12/11/96
Borrowing a book, enjoying a concert and even popping to the local shops
are simple pleasures denied to some 300,000 Western Australians.
Disability Services Minister Kevin Minson today launched the Access
Resource Kit, which will help State Government agencies, local authorities and
businesses open up their services to people with disabilities.
"Since
the Coalition Government introduced the 1993 Disability Service Act, over 250
public authorities have started taking real action on this issue," Mr Minson
said.
"It is
vital that the 300,000 Western Australians who have some sort of disability are
able to access the same services and facilities as the rest of the community.
"The
Access Resource Kit will help in this process, offering a checklist system which
enables service providers to meet the needs of people with disabilities."
The kit
outlines various types of disability and how this can impede people's access to
services and offers a simple system for various areas where access is required,
such as transport, education and recreational and sporting venues.
Also
highlighted are some of the common factors which can impede access to services,
such as the lack of audio loops to help people with a hearing impairment
participate in meetings or concerts, or the size of print used in publications,
which can prevent a visually impaired person from reading.
Mr
Minson said there were examples across Western Australia of access improvements,
such as the Treetop Walk near Walpole and Mammoth Cave near Margaret River.
"In the
metropolitan area, local authorities such as Canning, Wanneroo and Stirling are
setting excellent examples in this area," he said.
"These
authorities are willing to open up facilities such as child care centres,
libraries and public open spaces to make them accessible to people with
disabilities.
"This
should be the aim of all public authorities and the Access Resource Kit will
help.
"It has
been put together with the assistance of people with disabilities and their
carers and organisations such as ACROD and the Independent Living Centre.
"I am
also pleased to say the Western Australian Municipal Association and Institute
of Municipal Management are endorsing the Kit.
"The
end result will be better access for people with disabilities."
Media
contact: Caroline Lacy 222 9211 or 015 083 526
Tanya
Coli, Disability Services Commission 426 9328
