This page is dedicated to sharing information about disability, access and inclusion. Below, is a list of valuable resources designed to promote access and inclusion, showcase best practice, encourage meaningful engagement, and acknowledge the experiences of people who live with disability.
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding, enhance your learning, or develop the skills to participate in respectful and informed conversations, the below resources are a great starting point.
This list is by no means extensive, and we welcome you to share other useful and informative resources with us. If you have suggestions or feedback, please email community@gawler.sa.gov.au
The State Disability Inclusion Plan (State Plan) is the State Government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive South Australia. The State Plan sets out specific actions for State Government agencies and local councils to achieve to reduce barriers faced by people with disability.
The development and implementation of South Australia’s new State Disability Inclusion Plan 2025-2029 (State Plan) will build on the progress made and work towards a future where no one is left behind.
The voices, goals and aspirations of South Australia’s Autistic and autism communities have been the driving force behind the development of the first SA Autism Strategy 2024–2029.
The Strategy sets out a 5-year roadmap to create meaningful cultural change and greater access to services, inclusion and participation in the community for Autistic people of all ages.
The Gawler Ageing Well Framework guides Council’s efforts to encourage and support active, positive ageing. It reflects Council’s commitment to supporting residents aged 65 and over to live healthy, fulfilling, and socially connected lives.
The Framework aims to enhance the Town’s physical environment, improve accessibility and moveability, foster social inclusion and community participation, and ensure investment in appropriate public services and infrastructure for the benefit of the whole community.
It is underpinned by Council’s Community Plan and other strategic documents such as the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP). Together, these plans support Gawler’s vision of being an accessible, inclusive, and sustainable community that provides for people at every stage of life.
In 2023, Council established the Ageing Well Advisory Group to help oversee the implementation of the Framework. The group provides advice, identifies gaps, and offers feedback on issues related to active and positive ageing.
This Plan is a collaborative regional public health response for the Adelaide Plains, Barossa, Gawler, and Light Regional Councils. A number of key challenges were identified through engagement with community, Council staff, Council Members, and other key stakeholders. The following were identified as being the most significant across all four council areas:
* Improving mental health and reducing psychological stress
* Access and inclusion (services, transport, digital, disability access)
* Youth engagement and wellbeing
* Supporting an ageing population
* Encouraging healthy lifestyles
The Regional Public Health Plan outlines strategies, collaborative projects, and governance arrangements to address these challenges and to improve regional outcomes.
The Inclusive Play Guidelines are a tool for local government, schools, early childhood learning centres, design professionals and others to assist in planning, considering and developing playspaces that are inclusive and be enjoyed by everyone. They can also be used by the community to advocate for playspace design or resources. The guidelines include a comprehensive checklist, which can help identify best practice in inclusive play design.
Everyone has a role to play to ensure access and inclusion for people with disability. When organising an event, whether it’s a small indoor meeting or a bigger outdoor community event, there are some things to consider that will make your event enjoyable for everyone.
The Accessible and Inclusive Events Checklist outlines some considerations that can help to accommodate people with disability. This is not an extensive list but is a good place to start when planning your event.
The Inclusive SA Accessible and Inclusive Community Events Toolkit is a more comprehensive document that provides practical information for planning accessible and inclusive community events.
Everyone has a role to play in creating accessible online solutions. Digital things like websites and apps work best when they're created so everyone can use them.
The Online Accessibility Toolkit assists in the creation of digital platforms and content that is accessible, because creating something with accessibility in mind, benefits the whole community.
Dementia Australia is the national peak body supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers.
An estimated 433,300 Australians live with dementia, and 29,000 of these are aged under 65. Currently, there are 538 people living with dementia in the local community.
Dementia Australia responds to this challenge with trusted information, education, resources and support services. They’re available to support people impacted by dementia, to enable them to live as well as possible.
The Dementia Care Alliance Gawler is a newly formed community advocacy group with a focus on:
* Assisting to navigate support and services available for those living with dementia and their care partners
* Building community awareness and providing education on dementia
* Providing opportunities for information sharing and social connection
* Working towards Gawler becoming a Dementia Friendly Community
The group meets on the last Monday of the month, 1pm - 2.30pm at the Gawler Sport and Community Centre, Nixon Tce.
A regular social ‘coffee catch up’ program is coming soon. This will be a great opportunity to meet new people, socialise, share information, and make local connections.
For more information or to become involved, please email the Dementia Care Alliance at dcagawler@gmail.com
JFA Purple Orange is a disability led, social profit organisation on a mission to create a world where people who live with disability have a fair go at what life has to offer.
Their work assists people living with disability to find their voice and claim their life chances, as well as assisting government, community, and private sector leaders to rise in support of inclusion.
Feros Care is the NDIS partner for the Gawler, Barossa, Light, and Adelaide Plains regions. The Feros Care Local Area Coordinators can meet with you, your family and carer to help you:
* Understand the NDIS
* Link you to information and community supports
* Assist you with access to the NDIS
* Support you to put your NDIS plan into action and to review your plan
The Gawler Feros Care Office is located at:
Unit 3, Level 1
83-85 Murray Street
Gawler SA 5118
Open Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm
For more information call 1300 986 970 or email enquiries@ndis.gov.au
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for a person to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that they may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 is a national framework that sets out a plan for continuing to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia over 10 years.
The strategy’s vision is for an inclusive society that ensures people with disability can fulfil their potential, as equal members of the community.
The strategy has seven key outcome areas highlighted by people with disability as priorities for improvement:
* Employment and financial security
* Inclusive homes and communities
* Safety, rights and justice
* Personal and community support
* Education and learning
* Health and wellbeing
* Community attitudes
All levels of government play a role in services, supports and infrastructure for people with disability and they need to make reasonable adjustments to ensure people with disability can access those systems and services.
The United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international human rights convention which sets out the fundamental human rights of people with disability.
The purpose of the UNCRPD is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
It is made up of two documents, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which contains the main human rights provisions expressed as a series of Articles and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to young people aged 12-25.
headspace can help with mental health, physical health, sexual health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
A new headspace centre is set to open in Gawler in late October / early November 2025. The new centre will be located on Whitelaw Terrace, just down from the Gawler post office (where Zapp Fitness was previously located).
For young people who prefer online or phone support, eheadspace is available at headspace.org.au or by phoning 1800 650 890.