SALHN Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026-2029 (HTML version)


Foreword

At SALHN we strive for exceptional care, operating within our values of Empathy, Trust and Inclusion.

SALHN is proud to share our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026-2029.

This plan reflects SALHN’s commitment to supporting people living with a disability, promoting a culture of accessibility and ensuring inclusive environments throughout our organisation and services. We are working to improve access to healthcare for people with diverse needs and enhancing disability awareness amongst staff, volunteers, consumers and the wider southern community.

SALHN provides care for more than 375,000 people living across southern Adelaide and from other catchments when accessing statewide services. In 2022, 7.9% of all Australians had a profound or severe disability (ABS census data), it is vital that we deliver services that meet the diverse needs of people with disability, their carers, families, and the community as a whole.

This plan outlines our priorities and actions for the next four years. We have engaged our community, consumers and staff in preparing the plan, and commit to ongoing consultation and co-design as we progress and implement our actions. By working together, we improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.

Our actions under this plan will ensure people with disability have improved access to quality healthcare throughout the lifespan, promote an inclusive and diverse workforce and align to statewide strategies detailed within the State Disability Inclusion Plan 2026 to 2029.

Delivering on the plan is the responsibility of our whole organisation, supported by our leadership teams, clinical staff, volunteers and community partners.

* This document features people living with disability, recognising that disability is not always visible.

Kerrie Mahon - Chief Executive Officer

Helen Tedesco - Chief Strategy Officer

Kirsty McDowall - Executive Director, Allied Health and Intermediate Care

Vision

  • Striving for exceptional care

Purpose

  • Working together to improve health and wellbeing for the communities we serve

Values

  • Empathy - Compassion, communication and connection is central to how we care
  • Trust - We do what we say, and deliver on our commitments
  • Inclusion - We are part of the communities we serve and we work with others to do our best

Executive Summary

Our vision

The SALHN Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2026-2029 has been developed in partnership with consumers, community, staff and leadership. The plan aligns to and will support achievement of SALHN’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027, to deliver accessible and equitable care to people with disability and enhance disability awareness amongst staff and consumers.

Implementation of the plan will leverage strategic priorities and enablers, to achieve the key outcomes identified through the plan development and consultation processes.

Key themes from our consultation process were:

  • Embedding disability inclusion as a core safety, quality and workforce imperative
  • Creating accessible, inclusive environments
  • Strengthening workforce capability, culture and psychological safety
  • Ensuring safe care and emergency readiness for people living with disability
  • Promoting integrated care through enhanced transitions, navigation and partnerships for people living with disability
  • Strengthening governance, data, accountability and reporting for disability access and inclusion

Throughout this document, the term disability could refer to any person with long-term physical, mental, cognitive, intellectual, or sensory impairments. People living with disability have unique and varying identities, and we acknowledge the intersectionality of disability, age, gender, race, sexuality and cultural background in their experience.

Language

We recognise that individuals have different preferences regarding identity-first (for example “disabled person”) and person-first (for example “person living with disability”) language. SAHLN respects and supports these preferences. SALHN has used the term "people living with disability" throughout this document.

Our Staff

Approximately 1% of the SALHN workforce identify as living with a disability, with 59% of those employees engaged under permanent employment arrangements.

SALHN is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and safe workplace where individuals and teams are supported to thrive. This commitment is demonstrated through the Workforce Wellbeing Plan and its associated actions.

Our Achievements

SALHN is strengthening disability access and inclusion through targeted governance, clinical, workforce, and infrastructure initiatives. Key achievements include refreshing the Disability Governance Committee to improve action-based outcomes, and establishing the Disability Stakeholder Reference Group in November 2025, ensuring informed decision making through lived experience input from people with disability, consumers, carers, and staff.

Inclusive clinical practice is being advanced through the implementation of the Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard, consideration of disability inclusions in SALHN procedures and guidelines, and the delivery of new models of care, including the CareAbility Service, Youth Rehabilitation Transition Clinic, and Inclusive Care Clinic.

Workforce capability is being strengthened with dedicated new roles and exploring capacity of roles with disability expertise and knowledge.

Accessibility is being embedded in new and refurbished facilities, including sensory rooms, enhanced PICU environments, wheelchair accessible rehabilitation spaces, and inclusive indoor and outdoor recreational areas, supporting safe, equitable and person centred care.

Strategic Alignment

The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan is strongly aligned with the SALHN Strategic Plan 2023-2027 priority areas:

YOU, ME, US

Equity – Aiming to provide accessible and equitable care free from discrimination, reducing barriers for consumers living with a disability, their carers and families.

Partnerships – Partner and build relationships with government and community stakeholders to strengthen the healthcare services available to consumers living with a disability, their carers and families.

Quality – Better understand and address the needs of consumers who may be experiencing vulnerability, complexities and responsive behaviours. Uplift our practice of “Goals of Care” and “What Matters to You” to help advocate for consumers living with a disability.

Innovation & Research – Provide staff opportunities to bring about change through research, addressing the barriers for consumers living with disability. Opportunities to try new ways and develop a whole of life approach to the care needs of people with disability will improve patient experience and outcomes.

Education & Learning – Engaging with our workforce to identify gaps and create targeted learning packages to empower our staff to provide appropriate care to people living with a disability.

Workforce – Embedding inclusive practices to enable people with disability to fully participate in a diverse range of roles, committees, and workplace activities.

