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Making Business Accessible For All

Grants are now available to assist Bass Coast businesses and community organisations to be more inclusive and accessible for people with a disability.

By Bass Coast - 12th November 2013 - Back to News

The grants are funded through the Office for Disability and Council’s RuralAccess Program to improve access and inclusion for people with a disability.

Council’s Acting Community and Economic Development Director, Antoinette Mitchell, said 10 local businesses and community organisations were successful in receiving funding after a similar grant program was offered in 2012/13.

"Council has made a strong commitment to increasing access for people with disability, through our Disability Action Plan," Ms Mitchell said.

"Funding programs such as this are very much in line with the aims of our Plan and we encourage Bass Coast businesses and organisations to take advantage of the grants program."

Local businesses and community organisations can apply for funding of up to $500 to help increase the number of people with a disability accessing their business as customers, visitors, members or employees.

To be eligible for a grant, a business or organisation must be located in Bass Coast, develop a simple plan of intended actions to improve access and inclusion for people with a disability, and work in partnership with Bass Coast’s RuralAccess Officer.

"Examples of proposals could include making some alterations to your premises to provide improved access for all or providing information to your customers in different formats, for example large print menus", Ms Mitchell said.

"Council’s RuralAccess Officer, Kathryn Pryor, can help you every step of the way with your application."

Examples of successful applications last year (2012/13) included the following:

• Installation of handrails, ramps and signage.
• Disability Awareness training for club volunteers and members.
• Redressing existing gravel entry to improve access.
• Purchasing a wheelchair for participant use.
• Purchasing portable ramps.
• Modifications to an existing ramp.
• Widening a doorway and creating a level threshold to existing ground floor accommodation/room.
• Undertaking an access appraisal of a club’s facilities.
• Completing access improvements to club rooms and accessible toilet.

Grant applications close on Friday, 13 December 2013.

If your business or community organisation is interested in improving access and inclusion of people with a disability, contact Ms Pryor on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or email ruralaccess@basscoast.vic.gov.au to discuss your ideas and for assistance with the application process.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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