Intro
The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) acknowledges Aboriginal people throughout Western Australia as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and communities in which we operate.
CITS is committed to developing strong working relationships with Aboriginal people, is proud to celebrate the cultural diversity, strength and resilience of Aboriginal people, and is deeply grateful for the contributions they make to the State of Western Australia.
We pay our respects to all Aboriginal people and their cultures, and to Elders past and present.
CITS recognises the experiences and expertise of people with disability, including their families, carers and support networks. We commit to engaging with people with disability and ensuring they can live as they choose in a community where everyone belongs and is safe.
I am proud to present the inaugural Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2026 to 31. This plan outlines our unwavering commitment to creating a Western Australia where every person – regardless of ability – can participate fully in the cultural, creative, sporting and tourism experiences that make our State extraordinary.
This plan sets a clear direction for CITS for the next 5 years. It aligns with A Western Australia for Everyone - State Disability Strategy 2020-2030 and is underpinned by our Strategic Plan 2026-2029, which places inclusion, innovation and collaboration at the heart of everything we do.
Our vision is bold — to nurture a State where imagination shapes the future, and where diversity and accessibility are recognised as essential to cultural, social and economic strength.
Through this DAIP, we will continue to remove barriers, improve access to our programs, services and facilities, and embed inclusive practices across our organisation.
This plan is a commitment to action. It ensures that people with disability, their families and carers have equitable opportunities to engage with our work, whether as participants, employees or partners.
We will achieve this by working collaboratively with communities, listening to those with lived experience, and holding ourselves accountable to the values of inclusivity, innovation, collaboration and accountability.
I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed their insights and experiences during the development of this plan.
Your voices have shaped a roadmap that will guide us in creating a more inclusive Western Australia – one where everyone can live, work, play, create and explore.
Director General
On behalf of the Western Australian (WA) Government, CITS delivers programs, services and experiences that make WA vibrant, healthy, connected and prosperous. Our work is central to the State’s economic diversification, cultural vitality and social wellbeing — supporting jobs and opportunities, strengthening mental and physical health, and fostering trust and participation across communities.
Our vision is clear: Western Australia is an extraordinary place to live, work, play, create and explore — where imagination shapes our future.
To achieve this, we collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, community organisations and peak bodies to deliver outcomes that reflect our values of accountability, collaboration, inclusivity and innovation. Guided by our Strategic Plan 2026-2029, we are focussed on creating sustainable industries, inclusive communities and worldclass experiences that benefit all Western Australians.
CITS leads and supports a diverse range of ministerial portfolios, underpinned by strong corporate and strategic services that ensure effective and efficient delivery across:
CITS acknowledges that Aboriginal peoples, as First Peoples of Australia, have a unique place in society. Through Aboriginal History WA, CITS provides research services to support Aboriginal people in accessing personal and family records. CITS also contributes to cross-government initiatives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and cultural development.
Beyond program delivery, CITS leads the planning, funding, and maintenance of major cultural and sporting infrastructure, oversees the State Records Office, and has spearheaded the development of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
All CITS’ functions are supported by a strong internal framework of corporate, strategic and executive services, ensuring effective and efficient delivery across our portfolios.
Western Australia is an extraordinary place to live, work, play, create and explore — where imagination shapes our future.
To deliver exceptional experiences and services that make Western Australia vibrant, healthy, connected and prosperous.
We deliver on our commitments, act resourcefully and strive for continuous improvement.
We embrace diversity, engage with respect and value authentic connections.
We work together and leverage our strengths, talent and perspectives.
We are bold and reimagine possibilities through curiosity, creativity and adaptability.
CITS is deeply connected to communities across WA and actively engaged on the global stage.
In WA, we operate 17 offices across 9 regions, ensuring local delivery of programs and services that strengthen participation, inclusion and economic opportunities. These offices play a vital role in supporting creative industries, tourism and sport and recreation initiatives tailored to regional needs.
Beyond our State borders, CITS maintains an international footprint to showcase WA as an extraordinary destination and hub for creativity and innovation. Our offices throughout the world build strategic partnerships, attract investment, and promote WA’s tourism, creative and sporting experiences to global audiences.
CITS provides affordable, highquality outdoor recreation experiences that encourage active lifestyles and community connection.
The following points demonstrate the significant progress and achievements made across the various CITS programs and initiatives that support and promote inclusion, accessibility, and participation for people with disability in WA:
CITS takes a broad view of disability, covering visible and hidden disability. This includes, but is not limited to, physical, sensory, cognitive, neurological, psychiatric, or intellectual conditions that impact a person’s ability to participate fully in daily life. CITS also recognises the broader context in which disability is experienced, including the role of carers.
The following statistics provide context on the prevalence and impact of disability in Australia, highlighting the importance of access and inclusion initiatives and informing the development of our DAIP.
The Disability Services Act 1993 (the Act) requires WA Government agencies to develop and implement DAIPs to promote access and inclusion for people with disability. CITS DAIP is a framework to ensure people with disability have the same opportunities, access to services, events, facilities and information as others.