Enablers

Technology: Digital initiatives in health can produce significant benefit for patients and healthcare providers. Benefits can include improved patient outcomes, reduction in preventable harm, improved appropriateness of health care, improved patient centeredness, increased opportunities for monitoring and quality improvement. The ability to access a comprehensive single view of a patient and be able to share clinical data across systems and care teams enables us to deliver higher-quality care and better use our resources.

Infrastructure: SALHN faces significant challenges with aging infrastructure. We acknowledge the steps required to accomodate inclusive, accessible design and services for people living with a disability and/or medical conditions which impact their way of life now and into the future.

Sustainability: Partnering with our consumers and staff to increase and sustain disability awareness and strengthen our processes in how we provide care. We will continue to monitor and evaluate our performance through the Disability Governance Committee and the Disability Stakeholder Reference Group.

Disability Governance: The Disability Governance Committee is a passionate group of staff and consumer representatives. It provides collaborative leadership and coordination to ensure a whole of SALHN response in supporting the diversity and inclusion of people living with a disability who access our services and sites, including consumers, their families and carers and the SALHN workforce.

The Disability Stakeholder Reference Group (DSRG) informs SALHN about the health care views, needs and issues impacting people with disability. Through collaborative leadership, transparent communication, and active participation, this group provides guidance on how SALHN can become more inclusive of the disability community, including consumers, their families, carers, and the SALHN workforce.

Introduction

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) provides acute, sub-acute, community, mental health and statewide health services across the lifespan within hospital, community and home-based settings. Our catchment within the Southern Adelaide region is home to more than 378,000 community members, set to grow to over 415,000 by 2036. The growth necessitates service and footprint expansion to reflect this, including new and innovative ways of working to remain sustainable.

SALHN Sites and Services

Our hospitals and sites include:

  • Flinders Medical Centre
  • Repatriation Health Precinct
  • Noarlunga Hospital
  • GP Plus Clinics (Marion, Noarlunga and Aldinga)
  • Aboriginal Family Clinics (Noarlunga and Clovelly Park)
  • Jamie Larcombe Centre
  • Drug and Alcohol Services SA sites (multi-site statewide service).

SALHN is committed to improving access to healthcare and improving the health outcomes of consumers living with a disability and acknowledges our role in reducing the health disparity for people with a disability in our community.

The plan plays a critical role in safeguarding and upholding the fundamental rights of people with disabilities through measurable actions to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity while removing barriers to access healthcare.

Southern Adelaide Community

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) completed its inaugural Local Area Needs Assessment (LANA) to comprehensively understand the health needs and priorities of the local southern community. Findings indicated that southern Adelaide’s population is expected to grow from 378,111 in 2021 to 416,759 by 2036/37, with significant growth in the 75+ age group. The region’s diverse community faces varying levels of socio-economic disadvantage, with both ageing and socio-economic disadvantage known to contribute to poorer health outcomes and increased demand for public healthcare services.

Southern Adelaide has higher rates of many diseases or health conditions, and health risk factors compared to the South Australian (SA) average. For example, certain suburbs within the Onkaparinga region rank amongst the most disadvantaged areas in SA and Australia. The Onkaparinga region experiences higher rates of unemployment, social benefits, and numerous health challenges, including elevated rates of smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and disease prevalence compared to SA.

People living with Disability

The table below shows rates of disability within specific local council areas compared to the South Australian average.

Holdfast Bay

All people with a profound or severe disability (including long-term accommodation)

  • 0-64 - 843 (3.2%)
  • 65+ - 1,583 (16.4%)
  • All - 2,426 (6.7%)

People with a profound or severe disability and living in community

  • 0-64 - 769 (2.9%)

  • 65+ - 1,034 (10.7%)

  • All - 1,803 (5.0%)

Marion

All people with a profound or severe disability (including long-term accommodation)

  • 0-64 - 2,787 (3.7%)
  • 65+ - 3,398 (19.5%) - higher than SA rate
  • All - 6,185 (6.7%)

People with a profound or severe disability and living in community

  • 0-64 - 2,762 (3.7%)
  • 65+ - 2,506 (14.4%) - higher than SA rate
  • All - 5,268 (5.7%)

Mitcham

All people with a profound or severe disability (including long-term accommodation)

  • 0-64 - 1,264 (2.4%)
  • 65+ - 2,341 (17.1%)
  • All - 3,605 (5.5%)

People with a profound or severe disability and living in community

  • 0-64 - 1,204 (2.3%)
  • 65+ - 1,648 (12.0%)
  • All - 2,852 (4.3%)

Onkaparinga

All people with a profound or severe disability (including long-term accommodation)

  • 0-64 - 6,219 (4.6%) - higher than SA rate
  • 65+ - 5,772 (17.2%)
  • All - 11,991 (7.1%) - higher than SA rate

People with a profound or severe disability and living in community

  • 0-64 - 6,195 (4.6%) - higher than SA rate
  • 65+ - 4,587 (13.7%)
  • All - 10,782 (6.4%) - higher than SA rate

South Australia

All people with a profound or severe disability (including long-term accommodation)

  • 0-64 - 53,637 (3.9%)
  • 65+ - 63,956 (18.8%)
  • All - 117,593 (6.9%)

People with a profound or severe disability and living in community

  • 0-64 - 52,893 (3.9%)
  • 65+ - 48,874 (14.3%)
  • All - 102,767 (6.0%)

People living with profound or severe disability in long term accommodation and in the community, 2021.

