Council has developed a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) as a significant step towards supporting people with disability, under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) and provisions of the NSW Local Government Act, 1993. Council's action plan is for everyone with disability, their families, carers, friends, and the whole community.
On 15 June 2022, Council endorsed the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2022-2026 which took effect 1 July 2022. The DIAP outlines Council's 2022-2026 plans to make life easier for people with disability.
It explains the steps that Council, in conjunction with our broader community, will take to ensure everyone has access to services, facilities, events and information.
Read more: Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026(PDF, 19MB)
Accessible parking spaces are provided for people with disabilities 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.
A mobility disability is defined by legislation as:
- Someone who is unable to walk due to the permanent or temporary loss of use of one or both legs or other permanent medical or physical condition;m
- Someone whose physical condition is detrimentally affected as a result of walking 100 metres;
- Someone who requires the use of crutches, a walking frame, callipers, scooter, wheelchair or similar mobility aid.
MPS permits are also available to people who are permanently blind.
Permits can be issued to people three years of age and above.
There are three types of permits available under the Mobility Parking Scheme:
- Individual (blue card) - issued for five years to eligible people whose disability is permanent
- Temporary (red card) - issued for up to six months to eligible people whose disability is temporary. Temporary permits may be renewed for up to another six months (providing twelve months in total).
- Organisation (green card) - issued to organisations that provide transport to people who meet the MPS eligibility requirements. Organisation permits can only be used when parking a vehicle that's transporting an eligible person and must not be used for any other purpose.
Displaying Your Permit
You must display both your NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit (license-style card) and your Australian Disability Parking Permit (large purple card) in order to obtain parking concessions. Permits should be displayed clearly on the left-hand (passenger) side of the vehicle and be visible from the outside.
Parking Concessions
MPS permit holders can park in time limited parking areas for longer time periods. If the parking area is limited to:
- More than 30 minutes: the vehicle can park for an unlimited time.
- 30 minutes: the vehicle can park for up to two hours.
- Less than 30 minutes: the vehicle can park for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Vehicles displaying a valid permit can park in metered, coupon or ticket parking areas at no charge.
MPS permits do not allow you to stand or park a vehicle:
- Between 'no stopping' signs
- In bus, loading, construction or truck zones
Parking concessions also do not apply in privately operated car parks. To park in a designated disability parking space you must still display your valid permit and pay any fees that are applicable.
When you apply for a NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit you will also be issued with an Australian Disability Parking Permit. The Australian Disability Parking Scheme is recognised nationally and establishes nationally consistent eligibility criteria and minimum parking concessions to help reduce barriers for permit holders when travelling interstate. Provided your NSW permit is current and valid you will be able to use it in other Australian states and territories, however having national minimum standards gives states and territories the flexibility to allow additional parking concessions. If you plan on travelling interstate you should contact the relevant state or territory authority for more detailed information.
Apply for a NSW Mobility Parking Scheme Permit
To apply for a permit you will need to fill out a Mobility Parking Scheme Application Form and have a medical certificate from your doctor confirming you meet the eligibility requirements. You can download a form from the RMS website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au, pick one up in person at any RMS registry or service centre or download a form by clicking on the link below:
Mobility Parking Scheme Application(PDF, 461KB)
For more information about the ServiceNSW Mobility Parking Scheme, please contact ServiceNSW by phone on 13 77 88, visit their website, or contact one of Council's Community Development Officers on (02) 4868 0888.
Please remember that the Mobility Parking Scheme is designed to help people with genuine mobility disabilities and is not simply for convenience. You should only apply for a permit if you genuinely need one.
Application forms and keys are available at Wingecarribee Shire Council Civic Centre or at the Welcome Centre in Mittagong.
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.
As part of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s overall strategy to encourage and improve accessibility and inclusiveness for people with disability, Council has a supply of the Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) on site at the Civic Centre for purchase. MLAK key holders will have 24/7 access to MLAK keyed designated accessible public toilets across Australia.
The MLAK key 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.
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.
WSC Master Locksmiths Access Key MLAK Application(PDF, 82KB)
Disability Services Australia provides a monthly Social Saturday program with something for everyone!
Enjoy activities like putt putt golf, karaoke or excursions to the beach, Questacon and Symbio Wildlife Park, and lots more.
All activities arrive and depart from:
Southern Highlands Community Solutions Centre
Address: 21 Kirkham Street, Moss Vale, NSW 2577
For ages 16 and over, support hours are funded by your NDIS plan, but other options are available.
In Australia around 19 per cent of the population lives with disability. Add to this people living with temporary disability, their carers, family, and friends, and the number of people with an interest in accessibility significantly rises.
More than half of people aged 55 and over have difficulties with mobility, sight and hearing. 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 a customer with disability cannot get into your building or cannot access your goods and services, they could make a complaint of discrimination.
For more information, please view the flyer below:
Missed Business?(PDF, 3MB)
Can You Hear Your Smoke Alarm?
It can take less than three minutes for a fire to completely engulf a room and the risk of fatality increases as much as 60 per cent without an effective smoke alarm.
Additionally, Fire and Rescue NSW research shows that between 2000 and 2014, 56 per cent of fire fatality incidents had no smoke alarm present, with the vast majority of these fatalities occurring between midnight and 6 am.
For deaf and hard of hearing people who cannot hear a smoke alarm, specialist alarms that include a strobe light and pillow shaker are available at the cost of $20.
If you live in NSW and experience severe to profound hearing loss or know someone who does, you can apply to receive a subsidised alarm by contacting:
Deaf Society
Telephone: 02 8833 3600
TTY: 02 8833 3691
Email: smokealarms@deafsociety.com
In 1992 the United Nations declared 3 December to be a day internationally celebrated and to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of people living 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 well-being. 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, Creating and Thriving Art Exhibition will be held annually in The Atrium at Council’s Civic Centre on 3 December.
Creating and Thriving
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)
A list of useful organisations with information about disability issues:
Ageing and Disability Helpline
1800 628 221 (Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm)
Ideas
Website: http://ideas.org.au/
Free, independent disability information.
Human Rights Commission
Website: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/
A Federal Government website advocating for human rights.
National Disability Insurance Scheme - NDIS
Website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/
Supporting people with disability in Australia.
Disability Council NSW
Website: https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/advisory-councils/disability-council-nsw.html
The Disability Council NSW is the official advisory body to the NSW Government on matters relating to people with disability and disability inclusion.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Website: https://www.guidedogs.com.au
Supporting people with sight loss.
Vision Australia
Website: https://www.visionaustralia.org/
Blind and low vision services.
National Public Toilet Map
Website: https://toiletmap.gov.au/
The Toilet Map provides information on over 16,000 publicly available toilets across Australia, including accessibility, opening hours and facilities, such as showers and baby change.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year.
It’s a United Nations observed day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
To celebrate the contributions and achievements of our community, Creating and Thriving Art Exhibition will be held annually in The Atrium at Council’s Civic Centre on 3 December.
Creating and Thriving - Tania PD McInnes
Creating and Thriving - Gail Chapman
Creating and Thriving - Clinton McKeown
Creating and Thriving - Sally Waterford
Creating and Thriving - Sean Cuffe