CorrectionsODPP

Ongoing.

2.4 Improve support for people with an intellectual disability, cognitive impairment or mental illness in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system, and on leaving it.

Improved support for people with an intellectual disability, cognitive impairment or mental illness in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system, and on leaving it.

TPSCourtsCommunity CorrectionsODPP

Ongoing.

13

2.5 Maintain and strengthen protections and supports for people with disability who experience, or are at risk of experiencing, violence, sexual assault, abuse and neglect.

Increased protection and support for people with a disability who experience, or are at risk of experiencing, violence, sexual assault, abuse and neglect.

Administration of Justice

Ongoing. Link to Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania (action 9), Review and if necessary amend any legal barriers to the prosecution of offences involving violence, sexual exploitation, abuse or neglect against people with a disability

2.6 Ensure people with disability have the opportunity to participate in the civic life of the community – as jurors, board members and elected representatives.

Increased participation by people with disability in the civic life of the community.

Administration of Justice

Ongoing. Link to Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania

2.7 Support independent advocacy to protect the rights of people with disability.

Protection of rights of people with disability.

Administration of Justice

Ongoing. Link to Disability Justice Plan for Tasmania (action 12), Ensure access to advocacy and communication support for people with disability in the justice system.

2.8 Further the relationship with NDIA and service providers to ensure that prisoners with disability are provided with the support they require post-release.

Prisoners with disability provided with the support they require post-release.

TPS Ongoing.

2.9 Review the Tasmanian Updated TPS Review

14

Prison Service’s Director’s Standing Order in relation to prisoners with disability.

Standing order on Disability

completed by December 2018.

15

Outcome area 3: Economic security

Where we are:We have already:

greatly increased our understanding of the need for workplace adjustments, and the benefits of flexible working arrangements and a diverse workforce more generally.

our eLearning and Face-to-Face induction packages deal with disability, and disability awareness is being included in the Recruitment and Selection Panel eLearning package

Additional material as advice is provided to managers about the support for people with disabilities and this is evident by the increasing number of employees recruited from a Disability Employment Provider.  Advice is also provided to managers in relation to any workplace adjustments required for employees.

We will continue to: Roll out training packages

Emerging issues: N/A

Actions

DFA No.*

Output/brief description Outcome Who (lead) Key dates/milestones

3.1 Implement the Tasmanian State Service Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Framework 2017-2020 and develop specific plans in each Agency.

Full implementation of the Service Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Framework 2017-2020 by the Department of Justice.

All agencies Implementation of Service Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Framework 2017-2020

3.2 Facilitate stronger relationships and identify placements in collaboration with Disability Employment Service providers.

Stronger relationships, and increased placements, with Disability Employment Service Providers.

Human Resources

Ongoing.

3.3 Build an inclusive and diverse workplace by:

developing an online

An inclusive and diverse workplace within the Department of

Human Resources

Ongoing.

16

resource to support all applicants to access information about applying for State Service jobs; and

working with agencies and community groups to identify barriers and initiatives/opportunities to support people with disability who are working or wish to work in the State Service.

Justice.

3.4 Work with agencies to:

roll out the Workplace Adjustment Policy Template;

access training and other tools to increase awareness of unconscious bias and inclusive leadership;

improve awareness and use of flexible work across the State Service;

include workforce diversity outcomes as a component of the performance management of senior leaders; and

improve the ability of Human Resource systems to collect self-identified workforce diversity data to support workforce planning and reporting.

More inclusive workplace

Human Resources

Ongoing.

3.6 Establish an annual stakeholder survey for community and agency stakeholders to provide feedback on progress of the Diversity and Inclusion Framework and propose new initiatives.

Annual stakeholder survey to provide feedback on progress of the Diversity and Inclusion Framework and propose new initiatives.

All agencies Ongoing.

3.7 Seek opportunities to collaborate with local government, business and the not-for-profit sector to share our experience and identify new opportunities.

Collaboration with local government, business and the not-for-profit sector to share our experience

All Ongoing

17

and identify new opportunities.

3.9 Continue to support the National Disability Services JobsABILITY and BuyAbility initiatives.

n/a All Ongoing.

3.12 Consider recommendations from the Australian Law Reform Commission in relation to powers of attorney, and continue to educate people about guardianship and power of attorney issues.

Response to recommendation and possible implementation of reforms. Improved awareness in relation to guardianship and power of attorney issues.

Kim Barker/Rowena Holder

Response to recommendations. Ongoing.

18

More Information

For further information about the Department of Justice Disability Action Plan 2018-2021 please contact:

Julia Hickey, Manager, Office of the Secretary

Accountabilities

Implementation Disability Action Plan Working Group

Compliance Agency Executive

Monitoring and Evaluation

Agency Executive

Development and/or Review

Disability Action Plan Working Group

Policy HistoryApproved by and date Agency Executive

Disability Action Plan

Working Group chair

Julia Hickey

Commencement date April 2018

Document control

DOC/18/25629

Published on: 16 April 2018

Evaluated:

Review date: April 2019

19