The southern Adelaide region had 10,094 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants in 2022. The participation rate was higher in Onkaparinga (3.0 ASR per 100 people) and Marion (2.9 ASR per 100), compared to SA (2.7 ASR per 100). Both regions also had the largest total number of participants at 5,173 in Onkaparinga and 2,630 in Marion.

Across all areas in southern Adelaide, except for Marion, the proportion of people aged 15 years and over who are carers providing assistance to people with a disability is greater than the SA rate, with the highest being within Mitcham.

Legislation & Policy

The SALHN Disability Access and Inclusion Plan aligns with international, national and state disability legislation and policy.

People with Disability

National

  • Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031
  • National Autism Strategy 2025-2031
  • Disability Royal Commission (DRC)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • NDIS Review
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992

International

  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

State

  • Disability Inclusion Act 2018
  • State Disability Inclusion Plan 2025-2029
  • SA Autism Strategy 2024-2029
  • Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs)
  • Equal Opportunity Act 1984

Domains

The plan sets organisational intent and priorities for improving, access, inclusion, safety and experience for people with disability. It includes five domains which represent areas of priority and focus identified as part of the state consultation process and are applicable to state and local government agencies across South Australia. In some instances actions and measures may be relevant to more than one domain and are documented in each.

The State Plan includes a wide range of actions because it is a whole‑of‑government plan. Many actions are intended for central agencies or system‑level delivery and therefore do not apply directly to LHNs. LHNs are only accountable for Disability Access and Inclusion Plan actions that align with their operational role in delivering health services.

Domain 1: Inclusive environments and communities

All people with disability can participate as equal citizens and feel connected to their communities.

SALHN strives to have equitable, accessible and inclusive health services and environments where staff, consumers, carers and their families feel welcome and are included in their healthcare decisions.

SALHN Actions to support Domain 1:

  1. Establish accessibility and inclusion as standard considerations in planning, engagement and service activities

  2. Embed expectations for inclusive attitudes and behaviours into everyday interactions and workforce culture, considering cultural responsiveness for Aboriginal consumers and priority cohorts
  3. Consider accessible design for all refurbishments and new build that strengthen access by systematically improving information, communication, navigation and wayfinding in accessible and alternative formats
  4. Apply structured partnership and consultation approaches with people with disability and community
  5. Identify and address priority accessibility barriers in health environments, including core amenities that support dignity, privacy and access (such as toileting and changing facilities)
  6. Strengthen emergency preparedness and response to address access, communication (including AAC and interpreting supports) and mobility needs.

Domain 2: Education and Employment

All people with disability benefit from inclusive educational experiences, equitable employment opportunities and financial security.

SALHN supports people with disability in employment and transitional pathways and is strengthening education and training opportunities to increase awareness and knowledge.

SALHN Actions to support Domain 2:

  • Enable accessible participation and transitional pathways for people with disability, including volunteering and supported participation opportunities
  • Strengthen inclusive recruitment, participation and employment practices to reduce barriers for people with disability including accessible and transitional participation pathways
  • Consider workplace practices that support safe disclosure, reasonable adjustments and participation
  • Strengthen workforce capability to deliver trauma informed, disability inclusive care across the lifespan, including for children and young people with disability
  • Use disability related experience, safety and workforce data to drive service improvement, including workforce, access and safety indicators reported through existing governance and quality systems.

Domain 3: Personal and community support

All people with disability can access quality, tailored, personal and community supports addressing their individual needs.

SALHN partners with consumers, carers and their families and other agencies in the patient journey to provide inclusive appropriate care, responsive to consumer needs.

SALHN Actions to support Domain 3:

  1. Strengthen coordination, transitions and navigation across services through inter-agency collaboration and information sharing.
  2. Embed inclusive care planning and shared decision making within routine clinical and discharge processes.
  3. Embed practices that recognise and support carers and families as essential partners in care
  4. Use disability related experience, safety and workforce data to drive service improvement, including workforce, access and safety indicators reported through existing governance and quality systems.

Domain 4: Health and wellbeing

All people with disability can attain the highest possible health and wellbeing outcomes throughout their lives. 

SALHN provides safe high quality healthcare and values the wellbeing of consumers, carers, their families and staff.

SALHN Actions to support Domain 4:

  1. Identify and address priority accessibility barriers in health environments, including core amenities that support dignity, privacy and access (such as toileting and changing facilities.
  2. Strengthen workforce capability to deliver trauma informed, disability inclusive care across the lifespan, including for children and young people with disability.
  3. Review and strengthen models of care and pathways to ensure flexibility, cultural safety and responsiveness to disability related needs including for Aboriginal people with disability and priority cohorts.
  4. Use disability related experience, safety and workforce data to drive service improvement, including workforce, access and safety indicators reported through existing governance and quality systems.

Domain 5: Safety, rights and justice

All people with disability feel safe, have their rights upheld and have full and equal protection before the law.

SALHN enables consumers, carers, their families and staff to feel safe and that their rights are upheld.

SALHN Actions to support Domain 5

  1. Strengthen emergency preparedness and response to address access, communication (including AAC and interpreting supports) and mobility needs.
  2. Strengthen disability inclusive, least restrictive responses to distress and escalation. Increasing accountability and organisational learning.

Consultation & Stakeholder Engagement

The plan has been developed through extensive consultation, and a wide range of perspectives were brought together to inform and shape SALHN’s actions and measures.

