Our approach

One in five Australians reports living with disability, including in the Georges River area. In 2021, over 8,000 (5.3%) of the population in the Georges River local government area reported needing help in their day-to-day lives due to disability. As our population ages, the number of people needing assistance is likely to increase. 

We are committed to creating a more inclusive community for all people who live, work and visit Georges River. This means ensuring all people with a disability and diverse needs have every opportunity to fully participate in and enjoy the social, business and community life of Georges River.  
 

Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP)

We have developed our Disability Inclusion Action Plan which outlines how we will be more inclusive and accessible throughout Georges River. 

The DIAP was developed through community feedback. We will undertake actions in four key focus areas:  

1. Developing positive attitudes and behaviours.
2. Creating liveable communities.
3. Supporting access to meaningful employment.
4. Improving access to services through better systems and processes.

 The 2022-2026 DIAP is also available as an Easy Read version.
 

Report an Accessibility Issue

Please report any accessibility issues in the community by lodging a customer request.
 

Access and Inclusion Reference Group

We have listened to the community needs and formed an Access and Inclusion Reference Group.

The group provides support and feedback to Council on the DIAP, to ensure all actions are progressing as per Council’s commitment. The reference group meets four times a year. 

For further information, see the Access and Inclusion Reference Group Terms of Reference. If you are interested in joining this Reference Group, please complete the Expression of Interest form.
 

Disability Interagency Network 

Bayside, Georges River and Sutherland Shire Disability Interagency is convened by three local Councils and meets quarterly over Zoom. 

The Disability Interagency aims to:  

• Increase the disability awareness and promote inclusion and accessibility in the community.
• Improve local networks and referral pathways.
• Discuss a range of disability related issues impacting the community and promote Council’s DIAP.
   

Access Maps and Accessible Facilities

Council is committed to ensuring people with disability are able to navigate our town centres and access services and facilities in the community. We are continuing to developing Mobility Maps for all our shopping precincts. Click on the links below to download a map.

• Kogarah Mobility Map
• Hurstville Mobility Map
• Mortdale Mobility Map
• Beverly Hills Mobility Map
• Penshurst Mobility Map
• Oatley Mobility Map

Public Toilet Map

We have updated this map to include new amenities that provide greater accessibility to residents and visitors. The map helps people to find accessible facilities in their local area. Click here to access Georges River Council Public Toilet Map.

You can also find accessible toilets and amenities blocks on the National Public Toilet Map. The National Toilet Map provides information on accessibility, opening hours, showers and baby change over 19,000 publicly available toilets across Australia.
 

Zero Barriers

Georges River Council is a member of Zero Barriers, which is a businesses and support project that aims to eliminate barriers for people with disability by creating a more accessible and inclusive business community.

Developed by The Multicultural Network in 2017, the project takes a practical approach, working with businesses and services to make small changes that increase their community reach and make them inclusive and accessible for people with disability and those that need help in their day-to-day lives.

In 2021, Zero Barriers was reborn through the support of NSW Councils. Zero Barriers works to:

• Educate businesses and services about accessibility and inclusion barriers encountered by people with disability.
• Support businesses and services to become more disability friendly.
• Recognise and promote businesses and services that are committed to eliminating barriers for people with disability.

If you have a business that would like to be involved, please complete the self-assessment form.

Nominations for the Zero Barriers Business Excellence Awards 2023 can be submitted on the Zero Barriers website. 
 

International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD)

IDPWD is held on 3 December each year. We acknowledge, celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability and promote inclusion in our community.

Meet Jennifer Parry - a local resident and listen to Jennifer Parry's story. She encourages us all to challenge the way we think about disability and help grow a more inclusive Georges River.
 

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

• NDIS provides a range of personalised support services to help eligible people with disability get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time.
• LaTrobe Community Health Services is the NDIS Local Area Coordinator Program. They provide assistance with the planning process, ensuring plans are implemented effectively and connecting people with disability (above 7 years of age) and their families and carers to community and mainstream services that are available in the area.
• Lifestart is the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention Program. They provide support for children aged 0-6 who have a developmental delay or disability and their families and carers.
   

Useful Links

Accesshub	Information on accessible services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and /or have a speech impairment, including mainstream communication options and 24-hour National Relay Service.
JobAccess	National hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers.
People with Disability Australia	National disability rights, advocacy and representative organisation.
Australian Human Rights Commission	Protects and promotes disability rights, investigate and conciliate discrimination complaints.
The NSW Companion Card	Allows eligible people with lifelong disability to participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their companion.
Mobility Allowance	A payment to help with travel costs for work, study or looking for work if you have a disability, illness or injury that means you can’t use public transport.
Mobility Parking Scheme	Provide special parking conditions to eligible people with disability.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme	Supports NSW residents who are unable to use public transport because of a severe and permanent disability.
Transport for NSW: People with Disabilities	Information about concession ticket types, eligibilities and how to apply.
Access Sydney Community Transport	Not-for-profit community organisation providing accessible and affordable transport services to the frail aged, people with disabilities and their carers.
Assisted School Travel Program	School students living with disability who are enrolled in school in NSW may be able to get assistance with travel.
Council for Intellectual Disability	Provides policy advice, advocacy and campaigning, community education and information programs on the rights and interests of people with intellectual disabilities.
Deaf Society of NSW	Provides specialist services for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people and their families.
Physical Disability Council of NSW	Peak NSW organisation representing people with physical disability.
Disability Support Pension	Financial help if you have a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working.
Disability Services Australia	Provides employment and community support services for people with disability.
Disability Advocacy Finder	Assists people with disability, carers and their families, to search for Commonwealth and State and Territory government funded disability advocacy agencies.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT	Provides training for people who are vision impaired to gain mobility and independence by using canes and guide dogs to get around safely.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia	Supports people living with spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.
National Disability Gateway, Ideas and Ask Izzy	Information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.
MyTime and Reframing Disability	Free support groups for parents of children with disabilities.
Carer Gateway, Carers NSW and Mental Health Carers NSW	Free support for carers.
Post School Information Booklet for Students with a Disability	Provides information about post-school options for students with disability. This resource also details information on disability service providers in the Georges River and surrounding areas.

For more information about support for people with disability, please visit Department of Social Services.
 

Contact Us

For more information about  programs and services for people with disability and carers, please contact our Community Capacity Building Team on (02) 9330 6400 or communitycapacitybuilding@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677