YMCA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Disability Access & Inclusion Policy
Initial Endorsement by Board 16/2/2006
Reviewed – January 2009
Endorsed by Board – 26/2/2009
DISABILITY ACCESS & INCLUSION POLICY
YMCA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
MISSION
The YMCA of South Australia works from a base of Christian values to provide
opportunities for all people to grow in body, mind and spirit.
VALUES
The YMCA of South Australia is guided to achieve its Mission by the following Christian
values.
We value:

The whole person consisting of a body, a mind and a spirit each of which is of
equal importance

The dignity and intrinsic worth of all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity,
belief or other difference

Diversity of people, communities and nations

Equality of opportunity and justice for all people

Healthy communities based on relationships between people which are
characterised by love, understanding and mutual respect

Acceptance of personal responsibility.
These core values translate into four key operational values:
Honesty - Respect - Caring - Responsibility
2
DISABILITY ACCESS & INCLUSION POLICY
YMCA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
POLICY STATEMENT
The YMCA of South Australia is committed to providing access and inclusion for
persons with a disability to YMCA facilities, services, programs and activities. This
policy specifically identifies the needs, participation and rights of people with disabilities
through an integrated approach to the provision of programs and services, facilities and
governance.
In accordance with its Mission and Values, the YMCA of South Australia acknowledges
its Disability Access and Inclusion Policy as an important cornerstone for all planning
and business conducted by the YMCA of SA.
The YMCA of South Australia acknowledges and accepts its responsibilities under the
Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 to implement services and
programs which provide equitable access for people with a disability.
CONTEXT
The YMCA’s Disability Access and Inclusion Policy provides YMCA’s that are managed
by the YMCA of SA with standard policy principles. This is to ensure that all practices
reflect the YMCA’s beliefs in the value of diversity, and the importance of choice,
individual participation and a sense of belonging as a priority for each individual who
participates in its services, programs and activities.
The implementation of this policy provides the YMCA of SA with a framework for
developing goals, strategies and action plans for continuous improvement and
innovation in the area of access and inclusion for people with a disability.
The Disability Access and Inclusion Policy and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Action Plan is to be implemented in conjunction with the following YMCA of SA Policies
and commitments;







Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Policy
Code of Conduct Policy
Child Protection Policy
Recruitment and Employment Policy
Privacy and Confidentiality Policy
Grievance Policy
Social Inclusion – Statement of Commitment
The Disability Access and Inclusion Policy and related outcomes will be reviewed by the
YMCA Board every 2 years.
3
DISABILITY ACCESS & INCLUSION POLICY
YMCA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
POLICY PRINCIPLES
The YMCA of South Australia will be guided by the following Policy Principles:
Information & Education
The YMCA of SA will:
 Inform staff, Directors and volunteers to be aware of and commit to the
implementation of the Disability Access and Inclusion Policy
 provide staff, Directors and volunteers with opportunities to increase their
disability awareness
 ensure that all staff and clients are provided with appropriate levels of support to
enhance the services, facilities and employment opportunities of YMCA of SA
 encourage all external contractors, who provide goods and services on behalf of,
or in partnership with the YMCA of SA to adhere to the Disability Access and
Inclusion Policy and other YMCA of SA policies protecting the rights of people
with a disability.
Consultation
The YMCA of SA will:
 consult internally at all levels of the organisation, and externally with local
communities and people with a disability, to assist in making strategic and
operational decisions regarding access and inclusion of people with a disability.
Accessibility
The YMCA of SA will:
 identify and where appropriate, reduce barriers in its services, programs,
activities and facilities for people with a disability
 involve appropriately qualified consultants in the planning, development,
construction and maintenance of physical environments in order to increase
accessibility of YMCA of SA facilities
 provide information regarding its services, programs and opportunities in a range
of mediums to ensure that it is accessible to people with a disability
 to the best of our capacity no one will be turned away from accessing a YMCA
program due to an inability (not unwillingness) to pay.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The YMCA of SA will monitor and evaluate its Disability Access and Inclusion Policy to
enable the programs, services, activities and facilities it provides remain relevant and
accessible for people with a disability.
4