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The Legal Services Commission seeks to give all South Australians equal access to justice through the legal system by providing legal information, legal advice and legal education to all. To those most in need, legal representation is also provided.
The Legal Services Commission is committed to:
The Legal Services Commission (the Commission) is an independent statutory authority. It is established by the Legal Services Commission Act 1977 (the Act) to provide legal assistance to people throughout the State.
It seeks to give all South Australians equal access to justice through the legal system, providing free legal information, legal advice and legal education to all. To those most in need, legal representation is also provided. The Commission is funded by both the South Australian government and the Commonwealth government and has the powers, functions and duties prescribed or imposed on it by the Act.
The LSC aims to be a workplace that values the individual and group differences in its workforce. The LSC will have clear strategic deliverables aligned to both the LSC Strategic Plan and the LSC Human Resource Strategy and these will be monitored by the Commissioners and the LSC Leadership Group (Executive).
The development of the LSC Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) has been guided by the principles set out in the National Disability Strategy 2010–2020 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
To provide quality, independent legal assistance to South Australians.
The LSC Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) furthers our vision and meets the changing needs of the community.
The Legal Services Commission Disability Access and Inclusion Plan is structured around the themes and priority areas of the Inclusive SA: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2020–2024.
Social inclusion is a priority for people living with disability as it affects all aspects of their lives. It is our aim that the contributions and rights of people living with disability are valued and understood by all South Australians and that their rights are promoted, upheld and protected. We also want to ensure that people living with disability are supported to advocate for their own rights.
Priority 1: Involvement in the community
Priority 2: Improving community understanding and awareness
Priority 3: Promoting the rights of people living with disability
| Action | State Plan Priority # | Responsibility | Timeframe | Measurable Target |
| 1. Establish community consultation and engagement practices with internal and external stakeholders that are accessible to people with disabilty | 1, 4 | Access Services (CLE, Media & Comms) Program Management Office | By June 2021 | People with disability are included in major consultations or stakeholder engagement activities. |
| 2. Increase community legal education programs to people with disability on their legal rights and how to access LSC services | 2 | Access Services (CLE) | Annual Community Legal Education (CLE) program inlcudes this | CLE annual program Data on the number of community education sessions, resources developed for people with disability nd attendeees of programs is captured. |
| 3. Celebrate and promote awareness of International Day of People with Disability (3 December) | 3 | Access Services (CLE, Media & Comms) | December each year | Report on activity to the LSC Commissioners and in funding reporting |
People living with disability want to have a greater role in leading and contributing to government and community decision-making. It is our aim that the perspectives of people living with disability are actively sought and that they are supported to participate meaningfully in government and community consultation and engagement activities.
Priority 4: Participation in decision-making
Priority 5: Leadership and raising profile
Priority 6: Engagement and consultation
| Action | State Plan Priority # | Responsibility | Timeframe | Measurable Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Establish community consultation and engagement practices with internal and external stakeholders that are accessible to people with disabilty | 4 | Access Services (CLE, Media & Comms) | By June 2021 | New organisational and individual stakeholders are identified and regularly engaged Increased engagement and input from people with disability in new LSC initiatives |
| 2. The LSC ensures opportunities for professional development in disability awareness are available to all staff The LSC ensures pathways into leadership roles exist for staff with disability who wish to pursue their advancement | 5 | Senior Managers Group Human Resources | By December 2021 | Performance Development discussions indicate interest Workforce statistics |
| 3. Where consultations are undertaken by LSC, representatives from disability support groups will be specifically invited | 6 | All areas undertaking consultations | As required | Terms of Reference |
The accessibility of the built environment, quality services and information is key to ensuring people living with disability are included and have the opportunity to equally participate in all aspects of community life. It is our aim to increase accessibility to public and community infrastructure, transport, services, information, sport and recreation and the greater community.
