Appendix 8: Disability Action Plan

The Tribunals' Disability Action Plan sets out how the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DD Act) and the Commonwealth Disability Strategy.

The plan commits the Tribunals to ensuring that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged when accessing the services provided by the Tribunals. The plan encompasses the activities of the Tribunals as a service provider, purchaser and employer. The plan is reviewed annually and is reinforced by other planning documents, including the Tribunals' Plan, the Service Charter and the Workplace Diversity Program.

Service Provider role
Performance indicator	Performance measure	Outcomes for 2006-07
1. A Service Charter which addresses accessibility of services for people with disabilities.	1. Service Charter addresses the needs of people with disabilities.	1. The Service Charter advises of facilities which are available for people with disabilities, including wheelchair accessibility of offices and hearing loops in hearing rooms. Hearings have been conducted outside the office for applicants with special needs.
2. Premises and facilities are accessible and useable by people with a disability.	2. Degree to which premises and facilities are accessible and useable by people with a disability.	2. The Tribunals are located in buildings which provide level street access and are close to transport links. The general fit out and disabled facilities are consistent with relevant laws and building codes.
3. Complaints and grievance mechanisms.	3. Established complaints and grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, in operation.	3. No complaints about disability related issues were received.

Purchaser role
Performance indicator	Performance measure	Outcomes for 2006-07
1. Purchasing specifications and contract requirements for the purchase of goods and services are consistent with the requirements of the DD Act.	1. Percentage of tender specifications and contracts for goods and services that specify that tenderers must comply with the DD Act.	1. All requests for tender and draft contracts issued included a clause requiring compliance with the DD Act.
2. Tender specification and contract information for potential tenderers is available in accessible formats on request.	2. Percentage of tender specifications and contracts provided in electronic or other formats.	2. All requests for alternative formats were met.

Employer role
Performance indicator	Performance measure	Outcomes for 2006-07
1. Employment policies, procedures and practices comply with the requirements of the DD Act. Promotion of equity and diversity issues, including disability issues in policies, procedures and workplace practices.	1. Employment policies and procedures meet the requirements of the DD Act.	1. The Tribunals' Certified Agreement 2005-08 contains a commitment to comply with the DD Act. The Tribunals' Workplace Diversity Program 2005-08 includes strategies in relation to recruitment and the appropriate application of principles of reasonable adjustment. When an employee with a hearing disability was recruited, an Auslan interpreter and awareness training were provided to assist with the placement.
2. Recruitment information for potential job applicants is available in accessible formats on request.	2. Provision of information in accessible formats.	2. Recruitment information available in electronic and paper formats. Information invites persons to advise of any special requirements.
3. Selection Advisory Committees, delegates, managers and agency recruiters apply the principle of reasonable adjustment.	3. Provision of advice to selection committees, delegates, managers and agency recruiters on reasonable adjustment.	3. Advice on reasonable adjustment provided as required.
4. Promote awareness of disability discrimination issues in the workplace.	4. Use of Intranet to provide information and links to information on disability issues. Number of incidents or complaints of disability based discrimination.	4. Information available on Intranet. No incidents or complaints of disability discrimination reported.
5. Training and development programs consider the needs of staff with disabilities and include information on disability issues as they relate to the content of the program. Consultants required to provide for the needs of people with a disability as part of contracts.	5. Extent to which training programs consider the needs of staff with disabilities.	5. All training and development programs consider the needs of staff with disabilities. Participants in training programs are asked to specify special needs. Standard contract conditions require compliance with the DD Act.
6. Complaints and grievance mechanisms, including access to internal and external mechanisms, to address issues and concerns raised by staff.	6. Staff awareness of established complaints and grievance mechanisms.	6. The Tribunals' Certified Agreement 2005-08 provides information on internal review of actions processes and the further mechanisms available if the complaint or grievance is not resolved. Employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program. The Tribunals provide training to contact officers, managers and other employees, to recognise and respond to issues of equity and diversity.