Help make our next Disability Inclusion Action Plan

This engagement has concluded

• Engagement Findings - Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030

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  Thank you to all who took part in our engagement for the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030. We received 229 submissions. These came from people with lived experience of disability, carers, families, support workers, service providers, and community members. Feedback included voices of children, young people, seniors, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ participants. We heard from people with non-visible, cognitive, intellectual, physical, sensory, and psychosocial disabilities. Your ideas and experiences have helped us understand what inclusion means in practice and what needs to change.

  We’ve put together several reports and summaries so you can read what people told us:

  • Full Engagement Report – 50 pages with all the details
  • Engagement Snapshot – a short overview
  • Easy Read Engagement Snapshot
  • Plain Text and Large Font Engagement Snapshot
  • Engagement Report for Children and Plain Text version
  • Engagement Report for Young People and Plain Text version

  You can access them all in the Document Library.

  Here's a summary of what we heard:

  Access to public spaces and facilities

  Uneven footpaths, steep kerbs, missing ramps, and poor signage make it hard to get around. Accessible toilets, parking for wheelchair-accessible vans, and beach access are limited.

  Community activities and social connection

  Inclusive, affordable events and programs are valued. Cost, transport, and inaccessible venues are barriers. People want sensory-friendly programs and intergenerational activities.

  Carers, families, and support networks

  Carers described challenges balancing their own needs with the demands of caring for loved ones. They asked for more support, clearer information, accessible facilities, shaded seating, and inclusive programs. They want practical features like easy-to-find parking and safe drop-off zones to make going out less stressful.

  Inclusive design and sensory needs

  Quiet spaces, calm lighting, and reduced noise are important at libraries, playgrounds, and events. People value fenced playgrounds, shaded seating, and hoists in toilets. Crowded places, loud hand dryers, and unexpected noises or lights can make people feel uncomfortable.

  Attitudes and respect

  Disability awareness, patience, and respectful behaviour matter. People want Council staff trained in accessible communication and neurodiversity.

  Information and communication

  Easy Read, Auslan videos, captions, SMS alerts, large print, and plain English summaries are needed. Information needs to be available in multiple ways. People suggested we add QR codes on signs that link to videos or instructions and making an “accessible Wollongong” map.

  Transport and mobility

  People described buses that do not pull close to kerbs, limited services at night, difficulty recognising stops, and hazards created by cluttered footpaths. Some said costly taxi fares and long waiting times reduce their independence.

  Employment and workplace inclusion

  People shared their experiences of barriers in recruitment and career development in various workplaces, wanting more flexible options and practical assessments. They would like to see more representation in Council’s workforce. Young people need supports to help them move from school or training into employment.

  Safety and independence

  Lighting, safe crossings, and clear signage help people feel safe. Hazards from e-bikes and scooters were raised. People need privacy and dignity when using accessible toilets, pool hoists and change facilities.

  Representation and trust

  People want genuine co-design, transparency, and lived experience in decision-making. Trust is especially important for communities who have experienced exclusion or difficulty accessing services.

  Engagement participation
  	1,032 Visits to the website
  	13 Printed surveys completed
  	56 Online surveys and stories completed
  	6 Emails received
  	196 Face-to-face conversations
  	65 Feedback from children and young people
  	229 Voices heard

  
  Next steps

  We’re now using this feedback to write the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030. It will include actions to make our community more accessible and inclusive. The draft will be ready early next year, and you’ll have the chance to read it and tell us what you think before it’s finalised. You will be able to see updates here and on our media channels as this project progresses.

  Thank you again for sharing your ideas and helping shape the future of inclusion in Wollongong.

  For any enquiries related to this project, please phone 02 4227 7111 or email council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au.