Robyn Gobert's Disability Column for 17th October. DISABILITY ACCESS NEWS - OCTOBER 2000
A McDonald's restaurant on the Sunshine Coast refused to serve a man using an electric wheelchair at the drive through. The manager said it was policy not to serve anyone on rollerblades, pushbikes or wheelchairs. As the chair was registered with Qld Transport and the company had a television advertisement depicting a lady in a gopher stocking up on hamburgers, the man decided to launch a legal challenge. McDonald's has reversed their decision.
The Main Roads Dept invited me to their community consultation 5 year strategy forum and didn't check that the venue was equitably accessible. This oversight is just one of many within Government. The need for accessible and useable rest stops and the correct signage is being addressed.
The Olympics and Paralympics has created a surge of interest in sport and health promotion which Governments are hoping to encourage. This would be the perfect time to provide equitable access within the cycling strategies for people using mobility aids. This is embraced in Denmark and works beautifully.
Although the building predates these considerations the Holiday Inn is enthusiastically embracing all-person useability. Their staff have a commendable "can-do" attitude and the resort is presently useable with assistance.
Drivers without a permit who park in a disability bay at the Cairns Shopping Centres may be very embarrassed. Their Security Officers will place a big, hard to remove red sticker on your windscreen. It reads, "THIS CAR IS ILLEGALLY PARKED, PLEASE MOVE IT IMMEDIATELY!" I have requested they also broadcast reminder requests not to park in the disability zones.
Once a month I have dedicated this column to the needs of those with Mental Health issues. These people are right up against it here in FNQ. If you'd like to have input, phone Gill Palmer 4095 0182.
Robyn Gobert's Disability Column for 24th October:
The Bureau of Statistics tells us that in 1998 there were 3½ million Queenslanders, with 2.8% being of Indigenous origin. Within the 686,700 people who have a significant disability, 170,500 people are considered to have a "mild" disability, 127,500 live with a "moderate" disability and 526,000 people are severely disabled.
19.9%, 50.1% are men and 49.9% are women. Physical disabilities = 50.9%, sensory disability = 11.6%, psychiatric disability = 7.4%, intellectual disabilities = 7.2%, acquired brain injury = 3.3% and 19.6% have "other" disabilities.
These figures do not include those who are elderly or infirm. We have an increasing number of people over the age of 75. An estimated further 10% are disabled but not counted, as they do not receive a pension. Many people with significant disabilities aren't registered, as they do not consider themselves "disabled".
These numbers don't account for those with a broken limb or a "bad back" or those recovering from an operation, nor does it consider the needs of the significant percentage of the population who are also stakeholders in disability access.
Robyn Gobert's Disability Column.
My Carer and I have just returned from the Access Expo in Sydney. It was phenomenal! I'm now familiar with the latest and greatest and I'll welcome enquiries. There are some exciting inventions out there. The most outstanding difference we encountered while away was one of attitude. In the south there is an expectation that disability = equity. We were made welcome everywhere we went.
On our return flight we looked at access issues in Brisbane and we traveled up to Hervey Bay to be taken whale watching on board the Whalesong. The jetty and boat were accessible with assistance. Although it was the end of the season the whales were in great form. When Mum and baby played chasey around the boat it was so exciting to look into their eye and see these huge creatures close up. Not a dry eye on the boat when we all waved to one of the newborns and he breached and waved back.
They really have it all together in Hervey Bay. While campaigning, one of the Councilors met and spoke with a man who uses a wheelchair. Asked, "If you get into Council, what will you do for me?" This Council has precipitated a fantastic and positive change within attitudes and the building of their shire's infrastructure. Their "Links" video and their strategies have a quality and professionalism that is applaudable.
While in Brisbane my wheelchair got a flat tyre. I now know that RACQ will come to your rescue if you're a member.
The Qld University of Technology met with a number of community groups, including PWEA during their recent visit. They are interested in our progress and often send me reports on disability access from around the World.
FNQ has experienced a steady population increase of 1.5% in addition to our 222,451 north Queenslanders. International visitors to the region are up by 4.7%. Asia is our largest market, with 690,270 visitors for the year, and we've had a 39% increase from the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Having attended the Cycling Strategy and Main Roads Forums recently, I've been advocating for the inclusion of disability access within the cycling strategies. This is already being achieved to some degree, motivated by CBUG, but still hasn't been embraced across the board.
The Dept of Main Roads has just been given $78 million, within the $3.37 billion windfall for regional Queensland. Now would seem to be the time to implement such inclusive strategies. Qld has vowed to become the most desirable destination in Australia. Why continue to build an infrastructure that excludes 20% of our population and isn't as welcoming as it could be to those potential special interest tourists?
The Tinaroo Youth and Family Support Program is seeking refunding and is endeavoring to become equitably useable for the FNQ region. They are looking at providing activities that everyone can enjoy. I've suggested Riding For The Disabled and sailing with Sailability boats. Contact them at the Recreation Camp if you know of anything else.
Link Magazine has used some of the photographs taken by the Special Interest Tourism crew who were up here recently.
The fine for illegally parking in one of the few disability bays in the Cairns CBD is $50. The inequitable number of designated disability parking is exacerbated unless the bays are being diligently policed.
Atherton's Woolworths have some shopping trolleys that are useable by people using a wheelchair. People needing help are encouraged to phone ahead to ask for assistance.
In Scotland, developers can apply to have up to 50% of the cost of their project reimbursed if they provide equitable access.
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