Parks Victoria has invited comments on the first stage of a plan to make the State’s parks and reserves more accessible.
In a statement, Parks Victoria said community ideas and feedback for the development of a new Disability Action Plan would help guide priorities and highlight the actions needed to create more inclusive environments.
“Parks Victoria is committed to enabling visitors living with a disability to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits from being in nature with their families and friends,” Parks Victoria said.
“Once final, the Plan will set priorities and actions for the next four years and continue the work already being done to provide parks for everyone, including improving and creating more accessible environments for visitors with a disability,” it said.
Parks Victoria said its Plan would encompass park access and experiences as well as volunteering and employment opportunities with the Agency.
“In the past few years, Parks Victoria has launched or expanded a range of initiatives for disabled people, including online resources for children with autism, the TrailRider program to enable better access for wheelchair users and a developing partnership with Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria to deliver the ‘walk in the park program’ for blind or vision impaired people,” the Agency said.
It said people could contribute to the Plan’s development through a series of online focus groups on 2, 6 and 7 October or via a survey until 20 October.
Parks Victoria said supports were available for all participants throughout the consultation process, including Auslan interpreters and live closed captioning.
It said the Plan would align with the priorities of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s new State Disability Plan, which was currently in development.
Further information on Parks Victoria’s Disability Action Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
