MEMBERS of Ballarat\u2019s all-access community came together on Monday, 3 December to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.<\/p>\n
The event held by Lake Wendouree saw awards given to businesses that provide great service and facilities to all-access customers, as well as a gong for advocacy.<\/p>\n
Mark Thompson is from the Ballarat Peer Action Group and helped organise the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been running the access awards for the last couple of years and this is the first time we\u2019ve done highrecommendations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Thompson also said the awards can have real and lasting impacts on accessibility for people who have issues with things many people might take for granted.<\/p>\n
When it comes down to it, money talks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means they have to start changing their attitude to get our business into their business,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOtherwise their missing out on our dollars, because our dollars are just as good as anyone else\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Shane Everard\/ Matt Mattson Access and Inclusion Award was won by Sebastopol Bowls Club for good access, affordable meals and friendly service.<\/p>\n
High-commendations were also given to Sovereign Hill for ramp access and wide doorframes, The Robin Hood Hotel for good parking and an all-abilities accessible toilet, and Woolworths in Howitt Street for their quiet shopping times.<\/p>\n
Also awarded was the Ballarat Volunteer Advocate of the Year. It went to Shirley Mitchell.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s a tireless campaigner for better all ability access at everything from shops and entertainment venues to transport services and community spaces. She took a humble approach to her award.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s breathtaking and fantastic but I only do the same as everybody else does, when I see a need I raise it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I see or have heard of something that needs to be rectified, like an inaccessible bus stop or toilet, or Ballarat Station, I just go for it and try and do what I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with the awards the event saw a relaunch of the Easy Access Report Card, a tool where people can rate businesses on how well they are doing in the all-ability access space.<\/p>\n
David Craig, who\u2019s been working in disability services for 40 years, said the report cards were developed by Mr Thompson as a tool to help everyone decide where they can spend their money based on access for the whole community.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the ideas we have talked about is the idea of encouraging everyone to only go to places that are accessible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try and do that myself because it\u2019s a way of encouraging businesses to be motivated by the economic reasons for being accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS of Ballarat\u2019s all-access community came together on Monday, 3 December to celebrate International Day of People with Disability. The event held by Lake Wendouree saw awards given to businesses that provide great service and facilities to all-access customers, as well as a gong for advocacy. Mark Thompson is from the Ballarat Peer Action Group […]<\/p>\n