We actively consulted with people from a range of priority groups to ensure diverse lived experience perspectives were heard. Some of these groups were:

  • Aboriginal people with disability
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • Women and children with disability
  • LGBTIQA+ people with disability
  • People with significant intellectual disability or high vulnerability
  • People with disabilities living in regional communities.

Consultation also occurred with established SALHN governance and reference groups ensuring oversight, accountability, and expert consumer input. These groups included Disability, and Mental Health Stakeholder Reference Groups and the Disability Governance Committee.

The SALHN workforce was engaged through staff surveys, internal stakeholder meetings and a staff forum. This provided multiple avenues for staff to identify organisational barriers and highlight opportunities for cultural and practical change.

Community voices were gathered through multiple safe engagement channels, including listening posts, workshops, and a consumer survey.

Engagement with DHS and DHW communities of practice further strengthened our consultation process, promoting cross-sectoral learning, alignment and system wide improvements. This broad consultation practice demonstrates how we embed SALHNs vision “You, Me, Us” to inform clear, practical and achievable actions that will improve access, inclusion and equity for people with disability across all of SALHN.

You said, we listened

Consumers

“I’d like communication about what to expect (appointments, ED wait times, processes, what the next step is)”

“Peer Workers make such a difference!”

“Use examples of a disabled diverse workforce – digital storytelling – show stories of diverse workforce options and peoples lived experience”

“Poor discharge coordination and fragmentation between services”

“Reduce the carer burden by having coordinated supports post discharge - it can make a huge difference”

“Young people also shared a strong need for being centred in decision making processes and opportunities for their voice to be heard, not just their parents”

“An accessible healthcare service means you can access it in any way and any place; it is culturally safe and understands the hierarchy of families”

“Avoiding repetition - having to repeat the same story and medical history it can be triggering”

Workforce

“We have a clear lack of education on all levels which impacts how we engage with people living with disabilities.”

“Training program on communicating with neurodivergent clients would be helpful for most staff. This should be done by a person who has that lived experience.”

“I would like further training in key word signing to support our clients who would benefit.”

“Lived experience is always valuable. It would be great to have consumers with disabilities share their experiences with clinicians. This will assist clinicians in understanding the good and the bad from the consumer's perspective, leading to improvement in care provision.”

“Ongoing staff focus; awareness and education will continue to promote the importance of holistic care for those with a disability.”

“I offered a client with poor hearing a digital screen that translates words”

"My management are very proactive and supportive in finding ways for me to work effectively and efficiently without making me feel "special" or "different" which still challenges me. I always feel heard"

Disability Stakeholder Reference Group

“We feel other groups are included in design planning such as Infection Control, WHS. We would like people managing disabilities to be included in planning.”

“Lived experience influencing new builds including things like furniture and seating - example – I could not get out of the seats! Looked pretty but not functional or accessible!”

“Appointment letters need to cut through the jargon and get to critical information”

“As a Carer and person with a disability, I like to have knowledge my support workers can attend if need be.”

“Understand that disability can be invisible”

“At triage – allow “safe & private” space for people living with a disability to disclose it or not”

“Retelling your story is traumatising - I just want to voice note my needs and have it sent to them!”

“I just don't want to be a troublemaker or a burden asking for my basic needs”

“Equipment access - I couldn’t take my wheelchair in the ambulance which I would need in Emergency to get around - so I went in an access cab”

Implementing the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan

Implementation of the plan will be delivered over the next four years, guided by a phased approach to support sustainable implementation. The plan details our objectives, timeframes, targets, success measures and responsible leaders to ensure the delivery of accessible equitable care to our consumers experiencing disability.

The plan will be embedded in day to day operations and progress monitored by responsible owners and their teams following a reporting schedule to the Disability Governance Committee, Clinical Council, Executive Leadership Committee, Board Clinical Governance Committee and Governing Board. An annual progress report will be provided to South Australia’s Department of Human Services.

Accessibility & Feedback

The plan is available to staff via the internal SALHN SharePoint page and consumers via the public facing SALHN website. It is available in easy read, Auslan and web based accessible versions. If required in an alternative format, please contact health.salhnalliedhealth@sa.gov.au.

We will continue to partner with consumers, carers and their families, community groups, and the SALHN workforce to evaluate and monitor performance, and inform new strategies to support the plan.

Acknowledgments

We thank our staff, consumers, community groups, providers and key stakeholders for their contributions to the development and ongoing implementation of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.

SALHN Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Action Plan

Domain 1: Inclusive environments and communities

Executive Intent: to remove avoidable barriers that prevent people with disability from accessing, navigating and participating in SALHN services and activities by embedding accessibility and inclusion into everyday planning, environments and interactions.

Outcome Statement: A South Australia where all people with disability can participate as equal citizens and feel connected to their communities.

Objective: To influence community attitudes to remove discrimination and build a South Australian community that values difference and respects the contributions people with disability make to our communities. This includes ensuring the community itself is fully accessible.

Priority areas and outcomes

1.1 Active participation - People with disability are active participants in accessible and inclusive communities.

1.2 Inclusive communities and attitudes - People with disability are respected and included in their communities, where inclusive attitudes and behaviours and widely demonstrated.

1.3 Universal design - Everyone in South Australia can access and enjoy inclusive and accessible natural and built environments.

1.4 Accessible facilities - People with disability can access public toilet facilities that meet their needs when out in the community.

1.5 Communications and information - People with disability can find the information they need in the format(s) they need it in.

