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Performance Reporting 2005–06
Report on performance in implementing the Commonwealth Disability Strategy
Performance reporting 2005–06
The Commonwealth Disability Strategy (CDS) provides a framework to assist Commonwealth organisations to meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The strategy defines the core roles of Government agencies as policy adviser, regulator, purchaser, provider, and employer.
Policy advisers are responsible for strategic planning and formulating new initiatives and revisions to current Government programs and services. They do so in response to Government policy objectives, identified community needs or both.
Regulators develop regulations in direct response to Government policy or legislation and are responsible for implementing the framework designed by policy advisers.
Similarly for purchasers, established policy directions guide the purchasing frameworks to be implemented. Funding is allocated on the basis that purchasing specifications are designed to give effect to the policy framework.
Service providers also work within established boundaries. These boundaries exist in the purchasing frameworks that accompany funds received to provide the service. Purchasing specifications specify how services are to be provided, to whom and under what conditions. Though conditions of employment may vary between organisations, the core functions of an employer remain the same (see www.facs.gov.au/disability/cds/cds/roles1.htm for more information on the Commonwealth Disability Strategy).
The Department's performance against the performance indicators for each of the defined roles follows.
Policy advisor role
Performance indicator 1: New or revised policy/program proposals assess the impact on the lives of people with disabilities prior to decision.
Performance measure: Percentage of new or revised policy/program proposals documenting that the impact of the proposal was considered prior to the decision making stage.
Current level of performance 2005–06
New policy
Number of new policies: 13. Percentage documenting impact: 38% (60% in 2004–05)
Revised policy
Number of revised policies/programs:
3. Percentage documenting impact: 0% (22% in 2004–05)
NOTE: Usually, the impact on the lives of people with disabilities is only documented in the New Policy Proposal process where it has been assessed that there is an impact. The Department is working to improve reporting with a new policy proposal checklist.
Performance indicator 2: People with disabilities are included in consultation about new or revised policy/program proposals.
Performance measure: Percentage of consultations about new or revised policy/ program proposals that are developed in consultation with people with disabilities.
Current level of performance 2005–06
New policy
Number of consultations: 7. Percentage of consultations undertaken with people with disabilities: 71% (80% in 2004–05)
Revised policy – no consultations
Performance indicator 3: Public announcements of new, revised or proposed policy/program initiatives are available in accessible formats 1 for people with disabilities in a timely manner.
Performance measure: Percentage of new, revised or proposed policy/program announcements available in a range of accessible formats.
Time taken in providing announcements in accessible formats.
Current level of performance 2005–06
- A total of 257 Ministerial media announcements were made during the year with 100 per cent of these announcements available on the Internet in HTML at the time of the announcement. Announcements were also distributed via fax to selected media.
- No requests were received for media announcements in other formats (currently available in HTML).
- The Department's website is continually reviewed and updated in line with best practice accessibility.
- Guidelines for planning and producing materials in accessible formats continue to be updated and available on the Department's intranet.
- Information, including discussion papers and fact sheets, is available on the website in HTML, Word and/or PDF.
Regulator role
Performance indicators:
- Publicly available information on regulations and quasi-regulations is available in accessible formats for people with disabilities.
- Publicly available regulatory compliance reporting is available in accessible formats for people with disabilities.
Performance measures: Percentage of publicly available information on regulations and quasi-regulations requested and provided in accessible electronic formats; and accessible formats other than electronic.
Average time taken to provide accessible material in electronic format and formats other than electronic.
Current level of performance 2005–06
- All legislative instruments made since 1 January 2005, and between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004, are posted on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (a publicly available website database managed by the Attorney-General's Department) in multiple formats.
- No requests were received for information on regulations and quasi-regulations or for compliance reporting in accessible formats.
- In line with Government Policy, the Departmental Regulatory Plan is available on the Department's website in an accessible format
- The Department's website is continually reviewed and updated in line with best practice accessibility guidelines. Web policies have been updated to better reflect W3C recommendations.
Purchaser role
Performance indicator 1: Publicly available information on agreed purchasing specifications is available in accessible formats for people with disabilities.
Performance measure: Percentage of publicly available purchasing specifications requested and provided in accessible electronic formats and accessible formats other than electronic.
Average time taken to provide accessible material in electronic formats and formats other than electronic.
