MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE COUNCIL

ACCESSIBLE EVENTS GUIDE

Glossary of Terms:

AUSLAN or Australian Sign Language

This is the language that uses visual gestures and space using hands, body, face and head with its own principles of grammar. AUSLAN interpreters translate English into AUSLAN for deaf people and AUSLAN into English for hearing people.

Captioning

This is a software program which enables text to appear at the bottom of the screen to assist deaf or hearing impaired people.

Companion Cards

The Companion Card is a tool to assist organisations that charge an admission or participation fee to comply with existing anti-discrimination legislation.
It is issued to people with a significant, permanent disability, who can demonstrate that they are unable to access most community activities and venues without attendant care support.
The card contains a photograph of the cardholder and can be presented when booking or purchasing a ticket at events and venues, provided the cardholder requires attendant care support in order to participate at that particular activity. Participating organisations will issue the cardholder with a second ticket for their companion at no charge.

Hearing augmentation system (hearing loops)

Hearing loops assist people who use hearing aids to hear more clearly by cutting out background noise. A loop system is set up with a microphone and a transmitter to send signals via a loop system. These signals are picked up by hearing aids which have been switched to a ‘T’ setting.

Telephone Typewriter (TTY)

This machine has a keyboard and a screen which is either built into a telephone or connected to one. A person who is deaf or who has a speech impediment can use the machine to communicate with another person who also has a TTY by typing the message and reading the reply. TTY users can call people who don’t have a TTY by using the National Relay Service (NRS). This free service allows a person who is deaf to send or receive messages from ordinary ‘voice’ telephones.

Introduction

Mount Alexander Shire Council is committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors are able to fully participate in community life based on the principles of universal access and social inclusion.

People with a disability make up about 20% of our population. Across Mount Alexander Shire this equates to 3,500 people with some form of disability. This number can increase to 4,000 at any one time if you consider temporary injury or illness.

We also have large numbers of tourists who come to this region annually and one fifth of them will also have a disability of one form or another.

This guide is designed to assist event managers and committees plan and run successful accessible events. It should be used in conjunction with current laws, regulations and codes of practice.

What is an accessible event?

An accessible event is one which is welcoming and inclusive for all people no matter what their level of ability. It is an event which is run equitably and which is accessible for all community members. An accessible event benefits not only people with a disability but their families, friends, carers and the broader community. It also benefits older people, families with prams, performers and staff carrying equipment.

Having good access will make your event safer, more efficient and will attract a diverse range of people.

What does the law say?

The Disability Discrimination Act (1992) is a commonwealth law which protects the rights of people with a disability and makes it illegal to treat people with a disability unfairly. It covers employment, access to goods, services and facilities, education, access to premises and transport.

The Victorian Equal Opportunities Act (2010) is a state law which also makes it illegal to discriminate against people with a disability.

Both of these laws mean that service providers, such as event organisers, have a legal responsibility to prevent discrimination and remove any barriers to participation.

Early Planning

If you think about access in the early stages of your planning, your event will run more efficiently and be cost effective. Invite people with a disability to assist in the planning of your event.

Thinking strategically about your event means that you may not have to incur huge costs. Working with other people and organisations, sharing information, knowledge and resources can all help to minimise the cost of planning and running an accessible event.

Be aware of your legal requirements and ask Council for assistance if you are unsure of what you need to provide.

Venue Checklist

  • Close to public transport
  • Designated accessible car parking
  • Entrances are well signed and well lit
  • Drop off and pick up points outside the venue
  • Wide, clear, well lit pathways to entry
  • Wide, signposted automatic or non-heavy doors
  • Permanent or portable accessible ramp with handrail to entry
  • Working accessible toilet located with other male and female toilets with handrail and basin (not used as a storeroom)
  • Accessible counters, stages and raised platforms
  • Permanent or portable hearing augmentation system (hearing loop)
  • Facilities for assistance animals

Information Sharing

  • Use plain English on printed material and ensure it is available in large print
  • Information is available in audio form
  • Contact details are available for people with a disability to seek more information
  • Any hazards have been clearly identified beforehand e.g. strobe lighting
  • Access symbols have been used to indicate service and level of access
  • Emergency exits are accessible
  • Mobility map indicates accessible areas and facilities
  • Signage has good colour contrast and uses minimum 22 font
  • Any audio visual material is captioned and can be viewed from a wheelchair

Getting around

  • Ensure Companion Cards are accepted
  • Have clear lines of travel (e.g. footpaths) to all facilities like car parks, toilets, picnic areas and playgrounds
  • Have tactile indicators and colour contrasts on changes to floor levels
  • Have slip resistant floors and doors that are easy to open and close
  • Have trained staff who can assist people with a disability to communicate and understand information
  • Furniture and fittings are free of hazards e.g. sharp corners

Comfort facilities

  • Accessible toilets should have a wash basin, grab rail and a lock, and not be used for storage
  • Have a rest and recharge area with shade, free water, a power point for recharging wheelchair and scooter batteries, and room for prams and wheelchairs.
  • Ensure that plenty of rest seating with armrests is available throughout the venue
  • Provide facilities for assistance animals e.g. water and shade

Communication

  • Have an information area which is accessible and staffed by people who have had disability awareness training
  • Provide TTY or NRS phone numbers for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
  • Provide AUSLAN interpreters
  • Provide flashing lights to alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing in case of an emergency

Mount Alexander Shire Council has portable ramps and hearing loops available for hire or loan to assist making your event more accessible. Please contact the facilities manager on 5471 1700 for more information.