western australia

Disability Access
and Inclusion Plan
2013-2018

WHO ARE WE
The Economic Regulation Authority performs a range of regulatory functions and provides
advice to the Government on important economic issues.
In our regulatory role, we assess the terms and conditions, including prices, offered by
owners of monopoly infrastructure to third parties in the gas, electricity and rail industries.
We license providers of gas, electricity and water services and monitor compliance with
licensing conditions. We also have a range of responsibilities in gas retailing and surveillance
of the Western Australian wholesale electricity market.
In our advisory role, we inquire into and report on matters referred to us by the State
Government. Inquiries, and the reports which follow, generally involve extensive public
consultation carried out in an independent and transparent way.
Our functions are designed to maintain a competitive, efficient and fair commercial
environment (particularly where businesses operate as natural monopolies) for the benefit
of the Western Australian community. We are responsible for ensuring that utilities operate
in accordance with the law and that customers are not disadvantaged by limited competition
and choice.

Our Purpose
To ensure consumers receive quality services for a reasonable price

Our Values
To succeed in achieving our purpose, we are guided by the following values:
Impartiality We make independent decisions that are free from bias
Integrity We will be fair and honest in our work
Continuous Improvement We strive to achieve excellence in the way we do things
Transparency Our processes are visible and our decisions clearly explained
Teamwork We work together to achieve our goals

People with Disability in Western Australia

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics approximately 20 per cent of
people in Western Australia (one in five) report to have a disability and about
12 per cent of Western Australians are carers for people with disability.
The impact of a disability on an individual varies according to factors like the physical, social and economic
environment within which the person lives and the specific nature and severity of the disability.
While the degree and type of disability varies with individual circumstances, people with disability frequently report
that they experience difficulty being independently mobile, or being able to see, hear or communicate.
As a consequence, people with disabilities face barriers to everyday activities such as:
reading and understanding public notices or newsletters.
accessing websites.
hearing what is said at a public meeting.
The impact of these barriers can be minimised with informed planning.

Access and inclusion for people with disabilities, their families and
carers
The ERA is committed to:
ensuring that people with disabilities, their families and carers are able to fully access the ERAs information,
services and facilities, providing them with the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities that other
people in the community enjoy.
consulting with people with disabilities, their families and carers and disability organisations to ensure that
barriers to access and inclusion are addressed appropriately.

Our previous Disability Access and Inclusion Plans

The following strategies and achievements were implemented in previous Disability Access and Inclusion Plans:
The establishment of a Working Group to guide the implementation of activities and outcomes of the
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.
The implementation of an accessibility telephone service to assist the public to participate in our public
consultation processes.
The introduction of training and processes to ensure our information, services and facilities are accessible.
The review of our website for accessibility.

Development of the 2013-2018 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan

The drafting, implementation, monitoring and review of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan is the responsibility
of the ERAs Disability Access and Inclusion Working Group.
The consultation process
The Working Group asked staff for feedback while developing our 2013-18 Plan. The initiatives from previous Plans
were reviewed to identify areas of improvement. The Working Group also consulted with the Disability Services
Commission.
Communicating the plan to staff and people with disabilities
The Plan was advertised in The West Australian newspaper and promoted on the ERA website.

Economic Regulation Authority

Reporting
The Working Group will monitor the progress of the 2013-18 Plan through the ERAs annual report and annual
progress reports to the Disability Services Commission.

Strategies to improve access and inclusion 2013-2018

The ERA has an ongoing commitment to develop and implement strategies to improve access and inclusion. The
following strategies will guide the ERA to improve access to our information, services and facilities from 2013 to
2018.
Outcome 1: People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the
services of, and any events organised by, the ERA
The objectives of the Plan are incorporated into the ERAs strategic planning.
All promotions and public events organised by the ERA are designed and prepared to be as accessible as
possible for people with disabilities and their carers.
Promote the Plan to staff and stakeholders via the ERA website.

Outcome 2: People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the
building and other facilities of the ERA
Ensure that all ERA offices and other venues leased by the ERA are physically accessible to people with
disabilities and their carers.
Ensure that ERA occupational health and safety procedures meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Outcome 3: People with disability receive information from the ERA in a format that will enable
them to access the information as readily as other people
All ERA publications will be generated in accordance with accessibility best practice guidelines.
Ensure the ERAs website is as accessible as possible.

Outcome 4: People with disability receive the same level and quality of service from ERA staff
as other people receive from ERA staff
Ensure that staff provide the same quality of service to all people.
Accessibility information is regularly reviewed and easily available to staff.
Ensure disability awareness is included in induction for new staff.

Outcome 5: People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to make
complaints to the ERA
Provide people with disabilities and their carers the option of making complaints in a way that is accessible.
Have grievance mechanism processes available to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2013-2018

Outcome 6: People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate in
any public consultation by the ERA
The ERA will inform disability and community organisations about ERA events and public consultation
opportunities.
Improve community awareness about ERA consultation processes via the ERA website.
Ensure that venues where public events are held are easily accessible for people with disabilities.

Outcome 7: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access and
participate in employment within the Economic Regulation Authority
Promote the ERA as an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and ensure all employees and future
employees are not subject to any discrimination.
Support employees through job design, flexible working arrangements and appropriate resources.
Ensure that internal policies prohibit discrimination and harassment.

Economic Regulation Authority

 Economic Regulation Authority 2013

This document is available from the Economic Regulation Authority at www.erawa.com.au and is
available upon request in alternative formats such as large print, electronic format (CD or emailed),
audio or Braille.
For further information contact the Economic Regulation Authority.

Address
Economic Regulation Authority
Level 4, Albert Facey House
469 Wellington Street Perth WA 6000
4
Disability Access and Inclusion

Postal Address
Economic Regulation Authority
PO Box 8469
Perth BC WA 6849
Plan 2013-2018

Telephone 08 6557 7900

Email
customerservice@erawa.com.au
Website www.erawa.com.au