3.0 Plan development

3.1 Review of current practices

The TIO undertook a number of preliminary steps prior to the development of the Second DAP. The TIO established an internal working group which assisted in the preparation of this plan by reviewing the TIO's First DAP and collecting information regarding:

• relevant complaint data
• physical and social barriers which may limit access to the TIO's services
• public awareness and feedback activities
• the accessibility and usability of the TIO website
• the availability of relevant training programs for staff, and
• lessons learnt from the TIO's First DAP.

The purpose of gathering this information was to gain an understanding of any issues that may be impeding access by people with disabilities to the TIO's services prior to the development of this plan.

3.2 Consultation

On 23 October 2007, the TIO held an external consultation with a variety of disability organisations. The purpose of this consultation was to learn from experts in this area, receive feedback regarding the TIO's First DAP and to consider recommendations towards the development of the TIO's Second DAP.

The organisations that attended were:

• Brain Injury Australia
• Deafness Forum Ltd
• Physical Disability Council of Australia
• Blind Citizens Australia
• Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
• National Indigenous Disability Network
• National Ethnic Disability Alliance
• Australian Association of the Deaf
• Telecommunications and Disability Consumer Representation
• CAUS (Communication Rights Australia)

The TIO also received valuable correspondence from the National Council on Intellectual Disability.

Further, the TIO consulted with Telstra Corporation Ltd and Optus Networks Pty Ltd in the course of development of this Second DAP.

3.3 Other resources

The following documents were used as guidelines for developing this plan:

• HREOC guidelines for DAP Development
• Telstra's Fourth Disability Action Plan 2007
• Optus Disability Action Plan 2006

3.4 Internal responsibility and reporting

The Deputy Ombudsman is responsible for implementing this plan and reviewing complaints about disability discrimination.

However, so that the plan exists as a seamless addition to the TIO's everyday operations, all staff share responsibility for its practical implementation. This dynamic plan relates to everything we do and all staff are involved in and committed to its maintenance and success.

Individual responsibilities are assigned to specific people in Section 5 of this document and complete position descriptions for these positions are set out in Appendix 2.

Progress on the development and implementation of the Plan will be reported to the TIO Council and Board, and included in the TIO Annual Report.