Accessibility & Disability
Inclusive Highlands: Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Council is pleased to introduce our new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which sets out our commitment to creating a more inclusive community where all people with disability are respected, involved and supported.
On 20 May 2026, Council endorsed the Inclusive Highlands: Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2026 - 2030 which will take affect 1 July 2026.
This Plan reflects Council’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility and safety. It also reflects our desire to encourage people with disability to participate fully in the social life of our Shire, to exercise choice and control, and have their abilities, aspirations and changing needs recognised.
Our Plan is underpinned by the principles and objectives of the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014. It also supports state, national and international commitments to support people with disability and promote inclusion.
The commitments outlined in this Plan are especially important given the additional challenges that people with disability may experience when living in a regional area. With our main towns and outlying villages, accessible infrastructure, transport, information and services are essential to ensuring people with disability can participate fully in social and economic life. Council would like to thank everyone who was part of this process.
You can view the Inclusive Highlands: Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 by clicking on the links below.
Inclusive Highlands: Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030(PDF, 1MB)
Accessible parking
Accessible parking spaces are provided in Council car parks for people with disability who require extra space to exit or enter their vehicles or require close proximity to certain places due to mobility problems.
The Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) provides parking concessions to people with mobility disabilities.
ServiceNSW issues a licence-style card that includes your photo and other security features to protect the integrity of the scheme. To park in accessible parking bays you must hold a mobility permit.
Disability parking permits in NSW
Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK)
The Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) is an innovative system that enables people with disability to gain 24/7 access to a network of public facilities.
Eligible people with disability can purchase an MLAK key which opens all accessible toilets displaying the MLAK symbol and will allow access to over 350 facilities throughout NSW. An MLAK sign is attached to those facilities fitted with MLAK.
A limited number of keys are available for eligible residents to purchase from Council at $25.00.
Applications for the key through Council are restricted to people with disability who live in the Wingecarribee Shire, limit one key per applicant. The key is not transferable and is only to be used by the person to whom it has been issued. Application forms and keys are available at Wingecarribee Shire Council Civic Centre or at the Welcome Centre in Mittagong.
Eligible people with disability who don't reside in the Wingecarribee Shire can purchase MLAK keys directly through the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia National Support Office. You can complete an order form online or print the order form to complete and return to them via post.
Please refer to The National Public Toilet Map for a list of public amenities within our Shire. This website also provides information on the location, opening hours and availability of wheelchair access for more than 14,000 public and private amenities across Australia.
Accessible Toilet MLAK Key Application for Wingecarribee residents
Disability service providers and activities
There are a number of disability services that operate in the Wingecarribee Shire area.
Many of these are listed on Council's MyShire Community Directory.
You can also find information about the events and activities these services provide on MyShire.
If you are a service provider, you can promote your events and services for free on MyShire.
MyShire Community Directory
Accessibility at your business
Around 4.4m people in Australia – approximately 18 per cent of the population – have disability. Add to this people with temporary disability, their carers, family, and friends, and the number of people with an interest in accessibility significantly rises.
Providing good access to your business will benefit anyone with disability as well as the wider community.
Improving access to your business will also help meet your legal responsibilities. In Australia, the law states that customers with disability should be able to access your goods and services just like any other customer.
If customers with disability cannot get into your building or cannot access your goods and services, they could make a complaint of discrimination.
The following guide provides information about improving the accessibility of your business, including a checklist and some easy ways to improve accessibility for your customers and staff.
Missed Business: How to attract customers and staff by providing better access(PDF, 3MB)
International Day of People with Disability
In 1992 the United Nations declared 3 December to be an international day to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of people with disability.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) brings together individuals, businesses and community organisations to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions, skills, and achievements of people with disability.
The day aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and support dignity, rights, and wellbeing. It also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
To celebrate the contributions and achievements of our community, the Creating and Thriving Art Exhibition is held annually in The Atrium at Council’s Civic Centre throughout December.