Council renews commitment to access and inclusion

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn (right) and Disability Services Commission Count-Me-In Ambassador in the Midwest Chris Kerr, check out the recently repaved footpath on Sanford Street which greatly improves accessibility to the buildings and properties.

Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing an accessible and inclusive community by endorsing the recently amended Disability Access and Inclusion Policy.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said a review of the five-year old policy showed it no longer aligned with recent revisions to the Western Australia Disability Services Regulations.

“In 2013, Council formalised its commitment to ensuring our community is an accessible and inclusive one for people with disability, their families and carers by endorsing the Disability Access and Inclusion Policy,” he said.

“The policy recognises that people with a disability have a right to quality services, facilities, programs and events that enable them to live and fully participate in our community.

“This means people with disability will be provided with the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities enjoyed by other people in our City which includes employment at the City.”

Disability Services Commission Count-Me-In Ambassador in the Midwest, Chris Kerr, said it is very important for people with disability to be part of the community.

“It is essential for everyone, regardless of their ability, to be present, seen and connected to their community,” she said.

“Over the past five years the City has improved existing infrastructure and built new facilities which make public open spaces, our foreshore and our City more inclusive and welcoming.

“This includes creation of a MLAK (Master Locksmiths Access Key) Changing Place facility in the toilet block behind the Visitor Centre and the provision of beach wheelchairs which now means our beautiful beaches and the ocean are more accessible.

“I am so pleased to see that Council has widened its commitment to ensure people with disability have the same opportunities as other people to obtain and maintain employment with the City,” she added.

The  City’s Disability  Access  and  Inclusion  Policy is supported by the Disability  Access  and  Inclusion  Plan which aims  to ensure  that  universal  access  is  available  to  the  whole  community  and therefore  ensures  that  the  Greater  Geraldton  economy  can  benefit  from  all sectors of our community and visitors alike.