EOI Access Advisory Committee

Summary

The Access Advisory Committee helps Council create an accessible city for all people. Members of the Committee are people who live, work or study in the Parramatta area, with experience or knowledge of barriers to access.

Council is looking for people with disability and other access challenges to become Members of the Committee. As a Member of the Committee, you would give advice on Council business to help us improve access in our services, programs and policies.

People who care about access and can meet the selection criteria (below) are encouraged to read and complete this Expression of Interest Form and submit to Council by 4:00pm, Thursday, 30 June 2022.This form is Council’s way to get to know you and how you may help Council as a Member of the Committee.

Committee Meetings

The Committee formally meets on a Tuesday evening of every second month. Members may be invited to meet to provide feedback in person or in writing on related matters, depending on availability and capacity of Members. Meetings take place in-person on Council premises within the Parramatta CBD and online via Microsoft Teams. Attendance of Members is possible via either method, NSW Public Health Orders permitting.

The schedule for Committee Meetings for the remainder of 2022 is planned as follows:

• Tuesday, October 4 2022, 5:30 – 7pm
• Tuesday, December 6 2022, 5:30-7pm

While rare, Members should be aware that scheduled/expected dates may have to be changed due to a clash with public holidays or other Council meetings. Council will endeavour to consult with Members and provide as much notice as possible, to ensure attendance is possible.

Selection Criteria

Committee members must be a minimum of 16 years old, and should meet both of the following key selection criteria:

• All members must live, work, or study in the Parramatta LGA, or have a strong connection to the LGA.
• All members must demonstrate skills and capacity to contribute to the Committee.

Applicants to the Access Advisory Committee must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• People with disability;
• People employed with a specialised non-profit or social enterprise disability service located in the City of Parramatta LGA, supporting people with shared experience of access barriers;
• People with a demonstrated competency in legislative requirements such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Australian Standards.

All applicants will be assessed according to the above Criteria, with a maximum of 12 people appointed as Members to the Committee.

The Selection Panel will consider the need for representation from people with different disabilities and expertise on the Access Advisory Committee.

Travel Support

When an appointed Committee Member is unable to attend a meeting using private or public transport for the journey to/from a meeting, Council can provide a Cabcharge voucher to the Member for either journey. The Member or their support person will need to book the taxi service for this journey if required.

The Committee Convenor will need to be informed of the need for a Cabcharge voucher at least five (5) days before an Advisory Committee meeting.

Compulsory Induction Workshop – First Committee meeting (planned for 4 October 2022)

In order to participate as a Member of the Committee, appointed Members must complete the Advisory Committee Induction Workshop. This is a short workshop that covers the roles and expectations of Committee Members and Council’s Code of Conduct. The workshop is planned to take place as part of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee, and this will be confirmed with appointed Committee Members.

The first 2022 Access Advisory Committee Workshop is planned to take place on Tuesday 4 October 2022, 5:30 – 7:00pm. If an appointed Member is unable to make this date, they should communicate this to the Committee Convenor as soon as they are informed of their appointment by Council.

Please fill in the form below to express interest in joining the Access Advisory Committee. Expressions of Interest close on 30 June 2022.