Access and inclusion

We are committed to ensuring access and inclusion for people who live in and/or visit our city.

Rural Access is a community development program which supports, educates and empowers people to be independent within the community.

The work undertaken by the staff has been around the built environment, and educational programs. The role is also one of advocacy.

Projects

Projects undertaken by the team include:

• Providing an accessible website for the City of Greater Bendigo
• The Visual Bus Timetable supports clients to use the public transport system along the bus routes of Bendigo to Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo to Eaglehawk, including the return journey.  It has been designed is in an easy to read format that meets the requirements for accessibility, and enable people with communication and orientation difficulties, and those with English as a second language, an easier way to communicate with drivers and staff.
• Technical staff have been providing training on the requirements to ensure inclusion within the built and natural environments
• Developing scooter recharge points across the municipality and development and distribution of the Stay Safe Scooter Booklet
• Access and Events Management Guide
• Working with tertiary education to implement changes to curriculum on access and inclusion
• Liberty Swing. This is a first for the City of Greater Bendigo. A Liberty Swing designed for children with disabilities is enjoyed by children at Strathdale Park.
  The Liberty Swing is an Australian invention which works like most other swings except that it is bigger and features a ramp allowing a wheelchair to be loaded onto it.
  This installation of this type of equipment ties in with our commitment to be a child friendly city and it also forms part of our Community Access and Inclusion Plan to provide a more accessible environment for all people with disabilities.
  Anyone wanting to access keys for the Liberty swing should contact the City of Greater Bendigo's Rural Access Project Officer Chris Walters on 5434 6316 or by email to c.walters@bendigo.vic.gov.au

Useful links

The Visual Bus Timetable supports clients to use the public transport system along the bus routes of Bendigo to Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo to Eaglehawk, including the return journey.  It has been designed is in an easy to read format that meets the requirements for accessibility, and enable people with communication and orientation difficulties, and those with English as a second language, an easier way to communicate with drivers and staff.

Companion Card promotes the rights of people with a disability, who require a companion, to fair ticketing at Victorian events and venues.

Scooter Recharge Scheme lists all the premises where people with electric scooters and wheelchairs can recharge their devices ini Bendigo and around the state of Victoria.

Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) responsibilities include education and public awareness, discrimination and human rights complaints, human rights compliance
policy and legislative development.

The Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012 brings into focus the Victorian Government's vision for disability in the future and strategies for realising this vision.
The plan outlines the approach to disability by the Victorian Government and the community, and reaffirms the rights of people with a disability to live and take part in community life as citizens of Victoria.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) provides leadership to councils by supporting them to achieve the highest levels of respect and recognition through improved performance.

A Fairer Victoria is the Victorian Government Social Policy Action Plan - a $788 million investment in 14 strategy areas aimed at reducing disadvantage and creating opportunities.

WorkFocus Australia is the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC). Our role is to facilitate the provision of employment for people with a disability by providing employers with access to a single, free and effective contact point for recruiting people with disabilities

Association of Consultants in Access, Australia (ACA) is a national membership-based professional association for people working to achieve accessibility of the built environment for people with a disability.

Community resources available to hire

Residents with a driver's licence and appropriate tow bar on their vehicle can tow the portable accessible toilet.

This facility can be rented from our Customer Service Centre for either private or public events.

The flexibility provided by its mobility has created new recreational and sporting opportunities for people with a disability who might have previously been disadvantaged by the simple omission of an accessible toilet facility.

For more information and to hire equipment, please contact Customer Service on 5434 6000 during office hours.

Publications

Click on the front cover pictures below to view the publication.