FaHCSIA Disability Action Plan 2006-2009
Inclusive Consultation Guidelines
What is effective consultation?
Effective consultation is incorporating and seeking the views of our diverse community.Why consult?
In 1998, people with disabilities made up 19% of the Australian population. Many of these have specific needs that are not always obvious to those of us developing policies and programs and providing services. Including these people will ensure that we can produce better policies, programs and services and is also likely to reduce the causes for complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.When should we consult?
Targeted consultations with people with disabilities are necessary when:- Disability specific policies, programs or services are being developed or changed; and
- Whole community policies, programs or services which may have direct impacts on people with disabilities are being developed or changed.
When a whole community policy, program or service impacts equally on all, specific targeting of people with disabilities is not necessary. However, people with disabilities are a significant part of the population and they should be included as part of any broadly representative consultations.
Who should we consult?
The disability community consists of people with disabilities, their families, carers, advocates and service providers. These people may be from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, or may live in rural or remote areas. Ideas about how to contact these people are listed in the Commonwealth Disability Strategy Kit at Inclusive consultation: a practical guide to involving people with disabilities. The CDS website also lists a range of national peak disability organisations.What consultation method should we choose?
Time, resources and scope of the issue will determine the best method. See the CDS Kit for benefits and disadvantages of the methods listed below and suggestions for improving access for people with disabilities:- Reference Groups
- Ministerial Advisory Council
- Steering Committees
- Public Meetings
- Small Groups
- Surveys and one to one interviews
Inclusive consultation means consultation at every stage
Planning
- Develop a clear and appropriate terms of reference for consultations
- Allow longer lead times
- Provide financial assistance
- Provide alternative care services
- Advertise in accessible media (see CDS Kit Checklist)
- Book accessible venues (see CDS Kit Checklist)
- Use results of previous consultations to improve credibility and efficiency
Conducting
- Ensure that the sample reflects the diversity of the community
- Select an appropriate consultant with creditability in the disability community
- Provide accessible information, consider electronic HTML format, easy English, large print, audio tapes and languages other than English
- Receive feedback in accessible formats and including disk, audio tape, e-mail, and TTY
- Give feedback on outcomes in accessible formats, ask what would work best.
Evaluating
- Did you meet the objectives of the consultation?
- Did you include a representative sample of people with disabilities?
- Did you meet the needs of and listen to people with disabilities?
Need Help?
See Inclusive consultation: a practical guide to involving people with disabilities in the Commonwealth Disability Strategy Kit.The Commonwealth Disability Strategy website lists a range of national peak disability organisations you may wish to consult during policy/program development or review.
See the Register of Providers of Information in Accessible Formats. The register lists companies able to convert information into accessible formats such as Braille, easy English, large print, audiocassette and accessible electronic formats.
For advice on accessible electronic formats (and web design), visit the Australian Government Information Management Office website.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity website provides comprehensive information on the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
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