1.6 Transportation - People with disability can get to where they need to go safely.

1.7 Collaboration, consultation and innovation - People with disability are actively involved in government decisions that affect their lives.

1.8 Housing - People with disability have access to appropriate housing.

Action 1

  • Establish accessibility and inclusion as standard considerations in planning, engagement and service activities.

Timeframe: 2026   

Responsibility: CSO

State Plan Measure: 1.1.2   

  • The number of inclusive and accessible events, both internal and external, with 50+ people following best practice event management principles. For example, the Accessible and Inclusive Community Events Toolkit (PDF 1064KB).
  • Accessibility considerations are documented early in engagement and planning activities, with evidence of inclusive design and participation by people with disability.

Action 2

  • Embed expectations for inclusive attitudes and behaviours into everyday interactions and workforce culture, considering cultural responsiveness for Aboriginal consumers and priority cohorts.

Timeframe: 2027, ongoing review

Responsibility: ED AH, ED AH&ICS, CSO, CPO, Clinical Directors, CSO

State Plan Measure: 1.2.1  

  • The number of initiatives undertaken to promote disability inclusion and improve community attitudes towards people with disabilities in the community, including:
    • The number of staff and volunteers participating in disability awareness training, including Universal Design.
  • The number of initiatives undertaken to promote disability inclusion and improve community attitudes towards people with disabilities in the community, including:
    • The number of workplace initiatives promoting disability inclusion.

State Plan Measure: 1.2.2

  • Proportion of people with disability who report feeling valued and respected in their community.

State Plan Measure: 1.2.3

  • The number of actions embedded in our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan working towards Closing the Gap targets.
  • Improved consumer experience of dignity and respect, supported by workforce reported confidence in inclusive practice.

Action 3

  • All refurbishments and new builds will align with the National construction code (NCC), Disability (Access to premises-buildings) Standards, and the Australian Health Facility Guidelines (AusHFG) to support the delivery of inclusive, accessible environments. This includes accessible information, communication, navigation and wayfinding, and equipment designed and placed for safe, equitable and independent use.

Timeframe: 2027, ongoing review   

Responsibility: ED IS&DH, ED AH&ICS, CSO, COO

State Plan Measure: 1.3.2

  • The number of public-facing government buildings, spaces, play spaces and infrastructure that are modified to improve accessibility.
  • The number of new developments that incorporate Universal Design.

State Plan Measure: 1.5.1

  • The number of resources or materials that have been developed in accessible formats. For example, websites that meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 level AA accessibility standard or above, Auslan translations and Easy Read documents.
  • Increase in priority consumer information available in accessible formats with improved consumer feedback on ability to understand and prepare for care.

Action 4

  • Apply structured partnership and consultation approaches with people with disability and community.

Timeframe: 2027, ongoing review

Responsibility: ED AH, ED AH&ICS, ED ICCP, CSO

State Plan Measure: 1.7.1

  • The number of public consultations that included and sought input from people with disability, including engagement with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).

State Plan Measure: 1.7.2

  • The number of people with disability including parents and carers, serving on committees and working groups.
  • Evidence that consumer and lived experience input has directly informed access, environment or inclusion decisions.

What this means for people with disability

  • Services that are easier to access and navigate
  • Clearer information before arriving onsite
  • More respectful and inclusive interactions
  • Greater opportunity to influence decisions that affect access

Domain 2: Education and employment

Executive Intent: to reduce systematic barriers to employment, participation and progression for people with disability, by strengthening inclusive recruitment, workplace practices and career development within SALHN.

Outcome Statement: A South Australia where all people with disability benefit from inclusive educational experiences, equitable employment opportunities and financial security.

Objective: To ensure equal opportunity to learning and earning is achieved by addressing the barriers and obstacles people with disability of all ages continue to face at all levels of the education and employment experience.

Priority areas and outcomes

2.1 Targeted knowledge, understanding and support - People with disability are supported by a South Australian education workforce that has knowledge and skills to meet their needs and help them succeed.

2.2 Supports and resources for children and young people - Children with disability feel valued, welcomed and have access to inclusive education, starting in the early years.

2.3 Targeted transitional supports - People with disability have supportive environments to learn, grow and transition throughout their life.

2.4 Access to employment opportunities - People with disability have opportunities to achieve, develop and succeed in their chosen fields.

2.5 Inclusive working environments - People with disability have access to supportive places to earn.

2.6 Data and reporting - People with disability benefit from state authorities working to improve disability data at both state and national levels.

Action 5

  • Enable accessible participation and transitional pathways for people with disability, including volunteering and supported participation opportunities.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: CSO

State Plan Measure: 2.3.5

  • The number of initiatives taken to encourage people with disability to volunteer.
  • Evidence of accessible participation and volunteering pathways for people with disability supported through inclusive role design and partnerships.

 Action 6

  • Strengthen inclusive recruitment, participation and employment practices to reduce barriers for people with disability including accessible and transitional participation pathways.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO

State Plan Measure: 2.4.3

  • The number of organisational changes adopted to improve inclusive recruitment for people with disability. For example, tailoring roles to fit individuals and employer incentives.
  • Workforce and participation feedback indicates recruitment and participation pathways are accessible, inclusive and fair.

Action 7

  • Consider workplace practices that support safe disclosure, reasonable adjustments and participation.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO

State Plan Measure: 2.5.1

  • The number of workplace practices implemented to support people with disability to have equal opportunities for growth and success, including support to remain in employment. For example, outcome-based employment, flexible work arrangements, workplace adjustments and mentoring programs.
  • Increased staff confidence to disclose disability or caring responsibilities and access adjustments.

