Inclusion (Disability) Advisory Panel – expression of interest

The panel provides strategic, expert and impartial advice to the City of Sydney and helps develop, implement, monitor and review our policies, strategies and plans to advance the inclusion of people with disability.

Key areas where the panel provides advice includes: 

• issues that are important for people with disability
• inclusion and access to City of Sydney facilities, events, programs, services and systems
• our policy development, review and planning
• communication and access to City of Sydney information 
• advocacy opportunities, including submissions to NSW and federal governments on policy and legislation.

The panel is an advisory body. It does not have formal decision-making authority and members cannot act as representatives of the City of Sydney.

Panel members are individuals and do not represent an organisation or group. 

See the terms of reference for full details of the role and function of the panel.

The panel is made of up to 12 members with disability expertise. At least half the panel members are people who have lived experience of disability either personally or through a caring or support role.

We encourage people to apply that usually work, live or visit the City of Sydney’s local area.

We’re looking for people who have skills, experience, or knowledge in relation to disability in one or more of these areas:

• employment 
• housing 
• transport
• arts, culture, sport and recreation  
• service delivery and user/customer experience 
• government policy and strategy 
• mental health access, inclusion or reform
• media, communication and/or community engagement
• planning and design of buildings, facilities and public spaces
• laws about inclusion, access and social justice
• advocacy on disability inclusion and access.

If your application is successful, you will be appointed for a membership term up to 3 years. Panel members are eligible for reappointment for a further 3 years, up to a maximum of 6 years.

The panel meets 5 to 6 times a year. Dates and meeting place are confirmed at the start of each calendar year. Where Covid-19 restrictions apply, meetings are held online. Where it is safe to do so, meetings will be held in person at Sydney Town Hall or City of Sydney offices near Sydney Town Hall. Meetings are usually 2 hours long.

The City of Sydney will provide supports you may need to fully participate in meetings. This may include Auslan interpreters, live captioning and meeting papers in alternative formats. We are happy to discuss your needs and are committed to making the meetings inclusive of everyone.

City of Sydney employees prepare meeting agendas, minutes and papers. Panel members may also suggest agenda items that are relevant to the objectives of the panel. 

As well as attending meetings, you may be asked to review documents before or after meetings, and you may have the opportunity to provide advice or feedback ‘out of session’.

Panel members are reimbursed $300 for each meeting they attend in recognition of their commitment of time and expertise. 

Panel members who require additional support to attend or participate in meetings may also be reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses such as payment for a support worker and transport expenses, where public transport is not suitable.

Your application is considered along with others, so that together, the panel has wide expertise across disability types, inclusion and access skills, experience and knowledge, and knowledge of local issues. 

Your application will be reviewed by a panel of City of Sydney representatives including the current chair. After this review, the City of Sydney’s Chief Executive Officer will recommend a list of panel members for Council to ratify. 

You may be asked to attend an informal interview as part of the selection process. If successful, there may be an induction session before the first panel meeting.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in early 2022.