Playford’s New Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP)

A Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) is a document that outlines how Council will improve access to our services, spaces, and information so that people with disability can fully participate in community life.

All South Australian councils must have a DAIP under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 and review it every four years. With a new State Disability Inclusion Plan on the way, we’re aligning our next plan with these new directions and national strategies.

The new State Plan outlines 5 key areas we’ll align to:

1. Access – being part of community life
2. Opportunity – learning, working and financial inclusion
3. Support – access to tailored services
4. Wellbeing – health and quality of life
5. Justice – equal rights and protection

Our new DAIP will also align to key national and state priorities, including:

• Australia’s Disability Strategy (2021–2031)
• SA Autism Strategy (2024–2029)
• Findings from the Disability Royal Commission
• NDIS reforms and legislative changes
• The National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Each level of government plays a unique role in supporting people with disability:

• Federal Government – Oversees the NDIS, disability income support, and national strategies like Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031
• State Government – provides accessible transport, runs hospitals and public health services, manages housing programs, inclusive education and sets out its own State Disability Inclusion Plan
• Local Government (like us!) – is closest to the community. In Playford that means ensuring accessible public spaces, inclusive libraries and events, safer footpaths and local services that supports everyday connection.

Working together with state and federal governments helps us do more because each one has a different role in supporting people with disability. 

• Access is about the practical things—can you get into the building, read a sign, attend an event, or navigate a website?
• Inclusion is the experience—do you feel safe, welcomed, and respected?

Community engagement on the DAIP will be delivered in three phases throughout 2025: 

•  Phase 1 (June): Exploratory engagement will help shape the development of the new DAIP.  
•  Phase 2 (October - TBC): A check-in with the community to ensure feedback has been interpreted accurately and to refine elements of the draft DAIP. 
•  Phase 3 (December): A final stage to ‘close the loop’ by sharing the endorsed DAIP and outlining next steps. 

The final DAIP will include measurable targets and milestones. It will align with Council’s Strategic Plan 2025–2028, and we’ll monitor progress closely to track change and guide future improvements. We will keep our community informed of how we are going. 

Feedback from the State Inclusion Plan consultation called for a stronger focus on identifying the current needs, risks, barriers, and strategies required to support priority cohorts, particularly those who often face overlapping forms of disadvantage. The DAIP aims to address these needs by engaging meaningfully with people with disability who are:  

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  

• Women 

• Children 

• LGBTIQA+ 

• People with significant intellectual disability  

In addition to these priority groups our key stakeholders include: 

• City of Playford community 

• Elected Members 

• Access and Social Inclusion Group (ASIAG) 

• Council staff and volunteers 

• Disability/community service providers. 

We’re offering a range of ways for you to provide your feedback:

• Complete our survey – available online (including an Easy Read version) or as a hard copy.
• Join a small discussion group – share your lived experience in a safe, inclusive space.
• Get in touch your way – call us, send an email, or share your feedback however you feel most comfortable.

No matter how you choose to be involved, your voice matters.

We’ll bring together all feedback into a draft DAIP and check back with the community before finalising. The plan will be submitted to the State Government and publicly shared on Council’s website by the end of 2025 or early 2026.