What this means for people with disability

  • Fairer access to employment, volunteering and transitional participation pathway opportunities
  • Safer disclosure and better workplace support
  • Clear pathways for development and leadership

Domain 3: Personal and community support

Executive Intent: To improve care coordination, transitions and support for people with disability by strengthening inclusive planning, system coordination and partnerships across the health and community settings.

Outcome Statement: A South Australia where people with disability can access quality, tailored personal and community supports addressing their individual needs.

Objective: To build a service system in South Australia that takes a person-centred approach that recognises the contributions and potential of all people with disability.

Priority areas and outcomes

3.1 Accessibility - People with disability can easily access community supports and services.

3.2 Advocacy and supports - People with disability are supported to make their own choices and use advocacy when needed to protect and promote their rights.

3.3 Information sharing - People with disability receive more coordinated and effective support when services work together and share information.

3.4 Family and carer support - Carers and families, including siblings of people with disability are provided with dedicated supports and services.

3.5 Programs - Government-funded programs and services include disability-specific provisions to enable full and equal participation.

Action 8

  • Strengthen coordination, transitions and navigation across services through inter-agency collaboration and information sharing.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, ED ICCP, Executive Sponsor NS5/NS6, Clinical Directors

State Plan Measure: 3.1.1

  • The number of initiatives and improvements made to connect people with disability to community supports and services wherever they present. For example, referral hubs, mobile outreach, online information platforms, frontline worker training, and partnerships with community organisations.

State Plan Measure: 3.3.1

  • The number of inter-agency meetings and initiatives to support the implementation of the State Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.
  • Improved consumer and carer experience of discharge and transitions.

Action 9

  • Embed inclusive care planning and shared decision making within routine clinical and discharge processes.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: Executive Sponsor NS5/NS6, ED AH&ICS

State Plan Measure: 3.2.1

  • Improved consumer reported involvement in care decisions and planning.

Action 10

  • Embed practices that recognise and support carers and families as essential partners in care.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED N&M, CSO

State Plan Measure: 3.4.2

  • The number of dedicated supports established to support carers and families.
  • Improved carer reported experience of inclusion and support.

What this means for people with disability

  • Greater involvement in decisions about care
  • Safer, clearer transitions between services
  • Better coordination between hospital and community supports
  • Carers recognised and supported as partners in care

Domain 4: Health and wellbeing

Executive Intent: to improve safety, experience and outcomes for people with disability by strengthening how health environments, workforce capability and modes of care respond to diverse disability related needs. This includes recognising the distinct experiences and needs of Aboriginal people with disability and children and young people with disability and strengthening culturally safe and age-appropriate care.

Outcome Statement: A South Australia where all people with disability can attain the highest possible health and wellbeing outcomes throughout their lives.

Objective: To have a well-connected health and mental health sector that is easy to access, navigate and interact with for all people with disability.

Priority areas and outcomes

4.1 Inclusive infrastructure - People with disability have full access to, and inclusion within health infrastructure.

4.2 Targeted knowledge, understanding and support - People with disability can access healthcare that is inclusive and responsive to the intersectionality and diversity of disability, recognising the important role of carers.

4.3 Supports and interventions - People with disability receive coordinated health supports that meet their needs, with stronger connections between mental health and disability services.

Action 11

  • Identify and address priority accessibility barriers in health environments, including core amenities that support dignity, privacy and access (such as toileting and changing facilities).

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED IS&DH, ED AH&ICS

State Plan Measure: 4.1.1

  • The number of healthcare settings audited and the proportion that are compliant.
  • Proportion of toilet facilities across SALHN that meet accessibility standards for adults, children and young people and/or a designated Changing Places facility.
  • Improved consumer and staff feedback regarding comfort, dignity and accessibility.

Action 12

  • Strengthen workforce capability to deliver trauma informed, disability inclusive care across the lifespan, including for children and young people with disability.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, CD W&C, ED N&M

State Plan Measure: 4.2.1

  • The number and proportion of healthcare workers equipped with the knowledge, skills and trauma informed principles to confidently support people with diversity of disability within the healthcare setting. For example, training and self-reporting surveys.

State Plan Measure: 2.2.1

  • The number of children with disability accessing early intervention services, including children in out-of-home care.
  • Increased staff confidence across age groups, with improved experience feedback from children, young people and families.

Action 13

  • Review and strengthen models of care and pathways to ensure flexibility, cultural safety and responsiveness to disability related needs including for Aboriginal people with disability and priority cohorts.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH, ED AH&ICS, Clinical Directors, ED ICCP

State Plan Measure: 4.2.2

  • The number of culturally responsive support services and programs available for people with disability, including Aboriginal health workers and supports for regional communities.
    Note: Culturally responsive services are defined by Aboriginal communities, guided by policies like Closing the Gap, and include trained staff.

State Plan Measure: 4.3.1

  • The number of pathways in place for people with disability that provide an option of tailored coordination and navigation to meet their needs.
  • Reduced escalation or delays linked to pathway inflexibility.

Action 14

  • Use disability related experience, safety and workforce data to drive service improvement, including workforce, access and safety indicators reported through existing governance and quality systems.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: CPO, CSO, ED AH&ICS, ED Research, EDMS, ED N&M

State Plan Measure: 4.3.2

  • The number of procedures and guidelines that uphold the rights of people with disability.

