Focus Area 5: Staged actions - from 2026 to 2029
Commitment 1: Consider how the built environment may impact Autistic people and identify opportunities for improvement across current and future infrastructure projects.
Target
Improve the standardisation of autism inclusion in infrastructure projects.
Action
Conduct an audit of existing state government owned facilities, including physical assets, operations, and management, to include consideration of accessibility and inclusivity for all people, including Autistic people.
Lead: Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing
Target Date: 2027
Action
Improve the existing built environment on campuses to be more accessible, including sensory spaces.
Lead: TAFE SA
Target Date: 2029
Target
Ensure that accessibility and inclusion is considered from the very beginning of the planning process.
Action
Ensure employees are trained to provide advice to state government agencies on the application of best practice principles in relation to designing for the autism community.
Lead: Department for Housing and Urban Development
Target Date: 2026
Commitment 2: Identify ways to improve accessible transport options and the accessibility of public spaces and venues, including signage and wayfinding tools.
Target
Ensure public events are designed to be sensory-friendly and supportive so everyone can fully participate.
Action
Deliver the Sensory Bus Project to provide a sensory space at major government and non-government events across South Australia.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2026
Target
Improve public spaces and venues to be accessible and inclusive of Autistic people.
Action
Review and include requirements around designing for the Autistic and autism community in state-based procurement guidelines.
Lead: Department of Treasury and Finance
Target Date: 2028
Target
Improve the accessibility of public transport systems to support Autistic people navigate their journey.
Action
Incorporate any relevant findings into the design and delivery of the Department of Human Services-funded Community Transport SA services to support access and inclusion of Autistic people.
Lead: Department of Human Services and Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Target Date: 2026
Action
Investigate the introduction of quiet carriages and/or services and spacious zones with window tinting, less stickers and advertising on public transport.
Lead: Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Target Date: 2029
Action
Investigate the introduction of seats on public transport that showcase not all disabilities are visible and the availability of badges that public transport users can wear to help promote understanding of hidden disabilities to other passengers that the individual may require additional support or consideration.
Lead: Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Target Date: 2029
Action
Promote the Try Before You Ride initiative to provide Autistic people, and/or people with disability who may not feel confident using public transport, and their support people, with a safe and supportive environment.
Lead: Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Target Date: 2029
Commitment 3: Partner with organisations, sporting clubs, local councils and community services to support inclusive initiatives for Autistic people of all ages.
Target
Collaborate with the Autistic and autism community to ensure activities and services are autism inclusive.
Action
Amend SA Youth Week grant guidelines to require organisations to consider and/or collaborate with the Autistic and autism communities when planning and organising Youth Week activities and events.
Lead: Department of Human Services
Target Date: 2026
Target
Improve new and/or existing programs and services to ensure they are accessible and inclusive to allow Autistic people to fully participate.
Action
Consider scope and objectives of the Community Grants Program for 2025 which provides funding to community and non-government organisations to implement inclusion initiatives.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
Target Date: 2026