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6 December 2019

In support of the International Day of People with Disability, Mornington Peninsula Shire is recognising and celebrating the achievements of its Disability Advisory Committee over the past year.

The purpose of the Disability Advisory Committee is to work with the Shire to improve access to services, programs and infrastructure for people with disabilities on the Mornington Peninsula.

Councillor Mayor Sam Hearn said: “The Disability Advisory Committee plays an important role in the community by advising Council on how to be more accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities.

“Their work in implementing the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Disability Inclusion Plan helps to break down barriers and makes a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Councillor Antonella Celi, delegate to the Committee said: “Council, in partnership with the Disability Advisory Committee, is continuing to assist businesses, organisations and the community to make real life changes that improve access and inclusion for people with disabilities.

“Sometimes the everyday things like access ramps to your favourite restaurant and recreation centre or having a website that is accessible for people with low vision can make a world of difference. There are many types of improvements we need to think about to improve accessibility across the Peninsula.”

Key achievements of the Committee in 2019 include:

• The appointment of Committee Chairperson Karen Fankhauser to the Victorian Disability Advisory Council for a three-year term
• Rosebud Aquatic Centre consultation resulted in the addition of many accessible features that will ensure the centre is a world-class leader for inclusion
• Advocacy resulted in 3D models being built of the Rosebud Aquatic Centre and the Mornington Community Centre to provide a tactile representation for those who are blind or have difficulty understanding plans
• Mornington Community Centre consultation resulted in wider doorways, access to outdoor play spaces for all, provision for an adult accessible change facility, lower counter at reception area and accessible height kitchen utilities (usable for wheelchair users, people of short stature and children)
• Advocacy for the installation of wheelchair restraints on buses
• Advocacy through the Best Bites program to encourage better access to cafes, restaurants and experiences for everyone
• Advocacy for inclusive foreshores through the installation of universally-designed picnic tables, with the first prototype due to be installed at Rosebud Football Oval
• Advocacy for Changing Places toilets resulted in the third facility being built in Hastings this year

Supported the roll-out of accessible beach matting at Mills Beach and Mount Martha.