3/12/01
An initiative by the Western Australian Electoral Commission to improve voting access for people with disabilities at this year's State Election has taken out a prestigious disability access award.
The Electoral Commission was awarded the 2001 Dr Louisa Alessandri Award for Excellence in Action on Access for responding to the needs of customers with disabilities.
The award was one of nine presented at the Disability Services Commission's annual Action on Access awards today, the International Day of People with a Disability. The awards are run in conjunction with the advocacy organisation, People With Disabilities.
The 'Casting a Vote for Active Participation - Drive-in Voting at the 2001 State General Election' was an Australian first and allowed people with limited mobility and their carers or other family members to vote on Election Day itself, rather than posting their votes in by mail.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale said the awards acknowledged access improvements and encouraged the community to do more to include people with disabilities.
"Access is a right, not a privilege, so it is heartening to see the many steps that have been taken by local government, State Government, the private sector, community organisations and individuals towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for people with disabilities," Ms McHale said.
"In this day and age, it is unacceptable that a person who uses a wheelchair is unable to enter a building because of a restrictive design, or a person who is blind is unable to access the information they need in alternative formats.
"Access improvement is an area where the whole community can make a real difference towards greater community participation for people with disabilities.
"The access rights of people with disabilities were enshrined in legislation through the Disability Services Act of 1993, and I am pleased to say that the current review of the Act will examine ways of strengthening the legislation regarding access."
The winners of the 2001 awards are:
ACTION ON ACCESS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Large Authority:
- the City of Subiaco won the award for a $400,000 improved pedestrian amenity and traffic calming initiative, improving access to Rokeby Road and Hay Street; and
- certificates of commendations went to the Town of Cambridge for work on its Bold Park Aquatic Centre and the City of Fremantle for an audit of council facilities to ensure they were accessible.
Small Authority:- the Shire of Exmouth won the award for its thorough access improvement program, including dual-use paths with numerous kerb and median strip breaks; lift, ramps and accessible facilities at the town pool and shopping centre; and
- the Shire of Collie received a certificate of commendation for its Federation Park Project, which addressed the needs of people with disabilities.
ACTION IN ACCESS IN STATE GOVERNMENT Large Government Agency- Ballajura Community College won the award for its Learning Difficulties Team, which was created to ensure students with disabilities were included in all facets of school life; and
- the Department of Housing and Works received a certificate of commendation for its Cluster Housing Development for people with cerebral palsy.
Small Government Agency- the Western Australian Electoral Commission won the award for its initiative 'Casting a Vote for Active Participation - Drive-in Voting at the 2001 State General Election' - an Australian first which allowed people with disabilities to vote on Election Day itself, rather than having to complete a postal vote; and
- the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority received a certificate of commendation for the accessibility of the Subi Centro public facilities, including shopping areas and parks.
ACTION ON ACCESS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR Large Business- Channel 7 Perth won the award for its closed captioning policy that allows people who are deaf or hearing impaired to enjoy television programs.
Small Business- Hoyts Cinema City won the award for its open captioning of films for people who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Hoyts Cinema City is the only cinema screening captioned films in Western Australia; and
- Swan Transit Welshpool Depot received a certificate of commendation for developing a system which aims to ensure that the needs of all customers are met, and Classique Jewellers received a certificate of commendation for refurbishing their new Busselton store to make it accessible to customers with disabilities.
DISABILITY ACTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL - This award was presented by the advocacy organisation People With Disabilities to Ms Caroline Cusack, for her many years of advocacy to improve access for people with disabilities to community life; and
- Mr Steven Adams and Ms Jenny Au Yeong received certificates of commendation in this category.
ACTION ON ACCESS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO EVERYDAY LIFE- This award was presented to the Albany-based Lower Great Southern Community Living Association for its 'My Life, My Community' program, which provides people with disabilities with the chance to take part in a range of activities, classes, workshops and self-development programs that would not have been available to them otherwise;
- Certificates of commendation were awarded to South Lake Primary School for its community approach to issues affecting people with disabilities and the Department of Housing and Works' Computer Project that provides computers to people with disabilities in the Balga area.
All category winners were eligible for the Dr Louisa Alessandri Award, named in honour of the late Dr Alessandri, a strong advocate for access, who was chair of the Western Australian Advisory Council for Disability Services and a board member of the Disability Services Commission.
Minister's office - 9213 6900
