City Appointments To Build More Inclusive CommunityTwo new staff appointments have been made at Latrobe City Council to ensure that people with a disability are included in the life of the community. By Latrobe City Council - 6th December 2001 - Back to News
Two new staff appointments have been made at Latrobe City Council to ensure that people with a disability are included in the life of the community. Karleen Plunkett has been appointed as Disability Services Officer to the City, and Bill Lawler has taken up the position of Rural Access Project Officer.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said Latrobe City was committed to building an inclusive community, where the aspirations of people with a disability could become a reality, and the two new staff members working with Latrobe City and the wider community would be working towards that goal.
Karleen Plunkett, as Disability Services Officer, will be working with Latrobe City Unit Leaders and staff to implement the City’s Disability Action Plan. Ms Plunkett attended school in Moe and has worked in Melbourne in past years, returning to the Latrobe Valley to take up her new position.
"The purpose of the Disability Action Plan is to ensure that all members of the community are able to access all present and future Council services and programs," Ms Plunkett explained.
"The implementation of the Disability Action Plan will be guided by a Disability Reference Committee made up of staff from Latrobe City, representatives from disability services in Latrobe City and members of the community.
"We are inviting interested citizens to join the Latrobe City Disability Reference Committee, and would welcome expressions of interest from people keen to further access to Council services and programs for people of all abilities," Ms Plunkett added.
Mr Lawler has lived and worked in Latrobe City for over forty years and said he is looking forward to developing and implementing many projects in his new position as Rural Access Project Officer.
"The Rural Access Project aims to work with local communities so they will be better able to plan and to provide support for the inclusion of people with a disability. I will be working with service providers, trader organisations, transport providers, health professionals, and many other community groups, to increase their capacity to meet the diverse needs of people with a disability and their families," Mr Lawler said.
"Rural Access uses a community development approach, to enable people with a disability to have increased opportunities to participate in the life of the community and become valued citizens in their own right," Mr Lawler added.
If you would like to become a member of the Latrobe City Disability Reference Committee, or would like more information about the Disability Action Plan, contact Karleen Plunkett, telephone 1300 367 700. If you would like more information about the Rural Access initiative, contact Bill Lawler, telephone 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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