At DFES, we are committed to ensuring that anyone who seeks information, needs emergency services, visits, volunteers or works for us is provided with equal and equitable opportunities, and may assume the rights and responsibilities enjoyed by all people within the community.
To ensure that barriers to access and inclusion are identified and redressed as quickly as possible, we consult and work with people with disability and relevant disability support to minimise the impact of these barriers. Furthermore, we take all reasonable measures to ensure our plan is implemented purposefully and meaningfully.
The DFES Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) focusses on and reinforces the importance of being mindful in terms of the planning, consulting and delivery of services to people with disability.
People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to:
Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2025 outlines key strategies and action plans to progress and improve our organisational accessibility and inclusivity for people with disability.
This plan will guide our dedicated efforts to provide people with disability the same opportunities to access the department’s services, information, employment, facilities and events.
Our plan also compliments the DFES Workforce and Diversity Action Plan 2020-2022 that has been designed to build an inclusive culture where:
It is important to DFES that people with disability have the same opportunities as other people to obtain and maintain employment with us. We are actively working on removing barriers to recruitment, providing reasonable workplace adjustments and providing an inclusive and supportive workplace.
DFES offers reasonable workplace adjustments in the following areas:
It is important to DFES that people with disability receive information from us in a format that will enable them to access information as readily as other people are able to access it. Accessible information also benefits people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with low literacy and seniors.
When considering information, we look at the different avenues including signage, printed material, presentation and websites.
If you experience any difficulties with accessing DFES information, please contact us to discuss alternative formats. Call 9395 9300 or email inclusion@dfes.wa.gov.au.
If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, the National Relay Service can help you.
All calls are relayed through a confidential relay officer, who acts as the central link in the call and ensures calls go smoothly. Call options can be made through a range of devices including from computers, tablets, mobile phones, an ordinary phone or a TTY (a special phone with a small keyboard and screen). To find our more visit the National Relay Service website.
Information on website accessibility options and features is provided below.
Pages on this website have been configured to be print friendly where possible. Simply click on the Print icon located towards the top of each page (next to the search field).
When a page is printed, it will only print the most crucial elements of the page. Navigation menus are removed for your convenience to improve formatting.
This website may include links to documents that will require the installation of certain software on your computer. However, in most cases you will not be required to install anything as it will already be installed by default.
If you do not have the required software to view the documents available on this site, the following free downloads or online applications will allow you to view the documents:
Information presented on the website can be made available in an alternative format by request. Please contact us for assistance.
DFES is committed to ensuring people with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access services provided by DFES, including:
It is important to DFES that people with disability receive information from us in a format that will enable them to access information as readily as other people are able to access it. Find out about our website accessibility features, how to access information in alternative format and the National Relay Service in the Accessible Information section of this page.
DFES events are an important way to honour and recognise DFES personnel and volunteers, increase awareness of our programs and services, and build relationships with the general community.
We understand that people with disability can face barriers to attending and participating in events.
When planning events, DFES seeks to ensure accessibility of:
We understand that people with disability often experience difficulties accessing buildings and facilities.
The provision of appropriate access benefits the entire community including seniors, parents with young children in prams and people with disability.
When improving existing or planning new buildings and facilities, DFES prioritises universal access and design.
If you require assistance or have any questions regarding disability access to any DFES buildings or facilities eg. parking, wheelchair access etc. please call 9395 9300 or email inclusion@dfes.wa.gov.au.
Consultation and engagement is an essential part of developing government policies, programs and services. It provides an opportunity for the community to express their views in a safe, confidential and accessible way.
When planning public consultations, DFES seeks to ensure people with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate ensuring:
In addition, staff and volunteers are provided with advice on how to communicate with people in a positive and inclusive manner.
To get in contact, for more information suggestions or assistance, please call 9395 9300, email inclusion@dfes.wa.gov.au or complete the enquiry form.