Women's Health Services Toolkit
Disability and Prevention of Violence Against Women (PVAW) Needs Analysis Tool
The disability and PVAW needs analysis tool presented below is part of a suite of resources produced by Women with Disabilities Victoria to support women’s health services to build their capacity to include the rights and perspectives of women with disabilities into PVAW activities. In tandem with accompanying Women’s Health Services Disability Audit Tools, it has been designed for use by staff of women’s health services (WHS) engaged in the design, implementation and review of activities to prevent violence against women initiated by their organisations or region. It has been piloted by Women’s Health East and Women’s Health Loddon Mallee through their participation in the Violence Prevention Capacity Building Project in partnership with WDV, for whose assistance WDV is very grateful.
Organisational Strategy and Partnerships
This document has questions which relate to strategies and plans guiding your organisations Prevention of Violence Against Women work, and the partnerships utilised for its achievement.
Organisational Capacity
This document has questions which relate to the knowledge and resources your organisation possesses to enable prevention of violence against women which is inclusive of the rights, needs and perspectives of women with disabilities.
Disability Audit Tool - Services and Participation
The Women’s Health Services Disability Audit Tool presented below is part of a suite of resources produced by Women with Disabilities Victoria to support women’s health services to build their capacity to include the rights and perspectives of women with disabilities in to PVAW initiatives. In tandem with accompanying disability and Prevention of Violence Against Women (PVAW) needs analysis tools, it has been designed for use by staff of women’s health services engaged in the design, implementation and review of programs to prevent violence against women initiated by their organisations or region. It has been piloted by Women’s Health East and Women’s Health Loddon Mallee through their participation in the Violence Prevention Capacity Building Project in partnership with WDV, funded by the Victorian Government’s Office for Women, for whose assistance WDV is very grateful.
Services and Participation: Attitudes and Capacity
This document has questions which relate to the knowledge and skills of staff in your organisation to create and maintain a disability inclusive environment.
Services and Participation: Communication
This document has questions which relate to the way in which the organisation communicates with its staff, users and partners via a range of media, and its portrayal of women through its messaging.
Services and Participation: Employment and Leadership – Paid and Voluntary
This document has questions which relate to the extent to which your organisation is inclusive of people with disabilities as staff, volunteers and directors. Discrimination in employment is prohibited under Commonwealth legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 contains some anti-discrimination provisions for volunteers with disabilities. A strong message of inclusion is presented by an organisation whose leadership, staff and volunteers reflect the diversity of the population, including all forms of disability.
Services and Participation: Events and Activities
This document has questions which relate to the accessibility of events held by your organisation. These activities may involve both internal or external participants, may take place within your premises or be held off-site. Importantly, the questions relating to physical accessibility elsewhere in this tool apply to off-site event spaces, as well as the questions listed below.
Services and Participation: Catering
This document has questions which relate to the accessibility of catering at events and activities. This area is often overlooked when planning accessible events, but can enhance the autonomy and access of participants with disabilities if accessibility is factored in to catering arrangements, as suggested by the resource at https://www.and.org.au/pages/event-checklist.html.
Disability Audit Tool - Premises
This tool can be used to audit the premises from which your organisation works, or facilities where events and other community engagement initiatives are convened. Physical access to premises can be technically specialised. Therefore, the below auditing tool reviews basic accessibility, with additional resources provided for more technical information and requirements pertaining to access standards at the end of this tool. Organisations may wish to invest in the services of an access consultant who can provide advice regarding current accessibility and planning for improvement to premises. The accessibility consultant industry attracts both men and women, the latter often entering the industry through previous experience in occupational therapy or other allied health professions. You can find out more about access consultants at https://www.access.asn.au/.
Premises: Approach and Access
This document has questions which can assess the ease by which people with disabilities can travel to, locate and approach the outside of your building or event space. Considering women’s approach and access to your building increases perceptions of safety and reduces the need for reliance on informal supports to facilitate access. Enhancements to your organisation’s location may be limited by resource constraints and leasing contracts in the short term. However, access considerations can be factored into accommodation decisions if your organisation plans to relocate in the longer term. The questions can also assist you to assess the accessibility of spaces used for your organisation’s public events or meetings where external stakeholders are engaged.
Premises: Access to Entrance
This document has questions which can assist in determining whether people with disabilities can enter your premises or event space. Enhancements to the accessibility of your organisation’s entrance may be limited by resource constraints and leasing contracts in the short term, though correctly and securely positioned portable ramps can increase accessibility if permanent infrastructure is unavailable. However, access considerations can be factored into accommodation decisions if your organisation plans to relocate in the longer term. The below questions can assist you to assess the accessibility of spaces used for your organisation’s public events or meetings where external stakeholders are engaged. Easy access to your building promotes the public participation of women with disabilities and demonstrates commitment to the equality of all people.
Premises: Lobby and Reception
This document has questions which can relate to the accessibility of your building’s or event space’s lobby and reception area. Enhancements to the physical accessibility of your organisation’s lobby and reception area may be limited by resource constraints and leasing contracts in the short term. Reviewing of organisational procedures to ensure reception areas are always attended and sign-in or registration processes are accessible can be implemented fairly easily. Access can be further improved through removal of unnecessary clutter and the strategic positioning of furniture to ensure clear paths of navigation. Access considerations can be factored into accommodation decisions if your organisation plans to relocate in the longer term. The below questions can assist you to assess the accessibility of spaces used for your organisation’s public events or meetings where external stakeholders are engaged.
Premises: Building Interior
This document has questions which relate to the accessibility of the interior of your organisation’s building or event space. Enhancements to the physical accessibility of your organisation’s interior may be limited by resource constraints and leasing contracts in the short term. Access can be immediately improved through removal of unnecessary clutter and the strategic positioning of furniture to ensure clear paths of navigation within the building. Negotiation with landlords for the installation of signage or other accessibility features can be undertaken, and access considerations can be factored in to accommodation decisions if your organisation plans to relocate in the longer term. The questions can assist you to assess the accessibility of spaces used for your organisation’s public events or meetings where external stakeholders are engaged.
Premises: Building Navigation
This document has questions which can assist in determining whether people with disabilities can enter your premises or event space. Enhancements to the accessibility of your organisation’s entrance may be limited by resource constraints and leasing contracts in the short term, though correctly and securely positioned portable ramps can increase accessibility if permanent infrastructure is unavailable. However, access considerations can be factored into accommodation decisions if your organisation plans to relocate in the longer term. The below questions can assist you to assess the accessibility of spaces used for your organisation’s public events or meetings where external stakeholders are engaged. Easy access to your building promotes the public participation of women with disabilities and demonstrates commitment to the equality of all people.
Premises: Hygiene Facilities
This document has questions which relate to the accessibility of facilities for personal hygiene within a building or event space. Your organisation can send a strong message regarding accessibility and inclusion if accessible hygiene facilities are available and can be accessed with convenience and dignity by staff, volunteers and visitors with disabilities. The availability of accessible, safe, women-only hygiene facilities is optimal to inclusive event planning.
Premises: Emergencies and Evacuation
This document has questions which relate to the emergency procedures applicable to your service premises and event spaces. Your organisation can immediately improve the accessibility of emergency and evacuation procedures by ensuring that emergency procedures are communicated clearly to all staff and visitors to your building, and staff made available to assist anyone with disabilities in an emergency. In the longer term, personal emergency evacuation plans can be developed with staff and volunteers with disabilities.