By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Sanctuary is now fully accessible to all visitors with the opening of the latest Victorian Changing Places facility on Tuesday 30 July.
The Changing Places project by the Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for providing larger than standard accessible toilets that have extra features such as a tracking hoist and more space to meet the needs of people with a disability.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green opened the new change-room and toilet facility.
“The Changing Places facility at the wonderful Healesville Sanctuary is another great example of the Labor Government creating inclusive communities, especially in regional Victoria.
“Having a disability shouldn’t preclude anyone from participating in their community and enjoying exciting attractions like the Healesville Sanctuary.”
According to the state government, $2.6 million will be provided to fund a network of 26 Changing Places across Victoria with Zoos Victoria receiving $100,000 for the Healesville Sanctuary facility.
Victoria was the first Australian state to launch Changing Places and continues to lead the way nationally in making public spaces more accessible.
There are now over 100 Changing Places across Australia, including five locations in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
These locations include Lillydale Lake, Monbulk Aquatic Centre, the Yarra Centre, Yarra Glen and now Healesville Sanctuary.
Changing Places will enable the 346,400 Victorians with high support needs to visit popular tourist locations, parks and community facilities across the state.
Changing Places is a key priority of the Absolutely Everyone State Disability Plan for 2017–2020, which will see the state government support a range of actions in partnership with the community to achieve greater inclusion.
The facilities are different to standard accessible toilets as they have extra features and more space to meet the needs of people with severe and profound disabilities.
Changing Places facilities provide a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling hoist to help lift the person out of their wheelchair and onto a change table or toilet, as well as a spacious, safe and clean environment for a carer and person with a disability.
To find out more about Changing Places and to find a facility near you, visit: https://changingplaces.org.au/