Current level of performance 2005–06
Contracts:
All open tender processes are available online, with all tender documentation available in PDF format for security reasons. On request, the Department is able to provide tender documentation in a range of accessible formats.
Grants:
100 per cent of grant program guidelines are available online (those grant programs subject to applications). No requests were received for information in other formats. Other accessible formats available on request.
Performance indicator 2: Processes for purchasing goods or services with a direct impact 2 on the lives of people with disabilities are developed in consultation with people with disabilities.
Performance measure: Percentage of processes for purchasing goods or services that directly impact on the lives of people with disabilities that are developed in consultation with people with disabilities.
Current level of performance 2005–06
Contracts:
Procurement of goods that directly impact upon the lives of employees with a disability is carried out in consultation with people with disabilities through a service provider and a central area of the Department.
The Department has set up a panel of contractors to carry out construction-related works within the Department's premises. All works will be carried out in accordance with the relevant accessibility standards. The contract complies with accessibility standards.
During 2006–06:
- work was completed on the access ramp for people with disabilities at the rear of Old Parliament House;
- the installation of automatic sliding doors from the Strangers' Gallery area improved access to the Senate Courtyard and cafŽ areas of OPH; and
- disabled access toilet facilities were made available in the OPH refurbished education spaces.
Performance indicator 3: Purchasing specifications 3 and contract requirements for the purchase of goods and services are consistent with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Performance measure: Percentage of purchasing specifications for goods and services that specify that tender organisations must comply with the
Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Percentage of contracts for the purchase of goods and services that require the contractor to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Current level of performance 2005–06
Contracts:
The Department's standard contract terms require compliance with relevant legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Draft contracts are supplied with all standard requests for tender.
Grants:
The Department's standard funding deeds require compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Performance indicator 4: Publicly available performance reporting against the purchase contract specifications requested in accessible formats for people with disabilities is provided.
Performance measure: Percentage of publicly available performance reports against the contract purchasing specification requested and provided in accessible electronic formats and accessible formats other than electronic.
Average time taken to provide accessible material in electronic formats and formats other than electronic.
Current level of performance 2005–06
Contracts:
Information is available online at the Australian Government Tender System home page (www.tenders.gov.au).
Information complying with the requirements of the Order of the Senate for Department and Agency Contracts is on the Department's website (www.dcita.gov.au). Details of consultancy contracts are reported as part of the Annual Report.
Grant programs:
One hundred per cent of the Department's grant program guidelines are available online (generally in HTML format). No requests were received for information in other formats. For documents not in HTML, contact details are included so that applicants can request documents in alternative formats if required.
General:
The Department's website publishing guidelines have been updated to take better account of W3C recommendations.
The Old Parliament House and National Portrait Gallery websites continue to be upgraded in accordance with Commonwealth Government guidelines for website accessibility.
Performance indicator 5: Complaints/ grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms in place to address concerns raised about provider's performance.
Performance measure: Established complaints/grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, in operation.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The Department's Client Service Charter 2005–08 outlines the mechanism for formal complaints, including access to external review bodies. The Department encourages feedback and comments through the website through the 'feedback' and 'contact us' links at the bottom of each page.
The Department received 21 feedback forms during the last year, of which 19 were positive and three were negative.
Grant programs continue to have well established feedback mechanisms. In general, grants program areas on the website offer feedback mechanisms. Verbal and written feedback between the Department and the grantees occurs. A 'freecall 1800' telephone service operates for some grant programs as well as direct telephone numbers and generic email addresses available for enquiries or as an avenue of complaints.
Provider role
Performance indicator 1: Providers have established mechanisms for quality improvement and assurance.
Performance measure: Evidence of quality improvement and assurance systems in operation.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The established mechanisms for quality improvement and assurance include a feedback form in the Department's Client Service Charter 2005–08, the annual client service survey, and the provision for feedback on the website.
The results of the 2006 client service survey identify a small proportion (three per cent) of the Department's clients have special needs when accessing Departmental services. Fourteen respondents reported that they required English as a second language services, ten require community languages and interpreter services, two require TTY and access to large print format, and seven indicated that they require online material accessible to people with disabilities. The Department has in place a range of options for people with particular needs.
The Department's website publishing guidelines have been updated to better reflect W3C recommendations.
