People With Disability

Lane Cove Council is now a part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. This program gives those living with a hidden disability access to a Sunflower lanyard. This lanyard has a yellow sunflower printed on a green background and indicates to those around the wearer that they are a person with a hidden disability and may require support, understanding or a little more time.

Lane Cove Council recognised that some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others.

The Sunflower lanyards are available upon request at Lane Cove Council Civic Centre, Lane Cove Library and St Leonards Library.

What is the Sunflower?

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a way to let others know you have a disability, condition or chronic illness that isn't immediately apparent. By wearing it, you can signal that you might need extra help, understanding, or patience when you're out in public, at work, in shops, or using transportation. The Sunflower is a simple yet effective way to communicate your non-visible disability without explaining it whenever you need assistance.

The Sunflower:

• doesn't automatically entitle you to any specific accommodations or services. However, it serves as a subtle signal for others to be aware of your needs and offer assistance if needed. It can also help alleviate any potential misunderstandings or judgments from others who may not understand your condition.
• is not limited to any specific disability or condition; it can represent various non-visible disabilities, conditions and chronic illnesses.
• is a symbol that promotes inclusivity and understanding for those with non-visible disabilities, conditions and chronic illnesses.
• is entirely optional.

For more information, visit the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.

Lane Cove Council is proud to partner with Zero Barriers Project, a program to eliminate barriers for people with a disability by creating a more accessible and inclusive business community. It takes a practical approach, working with businesses and services to make small changes that increase their community reach.

Zero Barriers works to:

• Educate businesses and services about accessibility and inclusion barriers encountered by people with disability
• Support businesses and services to become more disability friendly
• Recognise and promote businesses and services that are committed to eliminating barriers for people with disability

Lane Cove businesses can sign up for the free assessment and program via the Zero Barriers website.

Apply for Free Assessment

To see which businesses have already partnered with Lane Cove Council and Zero Barriers, visit the directory.

Under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW), all Councils must have a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).

The Lane Cove Council Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2026 was developed following a community consultation plan which included engagement with the local community, local businesses, service providers, Councillors and Council staff.

Individual and group conversations were conducted by the consultants with Council staff, support services and people with disability living locally. Council Committees were consulted including the Age Friendly Advisory Committee, the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee and workshops took place with key staff and Councillors between March – August 2022.

The draft plan was then placed on public exhibition for a six-week period. This gave our community an opportunity to provide further feedback before the document was issued to Council for review. The Lane Cove Council Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2026 was adopted by Council 23 February 2023.

The National Public Toilet Map is a website and app that provides the location of over 16,000 publicly available toilets across Australia. Information like opening hours, shower facilities, baby change tables and accessibility features helps people find a toilet to suit their needs. To find a toilet, people can search specific suburbs, save toilet locations, maps and trips and link it to their GPS.

The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system is an MLAA initiative that allows people with disability access to dedicated public facilities, including in National Parks, Council municipalities and lifts at railway stations. It also provides access to the new Changing Places throughout Australia, disabled toilets that are locked, and even the Liberty Swing. People with a disability are able to purchase a MLAK key that will open all doors, toilets, playground equipment and other facilities fitted with a lock that uses the special MLAK cylinder.

The Different Degrees Theatre Ensemble is a drama group for people of all abilities that creates self-devised theatre. The Ensemble learn many forms of dramatic skills. They meet at the Living and Learning Centre on Wednesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm during school terms. The Ensemble is directed by a professional theatre maker and is supported by assistant director, staff from Lane Cove Council and Sydney Community Services and volunteers.

To find out more about Different Degrees, contact the Disability Services Coordinator at Sydney Community Services by calling 02 8598 7055 or emailing support@sydneycs.org.

More information on disability services is available at Sydney Community Services.

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is Australia’s first national scheme for people with disability. It provides funding directly to individuals as well as helping people with disability connect to available community and government supports. If you want to find out more about the NDIS, including if you are eligible, visit www.ndis.gov.au.

How can I get further information and apply for the NDIS?

Uniting Local Area Coordination (LAC) are the partner in the community for the NDIS in Lane Cove. Uniting LAC can help with applying to the NDIS, using your plan and connecting to the community. During business hours, you can call Uniting LAC on 1300 453 303 or connect anytime by making an online enquiry at www.lac.uniting.org or sending an email to uniting.customercare@ndis.gov.au.

Where can I go if I’m having problems with a provider?

The NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission registers and regulates NDIS providers. They also work with people with disability to improve the quality and safety of their NDIS supports and services. If you have concerns or need to report an issue with someone providing you with NDIS supports, you can contact the commission on 1800 035 544 between 9:00am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday. You can also send an email anytime to contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au.

How can I contact Council about accessibility in our area?

If you have feedback or suggestions to improve local accessibility, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au.