Disability and Inclusion Action Plan: 2026-2030

Celebrating diversity - supporting and enhancing inclusivity in our community

Did you know…

Around 10,000 people in Sutherland Shire need assistance with disability? This includes physical, intellectual and sensory disability, chronic illness and mental health conditions (Census data).

More than 22,000 of our residents provide unpaid caring to people with disability.

That’s why it’s so important we do everything we can to foster inclusive attitudes, liveable communities, meaningful employment, and accessible systems for all.

Council has prepared a draft Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for 2026-2030 and we'd love your feedback.

Take the short survey

This new draft DIAP is informed by diverse feedback from our community and

Did you know…

Around 10,000 people in Sutherland Shire need assistance with disability? This includes physical, intellectual and sensory disability, chronic illness and mental health conditions (Census data).

More than 22,000 of our residents provide unpaid caring to people with disability.

That’s why it’s so important we do everything we can to foster inclusive attitudes, liveable communities, meaningful employment, and accessible systems for all.

Council has prepared a draft Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for 2026-2030 and we'd love your feedback.

Take the short survey

This new draft DIAP is informed by diverse feedback from our community and staff in 2025.

It builds on our current DIAP with the aim of advancing disability inclusion across all aspects of Council’s work.

Have your say by 3 April 2026:

We’re sharing the draft plan to check that we’re on the right track, or if there’s anything we’ve missed.

Your insights are helping build a Sutherland Shire where everyone is valued, included and empowered - thank you!

Click here to take the survey

  • Online via the short survey below.
  • Email: Community Impact Team on communities@ssc.nsw.gov.au
  • In-person or by phone: Contact Kiana Haag on (02) 97100407 to discuss or arrange a time to meet.

Next steps: Your feedback will be reviewed and used to help finalise our DIAP before it is presented to Council for review and adoption by mid-2026. We’ll keep our community updated on progress.

Image: Front cover of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, artwork by Holly Connor, 2024 Youth Award Winner, ShireABILITY Art Award 2024.

  • Consultation results available


    Image of flyer promotion of DIAP

    Council consulted with the community between 3 March to 3 April 2026 about our draft Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP): 2026-2030.

    This consultation focused on sense-checking the draft plan’s vision statement, its focus areas and actions before it is finalised and reported to Council for adoption.

    Channels used:

    • Social media posts and advertising
    • Join the Conversation website
    • Leader newspaper advertising
    • eNewsletters
    • Flyers
    • Emails to service organisations and partners

    Engagement overview:

    • 27 surveys completed
    • 809 aware via our Join the conversation webpage
    • 759 engagements (click thru) on social media posts and ads

    What we heard:

    • 89% agree with the vision statement.
    • At least 78% agreed with all four focus areasSocial media advertising
    • Participants highlighted opportunities to improve everyday accessibility across the Shire.
    • Some participants would like to see clearer detail on actions, priorities and how progress will be measured.
    • Some participants felt there were opportunities to strengthen communication and community involvement in both shaping the plan, and ongoing monitoring and reporting.


    How confident are you that Council’s goals and actions for 2026-2030 will lead to better disability access and inclusion in Sutherland Shire?
    From the 24 respondents:



    		 Very confident or somewhat confident



    		Not very, or not at all confident



    		Not sure / don't know


    - 11% were very confident; 52% somewhat confident; 18.5% Not sure/ don’t know; 15% not very confident; 3.7% not at all confident

    What's next?

    Council will review and consider community feedback to help finalise the draft. Priorities may be refined and then submitted to Council for adoption in June 2026. We will keep our community informed about our progress.

    The DIAP will be published on the Sutherland Shire Council website and made available in accessible formats, including an easy read version, a screen reader–compatible version, and an auslan‑interpreted summary video.

    Council is required to provide a copy of the finalised Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 to the Minister for Disability Inclusion for review by 1 July 2026.

    Council must also submit the relevant section of its Annual Report to the Minister and progress reports will be tabled quarterly at Council’s Access and Inclusion Reference Group.


    Artwork by Holly Connor, winner of ShireABILITY Youth Award 2024, animated with permission:


    Image of flyer promotion of DIAP

    Council consulted with the community between 3 March to 3 April 2026 about our draft Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP): 2026-2030.

    This consultation focused on sense-checking the draft plan’s vision statement, its focus areas and actions before it is finalised and reported to Council for adoption.

    Channels used:

    • Social media posts and advertising
    • Join the Conversation website
    • Leader newspaper advertising
    • eNewsletters
    • Flyers
    • Emails to service organisations and partners

    Engagement overview:

    • 27 surveys completed
    • 809 aware via our Join the conversation webpage
    • 759 engagements (click thru) on social media posts and ads

    What we heard:

    • 89% agree with the vision statement.
    • At least 78% agreed with all four focus areasSocial media advertising
    • Participants highlighted opportunities to improve everyday accessibility across the Shire.
    • Some participants would like to see clearer detail on actions, priorities and how progress will be measured.
    • Some participants felt there were opportunities to strengthen communication and community involvement in both shaping the plan, and ongoing monitoring and reporting.


    How confident are you that Council’s goals and actions for 2026-2030 will lead to better disability access and inclusion in Sutherland Shire?
    From the 24 respondents:



    		 Very confident or somewhat confident



    		Not very, or not at all confident



    		Not sure / don't know


    - 11% were very confident; 52% somewhat confident; 18.5% Not sure/ don’t know; 15% not very confident; 3.7% not at all confident

    What's next?

    Council will review and consider community feedback to help finalise the draft. Priorities may be refined and then submitted to Council for adoption in June 2026. We will keep our community informed about our progress.

    The DIAP will be published on the Sutherland Shire Council website and made available in accessible formats, including an easy read version, a screen reader–compatible version, and an auslan‑interpreted summary video.

    Council is required to provide a copy of the finalised Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 to the Minister for Disability Inclusion for review by 1 July 2026.

    Council must also submit the relevant section of its Annual Report to the Minister and progress reports will be tabled quarterly at Council’s Access and Inclusion Reference Group.


    Artwork by Holly Connor, winner of ShireABILITY Youth Award 2024, animated with permission:

Page last updated: 13 May 2026, 03:56 PM