Disability Access and Inclusion

A Caring and Inclusive Community

Each year City of Newcastle (CN) highlights and celebrates disability inclusion on 3 December as part of International Day of People with Disability, but throughout the year we are working every day to make sure Newcastle is a liveable, sustainable, and inclusive global city.

CN's Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 outlines the 35 actions we are currently working on in response to community consultation held when developing the plan. Demonstrating positive attitudes and behaviours towards disability and to people with disabilities is just one factor in creating an inclusive community, we are also building and improving inclusive public spaces and places for all. 

In 2024/25 CN is also focused on highlighting local inclusive sport and recreational activities across Newcastle. Via our Count Us In Sport program we have supported Parra Standing Adaptive Tennis at discover Tennis Broadmeadow, Wheelchair Sport for Kids Newcastle held at Broadmeadow PCYC, Wheelchair Basketball, Inclusive Dance classes, Inclusive Football, Surfing and Lawn Bowls.

Find Services listed in My Community Directory or view My Community Diary for local community events.

Access Inclusion Standing Committee

City of Newcastle has an Access Inclusion Committee. The Committee assists with the implementation of our Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 and also provides advice on local matters related to disability inclusion in Newcastle.

Committee Membership

Councillor Members: 

Lord Mayor Cr Dr Ross Kerridge

Cr Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk (Co-Chair) 

Cr Sinead Francis-Coan (Deputy Chair) 

Cr Mark Brooker

This committee also has a co-chair selected from the community membership from the below members.  

Representatives from Stakeholder Organisations: 

Naomi Curry (Community Disability Alliance Hunter)

Dominic Freestone (Life Without Barriers)

Corey Balfoort (Castle-Employment Service)

Community Representatives:

Amanda Robertson 

Eliot Shaw

Belinda Burford

Claire Bortholli

For further information about Committees at City of Newcastle visit our Advisory Committee's page.

If you would like to provide access and inclusion related feedback about our local infrastructure, programs or services please click here

Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026

Council adopted the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 on February 22, 2022. The next four years will see CN work with the community and other stakeholders to deliver on the 35 actions of the DIAP.

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 was prepared in accordance with s.12 of the NSW Disability Inclusion Act and outlines how Council will contribute to making Newcastle a more inclusive and accessible city for everyone.

You can access the 2022-2026 plan in a variety of formats by clicking on the links below.

If you require a copy of the plan in an alternative format other than listed below, contact us on:

Phone: 02 49742863
Text: 0419 616 818

Email: communityadmin@ncc.nsw.gov.au

• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 (Accessible PDF)
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 (Text only/WORD format)
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 (Easy Read format/WORD)
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 (Easy Read Accessible PDF)

Diversify Your Workforce - Disability and Employment

Working-age people with disability are more likely to be unemployed than those without disability. They are also more likely to be unemployed for longer.

During Count Us In 2022, City of Newcastle engaged with people with disabilities and other stakeholders to record localised thoughts and experiences related to disability and employment.

We have developed two video resources to share across the community to promote more inclusive employment. The 2 minute clip includes closed captions and the 10 minute version includes closed captions and is Auslan interpreted.

We hope the voices of these local people can strengthen efforts to address negative attitudes and behaviours regarding the contribution that people with disability can and do make to our community.

Inclusion is everyone's business. Let's work together to make a difference!

Visit the Disability Inclusion Action Plan section above to see what City of Newcastle is working on to create more inclusive employment.