Priority 7: Universal Design across South Australia
Priority 8: Accessible and available information
Priority 9: Access to services
| Action |
State Plan Priority # | Responsibility | Timeframe | Measurable Target |
| 1. The LSC workplace and offices are accessible to staff and visitors, according to the principles of universal design with particular attention paid to physical, social and cultural accessibility and inclusion | 7 | Facilities Management Community Legal Education Human Resources | December 2021 | Disability access improvements achieved as part of office fitouts taking place in 2020-21 |
| 2. Ensure individual staff needs for workplace modifications are undertaken | 7 | Facilities Management Human Resources Managers | Annual program Adhoc | Reviewed as part of WHS self assessment program Raised by individuals as part of incident and hazard reporting Reasonable adjustment requests and access to workplace modifications are actioned in a timely way to facilitate the ease of process for employees with disability. |
| 3. Review disability access and signage across the LSC workplace and offices | 8 | Facilities Management Human Resources | June 2021 | Disability access improvements achieved as part of office fitouts taking place in 2020-21 and signage part of this |
| 4. LSC websites, complaint forms, promotional material, fact sheets, general correspondence and other information are accessible to persons with a disability according to the principles of universal design. | 7, 8, 9 | Access Services (CLE, Media & Comms) | June 2021 | Materials are reviewed for accessibility against universal design principles Future materials are designed from outset to be accessible according to universal design principles |
Workforce participation is fundamental to social inclusion. It provides economic independence and choice, social connections and friendships, value, identity and belonging. It is our aim that people living with disability have access to inclusive places of study and that education and training provides pathways to meaningful and inclusive employment and volunteering opportunities.
Priority 10: Better supports within educational and training settings
Priority 11: Skill development through volunteering and support in navigating the pathway between learning and earning
Priority 12: Improved access to employment opportunities and better support within workplaces
| Action |
State Plan Priority # | Responsibility | Timeframe | Measurable Target |
| 1. Ensure disability awareness is included in the staff induction process and throughout employment with the LSC | 10 | Human Resources | June 2021 | Staff induction module which includes certificate of completion Management and staff are provided with professional development required for supporting inclusive workplaces |
| 2. Ensure people with disability are priority placed into the Summer Clerkship and PLT programs to provide access to education and employment | 10, 11, 12 | Access Services (CLE) Human Resources | June 2021 | Programs advertised in additional forums accessed by people with disability Allocate a minimum of one placement per program for people with a disability |
| 3. Provide disability legal training to LSC staff. Extend this training to Community Legal Centre staff, where appropriate | 11 | Access Services (CLE) | January 2021 | MCPD records Training program objectives and content |
| 4. The LSC promotes a diverse workforce and seeks to attract, recruit, support and retain people with disability | 12 | Human Resources Senior Managers Group | June 2021 | LSC Strategic Plan HR Strategy Statistics on workforce demographics Inclusive statements in all job advertisements and job and person specifications Vacancies and recruitment processes are managed and conducted to maximise accessibility and inclusion |
| 5. Support flexible work arrangements (FWA) for people with disability and allow for accessible workplaces | 12 | Human Resources Senior Managers Group | June 2021 | Statistics on workforce undertaking FWA |
Consultation was undertaken through release of the Draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan on the LSC and ‘YourSay’ websites. This final document has taken feedback received into consideration.
The LSC DAIP will align with internal policies and procedures and the LSC Strategic Plan. This process will include a review of LSC existing policies, procedures and planning mechanisms to ensure that alignment to this DAIP is consistent.
LSC has incorporated disability justice initiatives across our community education programs and activities. Important examples of this include our Auslan videos and Braille legal education resources, the early incorporation of Read Speaker text to speech technology across our websites, training for key staff in digital accessibility, library of Easy Read English publications, our ongoing face to face community legal education initiatives and training for people with disability, family carers and disability support workers.
LSC participates in key disability justice advisory committees. Staff and practitioners have also received training in disability awareness and in working with people with complex communication needs.
The DAIP will be implemented by:
LSC Leadership Team (Executive): The Leadership team is responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership of the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to ensure that strategic, financial and operational decisions are made in the best interests of the LSC.
LSC Employees: All employees within the LSC.
Program Management Office: Program Management Office oversees and manages large scale projects across the LSC.
Facilities: Facilities Management.
Access Services: Access Services Division.
Community Legal Education (CLE): CLE team who provide legal education across the community.
Media & Comms: Media and Communications team.
Strategic Plan: The strategic vision and plan for the LSC.
Legal Services Commission DAIP - Final
26 November 2020
We embrace diversity and welcome all people, irrespective of culture, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Legal Services acknowledges Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and ongoing occupants of the lands and waters in South Australia and we respect their spiritual, cultural and heritage beliefs. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay our deep respect to Elders past and present.
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