WEBINAR | Disability Inclusion Series no. 2: Safety, Justice, Gender Equality & Emergency Management
Local governments are uniquely placed to drive disability inclusion through safety, justice, gender equality and emergency management. People with disability are residents, ratepayers, employees and active community members who interact with council services every day.
Navigating this responsibility is not always straightforward. Ambiguous roles, inconsistent frameworks and limited resources can create barriers to meaningful inclusion. This webinar will explore three key challenges councils face in advancing safety, justice, gender equality and emergency preparedness for people with disability.
This session examines how councils can move from intent to impact across three priority areas:
- Challenge 1 – Safety and justice: Across Australia, councils are grappling with an unclear and inconsistent understanding of their role in disability inclusion. This lack of clarity can lead to duplicated work, inefficiencies and missed opportunities to support autonomous decision making, allocate resources effectively and build strong relationships with communities. The impacts are especially significant for children and young people with disability, neurodivergent people, people with intellectual disability and First Nations communities. The session will explore what is needed to clarify responsibilities and create coordinated pathways forward.
- Challenge 2 – Gender Equality and Intersectionality: Gender Impact Assessments (GIAs) are mandatory for councils in Victoria but remain inconsistent or absent in many other jurisdictions. We will discuss how GIAs support community wellbeing, why consistent intersectional analysis matters and how councils across Australia can strengthen gender‑responsive planning, policy and service delivery.
- Challenge 3 – Emergency Management: Clear, accessible communication before and during emergencies is essential for people with disability to make informed choices and stay safe. This need is even more critical in regional and remote communities. The session will focus on improving partnerships, strengthening communication channels and ensuring people are aware of the facilities and supports available in emergency situations.
Across all three challenges, the webinar will highlight practical actions councils can take to clarify their roles, maximise impact within budget constraints and lead confident, community‑wide approaches to disability inclusion.
Disability Inclusion Webinar Series
Webinar 1 – Education, Employment & Community Attitudes
How councils can influence education and employment outcomes, shift community attitudes, and address barriers using local programs and partnerships.
Webinar 2 – Safety, Justice, Gender Equality & Emergency Management
Local government’s role in creating safer, fairer communities and ensuring emergency management practices are inclusive and accessible.
Webinar 3 – Housing, Homelessness & Community Supports
How councils contribute to accessible housing, homelessness prevention, and strong community support systems, featuring practical, evidence‑based examples.
Webinar 4 – Participation, Community Life & the Built Environment
Strengthening participation, inclusion, and universal design in local environments through planning, community engagement, and infrastructure design.