Dietitians Australia has made a submission to the Australian Government’s Inclusive Communities Fund consultation, calling for food, nutrition, hydration, eating and drinking to be explicitly recognised as essential dimensions of community inclusion.
Our submission recommends that the Fund:
- explicitly include food, nutrition, hydration, eating and drinking in grant guidelines and assessment criteria
- enable community organisations to engage Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) for training, co-design, accessibility reviews and practical advice
- support accessible menus, texture-modified food capability, adaptive eating and drinking equipment, sensory-friendly environments and inclusive food activities
- ensure people with complex eating, drinking and nutrition needs are included
- prioritise equitable access for people on low incomes and those in regional, rural and remote communities
- develop sustainable resources and training that can be shared nationally
- ensure community capability-building complements rather than replaces individualised disability-related nutrition and dietetic supports.
DA has also recommended that the Australian Government fund a national training and resource program, developed by Dietitians Australia with disability-led partners, to help community organisations provide safe and inclusive food, eating and drinking environments.