Support framework and guidelines for visually impaired Council Members

This project has led to the development and implementation of a toolkit and guideline to support visually impaired Council Members.

Using these tools, councils can enhance the effectiveness and confidence of members who are blind or have low vision, supporting accessibility and diversity.

Background

The City of Victor Harbor took a significant step toward inclusive governance with the election of Councillor Angela Schiller in 2022, the first blind Council Member in South Australia. This milestone highlighted the need for enhanced accessibility measures within the local government framework. As a response, the City of Victor Harbor developed a comprehensive toolkit and set of guidelines aimed at supporting council members who are blind or have low vision.

Objectives

This project set out to:

• promote equitable participation for council members with vision impairments
• develop practical strategies to create a fully inclusive council environment
• enhance physical, technological and information accessibility within council operations.

Outcomes

Through this project, a new toolkit and guideline was created to help South Australian councils to better understand and support elected officials who are vision-impaired.

These resources provide practical strategies and examples to address common challenges and promote inclusivity.

Key sections of the toolkit include:

• Legal framework and principles
• Fostering an inclusive environment
• Physical accessibility
• IT and accessibility considerations
• Meetings and workshops
• Guide dog etiquette

The initiative has significantly improved accessibility and inclusivity within the City of Victor Harbor. Councillor Schiller has continued to make valuable contributions, becoming Deputy Mayor in 2024 and inspiring greater representation of diverse abilities in local government.