Big win for local tourism businesses and people living with disability

Representatives from Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine, Deakin University, WorkSafe Victoria and the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust celebrate funding for the project.

THE Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has received $1.04 million funding to increase the accessibility and employability readiness of Geelong and Bellarine businesses.

Victorian Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford and Geelong MP Christine Couzens announced the funding from the state government last week.

AFDO will head a two-year project totalling $1.76 million, in partnership with Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine, Deakin University, WorkSafe Victoria and the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

The funding will extend the reach of AFDO’s Diversity Field Officer Service, the first tertiary research-backed initiative of its kind in Australia.

It provides practical strategies for small and medium sized businesses to improve accessibility, remove barriers to employ and retain people who have, or acquire a disability, creating more welcoming destinations and customer experiences.

This project will engage 110 workplaces across the region, with businesses receiving tailored support, access to expert workshops, culminating in a comprehensive marketing campaign led by Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine to promote the region as Australia’s leading accessible travel destination.

“This funding recognises the expertise of AFDO as the leading national peak organisation representing the needs and aspirations of people with disability as well as our proven ability to build the capacity of small and medium businesses, demonstrated over the last three years in our work with 60 businesses in this unique region’, AFDO chief executive officer Ross Joyce said.

“We are excited to work with our project partners to significantly increase the accessibility of the Geelong and the Bellarine, so that it can serve as a model for other regions across Australia of the real benefits of accessible tourism.

“We will also showcase the long overlooked skills, creative thinking and resilience that people with disability can bring to every workforce.”