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Disability Advisory Council Meets At Latrobe CityLatrobe City hosted a meeting of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC) last week where issues facing people with a disability in regional areas were discussed. By Latrobe City - 23rd November 2007 - Back to News The advisory council comprises representatives from across the state with its primary role being to advise the state government minister on furthering an inclusive community.
Latrobe City disability service officer, Karleen Plunkett, said that it is important for members of the advisory council to have an understanding of how living outside of metropolitan Melbourne has different types of barriers for people with disabilities.
"Latrobe City mayor Cr Tony Zimora welcomed Rhonda Galbally, VDAC chairperson, along with staff from the Office of Disabilities and VDAC members to the Latrobe Valley. The meeting was also attended by Latrobe City disability reference committee members and allowed all those attending to discuss issues that affect people with a disability living and working in Gippsland, or even visiting," Ms Plunkett said.
"Some of the issues that we face, especially in the regional areas, are accessible public transport, access to public buildings and housing, and access to training and employment," Ms Plunkett said.
"Some of these issues are already being tackled. In the last few years there have been many improvements to help people with disabilities. For example, we now have 20 low-floor accessible buses in operation throughout Latrobe City, which makes public transport more accessible for people with disabilities," Ms Plunkett said.
"Latrobe City Council has also promoted the benefits of accessible housing design through the ‘our future our place project’.
"For younger people in our community, there are now two ‘access for all abilities playgrounds’, one in Traralgon and one in Moe.
"Other issues are likely to emerge and we are now planning for these. Due to an increasingly aging population in the Latrobe Valley we will face an increase in the number of people with disabilities. Increasing needs to meet higher demands for accessible public places and transport will need to be met.
"Advisory council members left the meeting agreeing that they were much better informed thanks to their visit," Ms Plunkett concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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