Commitment to Disability Access and Inclusion reaffirmed

Beach matting installed at Town Beach at the end of the mobility ramp improved ocean access for everyone during the summer months.

Council has reaffirmed its ongoing support of people with disability by unanimously endorsing the recently reviewed Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP).

The five-year plan outlines the ways in which the City of Greater Geraldton will ensure people with disabilities have equal access to its facilities and services.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said local governments play an important role supporting people with disability to have greater participation in the community.

“The City is committed to continually improving access to our information and providing quality services, facilities, programs and events for people with disability,” he said.

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

“We have also worked behind the scenes incorporating readability features and Read speaker text to voice software on all our websites, built electric wheelchair and gopher recharging stations in City venues,  installed an audio loop in the QEII Lower Hall and provided sign language training for customer service staff.”

Over the next five years, the 2019 to 2023 DAIP will ensure the City continues to meet the needs and aspirations of people with disability.

“Revisions to the DAIP were informed by the results of an extensive Community Survey,” said Mayor Van Styn.

“The survey enabled people with disability, their carers, and their family and friends to tell us what we are doing right and where improvements still need to be made.

“Projects within our proposed Capital Works Plan and the renewals program in the 2019/20 Budget reflect the community’s feedback and will enable us to continue to improve access and inclusion across the City region.”

For more information on the DAIP visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au