Accessibly

19/10/2020

Thank you to the venues in Victoria who continue to make access a priority

I wrote this on my Instagram, thought I would share here too.

Today’s announcement of Covid restrictions easing in Victoria has made me a little more hopeful. Can’t wait to see friends and visit shops and eat out. Well done Victorians on making this happen.

But I am dreading outdoor dining (and outdoor events in general). My concerns aren’t just for me, but this post is how it applies to me, because I don’t speak on behalf of all disabled people.

Melbourne weather is temperamental. Summers are hot, but it can also be freezing in January.

Outdoor dining is not accessible for me because of the weather, and being unable to regulate my temperature, and needing to stay out of the heat in the summer.

Additionally, if dining is on footpaths, it will decrease space for wheelchair and scooter users and prams to travel.

I understand we need to have outdoor dining to reduce the risk of Covid, and to ensure restaurants can reopen.

But not everyone will be able to participate and enjoy it. I fear for many of us, we will continue to be isolated because we won’t be able to access the Covid normal.

I need to read more about the Victorian roadmap out of lockdown. But with the information delivered today, I’m worried.

Covid aside, it’s really hard to request accessibility at events, restaurants etc. (It’s been hard to ask for a seat while waiting for takeaway as current restrictions stand (pun intended.)

I dread having to call a restaurant & potentially argue my need for an indoor seat because I cannot dine outside.

Things that could help:

- A welcoming statement from restaurants to say they will try to meet access needs where they can.

- Enough indoor dining options.

- Not having to disclose disability when requesting access.

- Shade, heating and cooling outdoors.

- Enough room on footpaths for people mobility aids, prams etc to move past outdoor dining spaces.

- Blankets (cleaned after each use).

I have heard similar concerns from other disabled people in Melbourne and also overseas. Maybe you can leave a comment about how you might be impacted by easing of restrictions, and what can be done to alleviate your worries.

I hope Daniel Andrews, Martin Foley, Brett Sutton and all restaurants and cafes etc have an accessibility plan alongside their Covid safe plan, so that everyone can enjoy the easing of restrictions. I am here to consult if needed.

Also, no devil’s advocates please - I’m pretty tired.

A blogged version of this is here http://carlyfindlay.com.au/2020/10/18/my-concerns-with-covid-safe-outdoor-dining-and-events/

Image: a selfie of a woman with a red face and short dark curly hair tied back, wearing a bright dress, semi smiling. Pic from yesterday.

17/10/2020

How can we show support if we're physically unable to be at protests? ❤✊🏽

23/09/2020

looks absolutely fierce in this photo and is an entire mood 🙌🏾 Even as the waves crash, remain steadfast in your position and let nothing stop you from reaching your desired destination. 📸 .e.photography

06/09/2020

MOJO News is an independent media organisation run by Monash University's journalism and media communication students.

29/08/2020

How to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing people while everyone is wearing masks in public

[ Image description: Ten images that are mostly text. Here's the text info written in the images. ]

FACE MASKS:

Communicating with deaf & hard of hearing people

With masks made mandatory in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from Wednesday 22nd July 2020 at 11:59pm, anxiety is high amongst deaf and hard of hearing people.

This is because we're anxious about our ability to communicate with other people whilst at shops, chemists, health related appointments, and out in the community.

When we communicate with people wearing face masks, our ability to lip-read is taken away. It doesn't matter if we're wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants, our ability to lip-read is still taken away because face masks cover your mouth. This leaves us feeling vulnerable, powerless, scared, alone, and frustrated. This will have an impact on our mental health.

So if you encounter a deaf or hard of hearing person, please meet halfway with them. Listen to them when they advise you how to communicate with them. Don't be aggressive with them - that will make them feel even more anxious and scared.

Be adaptable to meet their communication needs. Keep an open mind.

If they use their device to communicate with you, use your device to respond to their enquiry, questions, etc.

There are text to speech apps available such as Live Transcribe (Android), and quite a few others. If a deaf/hard of hearing person uses one of those apps so they can understand you, be prepared to speak clearly and articulately. These apps are close to accurate, although errors can occur.

For deaf and hard of hearing people who use Auslan (or other sign language used in your country), they will prefer to communicate using an app to type notes on their device. Your device will have a similar app, use that to communicate with them.

They may book an Auslan interpreter to communicate with you. The Auslan interpreter will be displayed on their device via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or other video calling platform. Talk to the deaf person like you would with any other person, and they will respond in Auslan which will then be interpreted into English.

Deaf Victoria has created graphic cards for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind people to use to let hearing people know of their communication needs. You can download them from Deaf Victoria's website: deafvictoria.org.au/coronavirus

25/08/2020

Building inclusive communities is the responsibility of everyone 👫👭👬

People who easily name racism and sexism do not seem to see the human rights issues that underscore ableism. So that silence is problematic, Ellen Fraser-Barbour writes.

22/08/2020

Not all wheelchair users are the same!

01/07/2020

It's been a tough six months for everyone, but an especially tough one for people with disability. It's important that we all look after ourselves, and keep in touch with friends. Reach out to your loved ones to let them know they've got your support! If you're having trouble, although it is hard, it's important to reach out for help too!

Thank you to Youth Affairs Council Victoria and the YDAS - Youth Disability Advocacy Service for putting together this resource on how to reach out

2020 has been a tough year. With a global pandemic and really challenging conversations about race, power and privilege, staying up-to-date and being online can sometimes be a bit overwhelming! Right now we have the time and abundance of online platforms to be more connected than ever to our friends...

24/05/2020

Thank you, Rebekah Valdez for helping people understand what it's like to live with chronic illness and disability

17/04/2020

YLab Global are trying to understand the barriers to accessing mental health care, and navigating choice within the mental health care system.

Passport To Me aims to allows young people to meaningfully engage with their mental health journey and the care that they receive. If this is something that you are interested in, there are two ways in which you can contribute to it.

Complete the survey - https://tinyurl.com/ACTYLAB

Participate a 20 - 30 minute phone interview - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOuXJj8BdUAbtD_vjG2zmbXvfMtZ9XrFAu0Am9Ox4FKmdbkA/viewform

Every young person who completes the phone call with one of the YLab Associates will get access to YLab Learning platform. YLab Learning provides immersive, practical online learning experiences for young people and those who work alongside them. The full course is valued at $49 and all young people who complete the phone interview will also be going into the running to win a $100 Visa Gift Card (which can be used online).

Turn data collection into an experience with Typeform. Create beautiful online forms, surveys, quizzes, and so much more. Try it for FREE.

01/03/2020

Love, power, and solidarity for International Wheelchair Day!