State Plan Measure: 2.6.2

  • Development and implementation of data collection and reporting systems.

State Plan Measure: 3.5.1

  • The number of grants and funding amount distributed to enhance disability inclusion.
  • Evidence that disability related data, research and innovation inform quality improvement and governance decisions.

What this means for people with disability

  • Care environments that feel safer and less distressing
  • Staff better equipped to understand and respond to needs
  • More flexible, person-centred care pathways
  • Improvements driven by lived experience and feedback

Domain 5: Safety, rights and justice

Executive Intent: to ensure people with disability feel safe, respected and supported within SALHN health services, with strong safeguarding, preparedness and accountability.

Outcome Statement: A South Australia where all people with disability feel safe, have their rights upheld and have full and equal protection before the law.

Objective: To improve the safety and overall experience of people with disability coming into contact with our emergency services, criminal justice and civil law systems.

Priority areas and outcomes

5.1 Targeted knowledge, understanding and support - People with disability are understood, supported, and have their rights upheld, including within the justice system.

5.2 Responding to emergencies - People with disability are kept safe during emergencies, with their needs planned for and prioritised.

5.3 Support and navigating the justice system - People with disability receive the right supports for them when navigating the justice system.

5.4 Consultation and collaboration - People with disability are involved in the design and delivery of policies, programs and laws.

5.5 Safeguarding - People with disability can access effective, inclusive and responsive safeguarding supports and services.

Action 15

  • Strengthen emergency preparedness and response to address access, communication (including AAC and interpreting supports) and mobility needs.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: COO, ED ICCP, ED AH&ICS

State Plan Measure: 5.2.1

  • The number of emergency response resources and systems developed for people with disability.

State Plan Measure: 1.5.2

  • The number of Auslan, assistive listening devices, and augmentative and alternative communication services provided to meet support needs, including at emergency presentations. For example, during hospital emergencies, crisis services, bushfires, or floods, where timely communication support is essential.
  • Improved disability inclusive preparedness identified through drills, reviews and post incident analysis.

Action 16

  • Strengthen disability inclusive, least restrictive responses to distress and escalation. Increasing accountability and organisational learning.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, ED N&M, COO

State Plan Measure: 5.5.3

  • The number and type of authorised restrictive practices.
  • Reduction in repeat escalation events and reliance on restrictive practices.
  • Evidence of organisational learning leading to system or practice change.

What this means for people with disability

  • Feeling safe and more respected during care
  • Better support during emergencies
  • Greater confidence that rights are upheld and harm is reduced.

Glossary and Definitions

Ableism - The belief system that underlies the negative attitudes, stereotypes and stigma that devalue persons with disabilities on the basis of their actual or perceived impairments.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) - Not-for-profit bodies initiated and governed by local Aboriginal people to deliver tailored, culturally safe services Organisations (ACCOs).

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - Ways to communicate other than speech. These might be body movements or gestures, sign language, technology such as computers or tablets, communication books or printed materials.

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights - The Charter describes what consumers, or someone they care for, can expect when receiving health care. These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia. This includes public and private hospitals, day procedure services, general practice and other community health services.

Autism - Is a neurological developmental difference that impacts the way an Autistic person sees, experiences, understands and responds to the world. Every person’s lived experience of Autism is different.

Carer - A person who provides personal care, support and assistance to another individual who needs it because the individual has a disability, medical condition (including a terminal or chronic illness) or mental illness, or they are frail and aged. An individual is not a carer merely because they are a spouse, de facto partner, parent, child, other relative or guardian of an individual, or live with an individual who requires care. A person is not considered a carer if they are paid, a volunteer for an organisation or caring as part of a training or education program.

Closing the Gap - A government strategy and a national agreement focused on improving life outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.

Co-design - Is a focused service improvement approach of consumer-centred planning, decision making, production and design; where new services or service reviews are determined in partnership with consumers who use them and may be affected by them.

Community Engagement - Community engagement refers to the processes and connections between government, communities and consumers in the development and implementation of policies, programs, services and projects. It encompasses a wide variety of government-community interactions ranging from information sharing to community consultation and in some instances, active participation in government decision making. It incorporates public participation, with people being empowered to contribute to decisions affecting their lives, through the acquisition of skills, knowledge and experience.

Consumer - A consumer is a person who has used, or may potentially use, health services, and includes family and carers. A healthcare consumer may also act as a consumer advocate or representative to provide a consumer perspective, contribute to consumer experiences, advocate for the interests of current and potential health service users, and take part in decision-making processes. Consumers are commonly identified by health services as patients, clients, participants or service users at point of care.

Consumer Engagement - Consumer engagement refers to health consumers, their family and carers, actively participating in:

  • Their own individual care
  • Healthcare planning and decision making
  • Evaluating policy governance and safety and quality processes
  • Healthcare monitoring and evaluation.

Cultural Responsiveness - An active, ongoing approach that recognises the importance of cultural diversity, aiming to integrate this understanding into policies, practices, and interactions.

Cultural Safety - An environment, service, or workplace that is respectful, inclusive, and free of racism or discrimination, allowing individuals to feel safe, empowered, and have their identity respected.

Disability Stakeholder Reference Group (DSRG) - Disability Stakeholder Reference Group is a group of members with whom the majority are people with lived experience, including their families/carers. They represent, communicate, and advocate for the views, needs, concerns, and aspirations of people with disability across SALHN’s platforms and governance structures.

