Leisurelink Aquatic and Recreation Centre is a more
inclusive and accessible place for people seeking a quieter environment for
swimming following the implementation of a sensory quiet time in the aquatics
area each Sunday afternoon.
Seeking to assist members and patrons with sensory
needs to feel more comfortable, the City has worked with Latrobe Community
Health Service (LCHS) – a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Partner
in the Community – to deliver the space between 4:30pm and 5:45pm.
Features of the sensory quiet time include:
- no music played across the
centre during this time
- public
address announcements avoided
- hand dryers
switched off
- phones
turned down
- soothing
music to start and end the session
- lights
dimmed where possible and
- blinds utilised to reduce
glare.
In addition, participants are encouraged to use
membership cards for scanning, to avoid queueing.
Physical signage is present to alert the public as
part of an educational promotion, along with the use of social media, website,
and brochures to keep patrons informed.
Five accessible changerooms are available, two of
which have adjustable tables, hoists and slings.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
I welcome the addition of the sensory quiet space, it's a positive
step forward in making Greater Geelong a more inclusive place to live.
We know that all of the busyness and
noise of a vibrant aquatic and recreation centre can be quite overwhelming for
some people.
The City is delighted to offer a time
and space to ensure the centre is suitable to visitors with additional sensory
needs in what can be an active environment.
Councillor Sarah Hathway - chair of the Inclusion
and Care portfolio
I'm excited that steps had been made to make
Leisurelink even more accessible.
We’re fortunate to have facilities like
Leisurelink for residents to play, stay healthy and have the chance to learn
some important swimming skills.
It’s crucial that as a community we
remove any barriers to people remaining energetic and engaged.
Tanika Hammond - NDIS Community Capacity Building
Coordinator
LCHS is delighted with this initiative.
Accessible communities create inclusive societies,
but it’s up to all of us to be part of that change; moreover, given the amount
of water in our region, it’s vital that everyone has the opportunity to
enjoy aquatic activities and learn to swim.
It’s been a pleasure working side-by-side with the
City to make this shared space even more accessible for people with unique
sensory needs.
LCHS is on hand
to help even more businesses, organisations and community members implement
changes that can make a world of difference to employees and customers with
disability.