CITS conducted internal consultation across all teams through its Strategic Policy Coordination Network. A working group was established following an internal expression of interest, with representatives including individuals living with disability or who have family members living with disability and staff who are carers of people living with disability. The working group participated in meetings and workshops to provide a Lived Experience perspective and help advise and shape the DAIP.
Review of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries DAIP 2019–2024, and investigation of contemporary trends and best practice in access and inclusion plans formed part of the research for this DAIP. Work conducted for the update to the third action plan for the State Disability Strategy, Australia’s Disability Strategy and the Western Australian Response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was also considered and incorporated where appropriate.
The draft CITS DAIP 2026–31 was distributed to various networks through our digital and social platforms and in The West Australian newspaper for public feedback, including offering alternate channels for accessibility.
We listened to the feedback provided and updated the draft DAIP accordingly. Key updates include the use of stronger, action-focused language to reinforce CITS’ commitment to measurable outcomes, and the inclusion of references to carers as well as people with disability, reflecting CITS’ role as a carer friendly workplace. The DAIP now more clearly outlines CITS’ responsibilities in supporting funded programs and events to incorporate accessibility and inclusivity strategies. It also integrates best practice guidance from the Australian Disability Network by embedding pragmatic universal design principles that emphasise practical, achievable actions using existing resources.1
The Act requires CITS to operate in a way that is consistent with this DAIP. Responsibility for implementing the DAIP sits with all teams and staff across CITS, ensuring that inclusive practices are embedded throughout the department.
CITS Corporate Executive is responsible for oversight of the DAIP, with the Extended Leadership Team championing its implementation.
as well as key reporting requirements and milestones. Action owners are responsible for the implementation of actions; and the CITS Strategy and Transformation team lead the monitoring and reporting to track progress.
CITS will report annually to the Department of Communities in accordance with reporting requirements. In addition, progress updates and reporting will be provided:
The following strategies will guide CITS’ efforts to improve access and inclusion to services and events, buildings and facilities, information, quality of service, complaints, consultation processes and employment.
1.1 Actively explore ways to apply pragmatic universal design principles to CITS services and events, leveraging technology, education and advocacy to improve access and inclusion for people with disability.
1.2 Encourage and support organisations delivering CITS-funded events to integrate access and inclusion strategies into planning and delivery.
1.3 Improve the accessibility of grant programs, including assessment processes.
1.4 Promote and raise awareness of relevant CITS programs and events to people with disability from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds through targeted communication strategies and channels.
1.5 Ensure programs and activities funded or supported by CITS provide participation opportunities for children and young people with disability.
2.1 Maintain and improve accessibility of all CITS workplace buildings and facilities ensuring compliance with disability accessibility standards and best practice. Apply pragmatic universal design principles to deliver practical, achievable enhancements using existing resources.
2.2 Improve the accessibility of CITS managed assets during replacement projects that occur through the asset maintenance program.
2.3 Provide opportunities for people with disability to contribute to major infrastructure projects led by CITS.
3.1 Provide information in alternative accessible formats, using supported technology across all CITS platforms including closed caption video, streamed resources, audio descriptions and screen reader compatibility.
3.2 Ensure interpreter services, including Auslan, are available to improve the accessibility of key services provided by CITS.
3.3 Ensure CITS website meets accessibility standards and provides current inclusion-related information.
3.4 Continuously improve capability of accessibility and inclusivity functions on Tourism WA websites.
4.1 Strengthen disability awareness by ensuring CITS staff – including counter staff, call takers and recreation camp staff — have the knowledge and skills to support people (including fellow staff) with disability and their families and carers.
4.2 Promote the DAIP and CITS responsibilities to all staff.
4.3 Provide CITS staff with mandatory disability awareness training, including targeted child safeguarding training.
4.4 Recognise significant access and inclusion events within the corporate calendar, for example, International Day of People with Disability.
5.1 Ensure CITS has a transparent, accessible, whole-of-agency approach to complaint management, including multichannel processes for accessibility-related complaints by staff and visitors.
disability.
5.3 Make CITS child-friendly complaints materials accessible for children and young people with disability.
People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation undertaken by CITS.
carers and relevant peak bodies.
6.2 Develop and implement a CITS Consultation Guideline to support people with disability and carers to access and participate in consultation activities using varied communication styles and channels.
6.3 Increase opportunities for people with disability to co-design, consult on, and test strategies, plans, programs and services to ensure experiences at CITS are accessible.
7.1 Develop/review strategies and policies to improve attraction, recruitment and retention of CITS staff with disability and carers, including consideration of recruitment via disability employment organisations.
7.2 Ensure CITS recruitment policies, procedures, templates and language formats are accessible to people with disability.
maintain the CITS accreditation as a Disability Confident Recruiter.
7.4 Ensure Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans are reviewed annually and distributed to relevant stakeholders to ensure CITS staff with disability are safe and well while at work.
1 Australian Disability Network (2024) Pragmatic Universal Design: Making inclusion achievable now. Accessed 7 January 2026.
Published by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, Western Australia. Any representation, statement, opinion, or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith and on the basis that the government, its employees and agents are not liable for any damage or loss whatsoever which may occur as a result of action taken or not taken, as the case may be, in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to herein.
The CITS DAIP 2026-31 is valid from March 2026 to 30 June 2031.