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Old Gippstown – ‘Doing It Right’

Old Gippstown Moe is one of 25 major Victorian tourist attractions opening their doors free to people who use wheelchairs and their companions to recognise Accessibility Weekend on 20 and 21 November.

By Latrobe City - 18th November 2010 - Back to News

The initiative aims to showcase venues that are ‘Doing it Right’ by providing access to people who use wheelchairs

Accessibility Weekend is part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week which will take place from 15 to 21 November 2010. Co-ordinated by Independence Australia, and sponsored by the Transport Accident Commission, the week has been designated to raise awareness and promote the prevention of spinal cord injury.

Latrobe City rural access project officer, Bill Lawler, said that there are around 360 new cases of spinal cord injury reported each year, almost one every day.

"While working to prevent spinal cord injury is of the highest priority, it is also important that people who have experienced spinal cord injury can continue to live active, fulfilling lives. Ensuring Victorian tourist attractions are accessible to people who use wheelchairs is about equality and social inclusion.

"Australia has an ageing population, which means there will be an increase in people with age-related disabilities looking for activities and venues they can easily access. Hopefully this will lead to a great number of tourism destinations becoming more accessible to the whole population," Mr Lawler said.

Old Gippstown manager, Michael Fozard, explained that him and his team had worked hard over a number of years to ensure as many exhibits as possible were accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

"We understand the importance of being accessible to the broader community. We went to extras lengths to ensure this, as ramps have been installed at many of our buildings and we have modern wheelchair accessible toilet facilities in our main building," Mr Fozard added.

Old Gippstown will be open from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday 20 and 21 November which will also incorporate the Woodies Interclub Day and Scroll Saw weekend.

For further details about this event and the Accessibility Weekend, please contact Michael Fozard on 5127 3082.

Media Enquiries:

Media Relations Team

Telephone: 5128 5346 or 5128 5458

Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations

Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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