The Old Parliament House and National Portrait Gallery websites continue to be upgraded in accordance with Commonwealth Government guidelines for website accessibility.
Snapshot examples:
Culture and Recreation Web Portal was upgraded in 2004–05 to raise the level of conformity to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 standard to the highest level, a Triple A rating to assist people with disabilities to navigate the site. Over 2005–06, the Department continued to research and monitor mechanisms to improve accessibility and useability. Some minor technical changes were introduced with further technical upgrades scheduled for implementation over 2006–07.
The Collections Australia Network website is currently Double A compliant with web content accessibility. The network is currently working with the W3C standards towards Triple A compliance.
Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery have continued to take into account a range of access issues when designing public programs, educational training of volunteer guides and building thoroughfares.
Performance indicator 2: Providers have an established service charter that specifies the roles of the provider and consumer and service standards which address accessibility for people with disabilities.
Performance measure: Established service charter that adequately reflects the needs of people with disabilities in operation.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The Department's Client Service Charter has been in place since 1998. Regular internal and external reviews ensure that the charter adequately addresses accessibility and diversity issues through the provision of a wide range of contact options, including TTY, and through clearly set out service standards that include sensitivity to diversity issues. The Department's annual client service survey gauges the respondent's knowledge of the Department's Client Service Charter 2005–08. In 2006, client awareness of the service standards in the charter was higher than in previous years (23 per cent in 2006 compared to 19 per cent in 2005). Awareness of the charter was significantly higher among clients who deal with the Department about telecommunications and policy issues (32 and 36 per cent respectively).
Performance indicator 3: Complaints/ grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, in place to address concerns raised about performance.
Performance measure: Established complaints/grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, in operation.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The Department's Client Service Charter 2005–08 outlines a formal feedback and complaint mechanism, including access to external review bodies.
The Department's website includes 'feedback' and 'contact us' sections. The Department received 21 feedback forms during the last year of which 19 were positive and three were negative.
Grant programs continue to have well established feedback mechanisms. In general, grants program areas on the website offer feedback mechanisms. Verbal and written feedback between the Department and the grantees occurs. A 'freecall 1800' telephone service operates for some grant programs, and a generic email address is available for enquiries or as an avenue of complaints.
Employer role
Performance indicator 1: Employment policies, procedures and practices comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Performance measure: Number of employment policies, procedures and practices that meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The Department's recruitment procedures, employment programs and policies meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The Department's Certified Agreement complies with the Act.
Performance indicator 2: Recruitment information for potential job applicants is available in accessible formats 4 on request.
Performance measure: Percentage of recruitment information requested and provided in accessible electronic formats, and accessible formats other than electronic.
Average time taken to provide accessible information in electronic formats, and formats other than electronic.
Current level of performance 2005–06
All recruitment information is available in accessible electronic formats on the Internet and intranet.
Recruitment staff are able to provide information in hard copy, large print or other formats on request. There were no requests for information in other accessible formats.
Electronic format information has an approximate download time of 20 seconds through a web-based tool. Timelines for the provision of other than electronic formats is dependent on the delivery mechanism.
Performance indicator 3: Agency recruiters and managers apply the principle of reasonable adjustment.
Performance measure: Percentage of recruiters and managers provided with information on reasonable adjustment.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The principle of reasonable adjustment is applied by the Department in the recruitment of people with a disability and all recruiters and managers have access to the Disability Discrimination Act through the Department's intranet link.
Performance indicator 4: Training and development programs consider the needs of staff with disabilities.
Performance measure: Percentage of training and development programs that consider the needs of staff with disabilities.
Current level of performance 2005–06
All training and development courses provide facilities that have reasonable access for people with disabilities. Staff with disabilities who book for internal courses are encouraged to discuss their needs with HR Services.
Performance indicator 5: Training and development programs include information on disability issues as they relate to the content of the program.
Performance measure: Percentage of training and development programs that include information on disability issues as they relate to the program.
Current level of performance 2005–06
The following programs were conducted in 2005–06 and included significant information on disability issues.
- Five sessions on 'APS Values' and 'Code of Conduct'
- Three Capability Training Programs
- One training course for Health and Safety Representatives
- One training course for Workplace Diversity and Harassment Contact Officers.