Disaggregated Data - Information that has been broken down into smaller groups to show differences between them. This can include categories like age, gender, cultural background or location.

Diversity - In the context of this strategy, diversity means ensuring inclusion of the voices and experiences of the broadest range of individuals, groups and circumstances including but not limited to:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and the diversity within Aboriginal cultures
  • People of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
  • People living in regional and rural remote communities
  • People living with disability (such as people with physical, sensory, intellectual and cognitive
    disability)
  • People who have lived or living experience of mental illness
  • LGBTQIA+ communities
  • Older Australians
  • Children and young people
  • People in prison
  • Trauma affected persons
  • Religious and spiritual groups and belief systems
  • Emerging communities (such as new migrant communities, refugees including those who have experienced torture, trauma, grief and loss)
  • Veterans

Domains - The key priority areas of the State Plan, shaped by emerging themes identified during statewide consultation. Domains guide the focus of actions to improve access and inclusion for people with disability.

Engagement - Engagement within the health context refers to an active and sharing relationship between health services, consumers, carers and community groups, which can become a partnership. Effective and active partnerships exist when:

  • People are treated with respect
  • Information is shared and explored with them
  • Participation and collaboration in healthcare processes are encouraged and supported to the extent consumers choose

Health Literacy - Health literacy is the extent to which consumers can obtain, process and understand information about health care, services and the health system. It also refers to a consumer’s capacity to use that information to make decisions about their health care. This means additional measures are needed to ensure equity in health literacy outcomes are enabled for consumers with limited English and proficiency (including reading skills) or capacity to access information, which may especially include those from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, a person with a disability or a culturally or linguistically diverse (CALD) background (especially if older) or children and young people.

Health Service - Health service means a service associated with:

  • The promotion of health and wellbeing
  • The prevention of disease, illness or injury
  • Rehabilitation or ongoing care for persons who have suffered a disease, illness or injury.

Services can be delivered in a local community through but not limited to, a hospital, community health centre, GP Plus clinic(s), A Dental Service, mental health services, aged care facilities, emergency and ambulance service, drug and alcohol services and health promotion programs.

Inclusion - The intentional, ongoing effort to ensure that all people can fully participate in all aspects of life.

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) - Australian Government program designed to support people with disability, injury, or health conditions to find and keep work.

Intersectionality - How different aspects of a person’s identity, such as their gender, race, class, sexuality and disability can interact to create experiences of discrimination and marginalisation. Intersectionality helps us to understand how these experiences can overlap and intersect, and how they can be challenged and addressed.

Lived Experience (LE) - Lived experience refers to the subjective perception of a person’s experience of health or illness and is the representation of the experiences and choices of that person and the knowledge that they gain from these experiences and choices. People who have a lived or living experience of mental illness bring their knowledge and understanding gained (as individuals or in groups) from their direct experience living with mental illness and recovery.

LGBTQIA+ - An inclusive term for people whose sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics differ from the majority. It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/ questioning, asexual and other diverse identities. The + acknowledges that there are many other ways people may describe their identity and experiences.

Measures - A way to track progress and understand if things are improving over time. Measures use numbers and data and are supported by stories or feedback (qualitative data) in reporting.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Government initiative that provides funding for reasonable and necessary supports to people under 65 who have a significant and permanent disability.

National Safety and Quality - The primary aims of the NSQHS Standards are to protect the public from harm and to improve the Health Service (NSQHS) Standards quality of health care. They provide a quality assurance mechanism that tests whether relevant systems are in place to ensure that expected standards of safety and quality are met.
1. Clinical Governance Standard.
2. Partnering with Consumers Standard.
3. Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.
4. Medication Safety Standard.
5. Comprehensive Care Standard.
6. Communicating for Safety Standard.
7. Blood Management Standard.
8. Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard.

Neurodivergence and Neurodivergent - A non-medical term describing various neurological variations from the dominant societal norm, and people with these variations in their neurological development. Neurodivergent, in contrast to neurotypical, is used to describe people who may have one or more ways in which their brain functions differently to the ‘typical’ way. Some Autistic people also refer to themselves as neurodivergent.

PICU - Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.

Sensory - Relates to the senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell, and the body’s ability to receive and process information from the environment through our sensory systems. In the context of autism, it can refer to the way an Autistic person processes information from their senses differently. Some may have a range of sensory sensitivities, while others may seek out sensory experiences.

Shared decision-making - Shared decision making involves discussion and collaboration between a consumer and their healthcare provider. It is about bringing together the consumer's values, circumstances, goals and preferences with the best available evidence about benefits, risks and uncertainties of treatment, in order to reach the most appropriate healthcare decisions for that person.

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) - SALHN encompasses the Flinders Medical Centre, the Repat Health Precinct and the Noarlunga Hospital, along with intermediate care services provided at GP Plus Super Clinics, Aboriginal Health and Family Clinics and the Aged Care Assessment Team. SALHN provides care for more than 350,000 people living in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide, as well as providing a number of state-wide services to those in regional areas.

Trauma Informed Care (TIC) - Understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatise.

Universal Design - Universal Design is defined by the Australian Human Rights Commission as designing environments so they can be accessed, understood and used by everyone regardless of age, size, ability or disability—and encompassing the creation of facilities, products, services and environments usable by all people without adaptations.

Qualitative Data - Information or data that describes qualities or experiences, often collected through words, stories or observations rather than numbers.

Quantitative Data - Information or data that can be counted or measured using numbers. Examples include statistics, percentages and totals.