Robyn Gobert's Disability column for 23rd May: DISABILITY ACCESS NEWS - MAY 2000
Railco is working toward becoming accessible and all-person usable. I was recently invited to look over the plans for the new toilet block at the Ravenshoe station. Atherton's station will be becoming accessible subject to funding.
Twelve months ago some of the Atherton students with disabilities, the People Working for Equity of Access, TREAT and representatives from the Atherton Shire Council planted a tree as PWEA's symbol of hope and ongoing commitment toward an integrated community. This little Curled Ivy tree is growing strongly, just like FNQ's awareness that the need for all-person access is fundamental to lifestyle for more than 35% of the population. That's not counting the Carers of people with disabilities.
Atherton's Video 2000 has chosen to access the advantages by building an internal ramp to provide access from the top to the lower section of their shop.
Sue Marshall of the Kuranda Promotion Group says that Telstra has agreed to install some accessible telephone booths. Now they can install some that are NOT up on a 20cm block of cement in all of our rural and remote areas. If you do not have an accessible public phone in your town, let me know.
The Rainforest and Reef Centre in Cardwell has an excellent display, built for all-person access. Such a shame this access hasn't been carried through to the toilets and stiff doors. I couldn't find an accessible public toilet anywhere in Cardwell.
Some are applauding the new Atherton library doors and some are cursing them. It seems they open so slowly they have become a hazard to some able-bodied users.
Eacham Council, I'm told, have called for an audit of all public buildings in the shire. It is hoped that funding will be sought to remedy the more pressing problems like the Majestic Theatre. Going to the movies is one pastime keenly sought after on the Tablelands.
The Advocacy Development Network recently held workshops in Cairns and one in Atherton. An Advocacy study group may be formed on the Tablelands. Please phone Mary Kenny on 3350 1682 to register your interest.
Congratulations to Northlands Agencies in Ravenshoe on their internal ramp.
Judy Davis of Kuranda invited me to attend a morning tea with other interested participants and people with disabilities in Kuranda. Del Shannon and Peter Warman from Mareeba Shire Council were also invited. We advocated for improved disability access in Kuranda.
Ability Access Tours, Vehicle Hire, Rental and Charter has invited me to do a number of access audits to assist them provide access data for their customers. If you'd like to be involved in these audits phone 4033 6293
Employment agencies please note: There is an employment opportunity for trained Carers to assist Tourists with disabilities.
Surely it is a waste of our money for the Government to print documents supplied for Community consultations in two minimally different styles - some in "department speak" and some in "plain English"? The majority would be able to comprehend the plain version.
Last week I met with the Queensland University of Technology. Supported by nine Government Agencies, they are conducting research into how information technology can be used to enhance social and economic development in rural and remote regions. They are interested in the development of the All-person Access Database and Mobility Map for Tropical North Queensland.
There are 94 students with disabilities attending James Cook University. That is an increase of 130% over the last three years. Disappointing that our State Schools can't be made equitably accessible. The Herberton Primary School, built just a few years ago, is partly inaccessible when it's supposedly been a requirement to provide equitable access for the past seven years. The Malanda High School could not access State Government funding to improve their accessibility.
Queensland Transport's Road Safety Action Plan for 200/2001is in development. It was excellent to see the Summit held in Cairns for the first time. When participating in the summit, it was obvious that the disability sector hadn't previously been represented. Surely this sector could have been identified as a stakeholder and invited to attend prior to this?
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