The equipment needs of people with disabilities in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions will soon be met by a high-tech mobile unit.
The mobile Independent Living Centre (ILC) unit, with four staff including occupational therapists, will provide people with information and services usually only available in Perth.
Through the mobile unit, people with disabilities will be able to access extensive information available through the ILC, view and even try out, disabilities equipment.
The Mobile Information Display Unit, one of only two of its kind in Australia, was launched today by Disability Services Minister Eric Ripper.
Mr Ripper said the launch was particularly relevant to the current International Year of Indigenous People, because Aboriginal people with disabilities would benefit.
The Western Australia-designed and built unit, funded by HACC, would first tour Perth and then travel to the Corregin/Wagin area in March, arriving in Karratha in May and Kununurra in early June.
The Pilbara and Kimberley visits were funded by the Federal Primary Industries department's Rural Access Program.
"Appropriate technology and equipment can significantly help to ameliorate the impact of disability, and this special unit will bring expertise to widespread areas of the State," Mr Ripper said.
"Country people with disabilities should not be doubly disadvantaged by their location, and expanded resources in the disabilities field with be equitably shared."
The unit carried about 1,000 items of disabilities equipment, all donated by the manufacturers, and local communities were assisting with accommodation, meals and fuel.
Mr Ripper said the unit would also report to the ILC on appropriate technology needs for outback conditions, and this would be passed on to manufacturers.
