Ahead of International Day of Persons with Disability on Sunday 3 December, Mornington Peninsula Shire launched its second-ever Access Key at a community morning tea on Friday 1 December 2023.
Members of our Disability Advisory Committee, community members, Shire staff and Councillor Lisa Dixon were on hand to witness Judy O’Connor and Maxine Parker, Co-Founders of Access Ability Australia, present the Rosebud Library Access Key to the community.
The decision to launch our latest Access Key in time for International Day of Persons with Disability was made to increase community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people living with a disability. Access Keys for Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG) were launched earlier this year.
Access Keys are visual and text-based accessibility guides that can be downloaded onto a mobile device or printed out. They provide useful information about accessing a particular experience, event or venue, which means they are a great tool for encouraging independence and participation.
Each guide is comprehensively researched and created by Access Ability Australia using universal design principles.
Access Keys contain information that helps visitors to:
• Understand what to expect from a venue, event or program ahead of time
• Determine the suitability of a venue, event or program
• Interpret circumstances or conditions while attending the venue, event or program.
For instance, if a room is likely to have to loud sounds (e.g., from announcements or people) or if there is a change in ground surface or smells, Access Key users will know what to expect in advance and can decide whether to participate.
Users also receive information on how to get to a particular venue or event, parking, access in and around a venue, reception/ticketing locations and services, how to identify staff, toilets, food and drink services, programming, experiences, accessible offerings and much more.
To download or print your free Access Keys for Rosebud Library and MPRG, visit Access Ability Australia’s website: accessabilityaustralia.com/access-keys
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Simon Brooks:
“Rosebud Library is the second Shire venue to receive an Access Key. We plan to launch more in 2024 as part of our continued effort to make our facilities more accessible and inclusive.
“These guides are important community resources.
“Because of the amount of upfront information they reveal about a program or venue, Access Keys help to remove barriers to visiting places and increase participation and social inclusion.”
Quote attributable to Disability Advisory Committee representative, Councillor Lisa Dixon:
“Access Keys are PDF guides that contain information on how to access a particular venue or event, regardless of your abilities. They can be downloaded and accessed on any mobile device, or printed, enabling those of us who are living with disabilities to be more independent and comfortable in unfamiliar situations. They are a fabulous tool!”
