Anglesea resident Elle Steele knows the importance of a well-connected community where people of all abilities can participate.
Ms Steele is a 2000 Paralympian swimmer who feels most at home in the water, whether that be the ocean or pool.
“Access to much-loved spots is essential for both community members and visitors, to ensure equality and to ensure that as we all get older, we can continue to thrive in the local community,” she said.
It’s why Surf Coast Shire Council’s Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Program is vital, as it means people with disability have equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to community life.
Ms Steele welcomed the changes being made locally to foster a more accessible and inclusive community.
“It’s wonderful to see access to the beaches becoming a priority, and also community venues,” she said.
“Disability can happen at any age, so we may as well make everything accessible for everyone now.”
A 2020 building accessibility audit of the top 20 most-used spaces across the shire has enabled Council to prioritise various DDA projects, including upgrades at five facilities – Anglesea Community House, Bob Pettitt Recreation Reserve in Jan Juc, Globe Theatre in Winchelsea, Lorne Community Connect and Moriac Community Hall.
Wider doors, accessible door knobs and updated braille signage have been installed, along with luminance contrast which assists people who have vision impairment to easily find access points.
At Lorne Community Connect the ambulant toilet has been upgraded, making it more accessible for people including those with a disability, carers, and people with mobility aids such as walking frames and crutches.
Projects planned for this financial year include:
• a new ramp at Anglesea Community House;
• accessibility improvements to the Price Street community precinct in Torquay;
• seeking certification of Changing Places facilities – for people with high physical support needs – at
Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre and Wurdi Baierr Stadium in North Torquay so they can feature on a national map; and
• an audit of all accessible car parking on Council-managed property to understand if there is a sufficient number and appropriately positioned parking spaces.
