Disability access and inclusion

It is estimated that almost one in five residents in the Moreton Bay Region has a disability.

Council is working to ensure that the region’s opportunities and vibrant lifestyle are accessible to everybody, regardless of their level of ability. If council’s facilities, services and information are accessible to people with disabilities, they will be accessible to everybody. 

The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2018-2022 is council's 5 year plan to progressively improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of facilities, information and services. 

Accessible beaches

Since September 2019, Moreton Bay Regional Council has been conducting a trial of the Accessible beaches initiative at Woorim Beach in partnership with Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC).

During the trial, up to 50 metres of accessible beach matting (MobiMat) has been permanently installed along beach access point 12. The beach matting enables people with a diverse range of mobility levels and devices to travel over the soft sand to areas resting above the highest astronomical tide. Two beach wheelchairs, available for free hire through Bribie Island SLSC on weekends and public holidays, enable users to travel along the sand and into the water.

Between April and June 2020, Council will undertake an evaluation of the Accessible beaches trial at Woorim Beach. This evaluation seeks to understand:

  1. Whether the Accessible beaches initiative has improved accessibility at Woorim Beach
  2. How the Accessible beaches initiative could be further improved upon at this and other locations throughout the region, and
  3. Community support for the continuation of the Accessible beaches initiative at Woorim Beach beyond the end of the trial period.

A survey was conducted asking anyone who has accessed Woorim Beach via the beach matting or has booked and used one of the beach wheelchairs to have their say on the trial. Feedback received will help to shape the future of the Accessible Beaches initiative at Woorim Beach and across the Moreton Bay Region.

Inclusive playgrounds

Council is incorporating inclusive play facilities and associated infrastructure at playgrounds throughout the region. These facilities and equipment enable children with disabilities to enjoy the same opportunities for play and interaction as their peers. Established and planned inclusive playgrounds throughout the region are: 

Suburb Park Accessibility features
Arana Hills Leslie Patrick Park

Construction is complete on The Hills District All Abilities Playground, that aims to satisfy the needs of children of all physical and intellectual abilities and includes:

  • a passive interactive garden space aimed at providing a peaceful experience to adults with dementia and Alzheimer's and children with sensory impairments
  • accessible picnic, barbecue and toilet facilities
  • fully fence playground
  • wheelchair accessible carousels, musical instruments and sand play
  • 5 way swing with capsule seats.
Burpengary CREEC

Stage 1 of an all abilities playground has been completed and stage 2 is currently under construction.

Accessible play elements currently available include:

  • double flying fox
  • merry-go-round
  • pirate ship
Clontarf Pelican Park Liberty swing

Accessible day trips and travel

The Moreton Bay Region is known for its amazing natural attractions and experiences such as parks, waterways, wildlife centres, lookouts, beaches, museums and festivals. Spaces and places that everyone can enjoy.

To make your travel as seamless as possible, explore Moreton Bay Region For All, which provides useful verified information to help you plan your inclusive visit to our beautiful region. It has tips on the best spots to park, who to speak with, location of toilets, seating, pathways and sensory considerations. This includes assistance for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, people who are blind or have low vision, people with mobility impairments, autism and anyone who requires to be accompanied by a trained and certified assistance or companion animal.

 

Disability Action Week

Disability action week is celebrated every September to raise awareness of disability and acknowledge the contribution people with disabilities make to our local community. Search What's On for an event near you.

Grants are available to assist individuals and organisations to stage events or activities during Disability Action Week. 

Assisted waste collection service

Residents who are physically unable to put their bins out each week can apply for an Assisted waste collection service.

Council’s waste contractor will retrieve, service and return the bins from within the property at no additional charge to the resident. To apply for this service:

  • submit a request in writing to Council via: mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or PO Box 159, Caboolture QLD 4510
  • provide supporting documentation, i.e. a doctor, hospital or specialist’s medical letter or certificate.

To cancel this service, contact Council.

Note: Residents of multi-residential complexes may not be eligible for this service. 

Libraries

Council’s libraries offer several programs and services which enable people with disabilities to access and be included in the programs and services offered by their local library.

Service/Program Description 
Backstage pass This pass offers families a range of low-sensory activities and exclusive "behind the scenes" after hours access to participating local libraries.
Home library service People with disabilities may be eligible to have books and other library resources delivered and collected from their home by a volunteer every month.
Mobile library service Council’s Mobile Library has a fortnightly timetable of stops around the region. It is accessible via a platform lift.
Signed storytime Signed storytime is held on a monthly basis at selected libraries throughout the region. An AUSLAN interpreter translates the stories being read aloud for the benefit of deaf or hearing impaired children and parents.
Plextalk DAISY players Plextalk devices can read aloud books on CD or USB, read text and Word files, and can store digital audiobooks on an SD card, supporting people with low vision and dyslexia to access books, magazines and library resources. Plextalk devices are based at Caboolture, North Lakes and Redcliffe libraries and can be reserved for use from any branch. Contact your local library for access and one on one training.

Recharge Points™

 Designated Recharge Points™ have been installed within each library to enable users of mobility devices to safely recharge their device, free of charge, during library opening hours. See below for more information on the Recharge Scheme trial.
Dyslexia friendly books Library collections include a large selection of books specially formatted for people with dyslexia. The books are printed with a font designed to alleviate some of the difficulties typically reported by readers with dyslexia.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme became available to residents in the Moreton Bay Region from 1 January 2019. Carers Queensland has partnered with NDIS as the Local area coordination partner for our region. Visit NDIS Events for details of upcoming information sessions, forums and workshops being delivered in the Moreton Bay Region.

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) are delivering the ‘Getting on the NDIS Grid’ project in the Moreton Bay Region. This project is working with people under 65 who may experience additional challenges engaging with the NDIS. 

Recharge Scheme trial

Recharge pointCouncil has partnered with Recharge Scheme Australia to trial the introduction of the RECHARGE Scheme™ across its library network between 2019 and 2020.

Designated Recharge Points™ have been installed within each library to enable users of electric mobility devices to safely recharge their device, free of charge, during library opening hours. Recharge points can be identified by the Recharge Point™ sticker, or by asking a library staff member.

Free recharge points are available at the following libraries: 

For further information, or to provide feedback to council, please contact mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3205 0555.

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