Metro Access

MetroAccess is a Community Building Program funded by the Department of Human Services in partnership with Yarra Ranges Council and other local governments. The Disability Services Community Building Program works to build more inclusive communities. These initiatives represent an approach for Disability Services where the community is the primary focus.

Lack of access to the community for people with a disability can almost be like being shackled. MetroAccess workers aim to break down those shackles by develop partnerships within the council and the community to improve access for people with a disability. Areas that MetroAccess can influence include:

• Education and training
• Transport
• Tourism
• Health
• Accommodation and housing
• Physical access planning
• Communication and information
• Sport, recreation and the arts.

Access is not limited to these areas. If you are a person with a disability, a carer, a family member of a person with a disability or even just a friend of a person with a disability get in touch and let us know what you think the issues are.

The objectives of MetroAccess include:

• To encourage people with disabilities to get involved in what is happening in their local community
• To help local communities understand how they can include people with disabilities in everyday community life
• To have an influence in local communities where changes and planning are taking place to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are taken into account and to support people with disabilities to voice their opinions about local issues.
• To encourage local disability providers to work together and to develop programs that are relevant to and informed by local people with disabilities.
• To provide better information to people with disabilities about the opportunities available to them for work and play.

The MetroAccess Officer for the Yarra Ranges Council, Gary Kerridge, wants to ensure that people with a disability and their associates accross the Shire influence the direction that access in the community should take. People with a disability and their associates are the ones that know what the real issues are. If you are a person with a disability, a carer, a family member of a person with a disability or even just a friend of a person with a disability contact us. The MetroAccess Officer, Gary Kerridge, wants to know what you think can improve in the Shire when it comes to disability access.

If you would like more information or simply have something to say about disability access in the Shire Email Gary at  g.kerridge@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or metroaccess@yarraranges.vic.gov.au 

As Gary is deaf email is always best. However if you need to telephone a message will be passed on to Gary to contact you. Call on 1300 368 333 or 9294 6405.