community access for the disabled

Services for the disabled and mobility impaired in Alice Springs.

Current access for the disabled news

Alice Springs Town Council Access Advisory Committee

The Alice Springs Town Council has established an Access Advisory Committee to inform and advise the Council on community access issues in Alice Springs.

The Committee meets bi-monthly and its membership is made up of representatives from Council, government and community organisations and individuals from the business and community sectors.

The Committee has developed an Access Procedure and Action Plan to accompany Council's access policy. This was adopted by the Council in November 1999 and was later revised in November 2002 and most recently in September 20007.

The plan examines legislated access requirements, the access needs of the Alice Springs population, and the goals and actions needed to improve access in the areas of physical, communication, information and attitudes. The plan is monitored annually to ensure that the goals are achieved.

Alice Springs CBD Mobility Access Map

The Mobility Access Map (pdf, 230kb) is a guide to facilities for people with limited mobility in Alice Springs that was developed by the Alice Springs Town Council's Access Advisory Committee. The guide shows public and disabled toilets, disabled parking, steep footpath crossfalls, and more. The map is updated bi-yearly, with the last update taking place in January 2007.

The Mobility Access Maps are available at the Alice Springs Town Council, tel (08) 8950 0500, or email a request for a map to be posted to you (remember to supply us with your postal address!).

Public Transport Accessibility

In 2001, three new buses that are wheel chair accessible were introduced to service Alice Springs. These buses are fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 accessibility regulations. This means that people in wheelchairs and people with limited mobility can now use the bus service with relative ease.

Disability Parking Permits

To obtain an Alice Springs Disabled Parking Permit you need to apply at the Council with satisfactory medical evidence. This usually means a letter from your doctor stating your disability and whether your disability is permanent or temporary.

The Council accepts Australian and International Disabled Parking Permits.

Below are the concessions available to permit holders:

• Parking without penalty in a parking bay marked with the International Disabled Access Symbol.
• Parking in time-restricted parking bays for double the time allowed on the parking sign.
• The permit is transferable from vehicle to vehicle provided the vehicle is being used by the concession holder.

To take advantage of these Concessions the following Regulations must be observed:

• The permit MUST be displayed at the lower left hand side of the front windscreen whenever the concession holder is using the vehicle.

Where Council finds that any person is misusing a concession or the concession no longer applies, Council reserves the right to cancel or suspend the concession.

Failure to renew the parking concession on expiry may result in parking infringement notices being issued. Click here to view or download an application form.

Alice Springs Disability Services and Organisations

Useful links

NT Government Department of Health and Community Services www.nt.gov.au/health/about

Working with Indigenous People with Disabilities This site provides information about a range of resources for carers and allied health professionals working with Indigenous peoples with disabilities living in remote areas of Australia. www.wired.org.au

Telstra Disability Inquiry Hotline 1800068424 (Voice) 1800808981 (TTY) disabilityenquiryhotline@team.telstra.com

Disability Coordination Officer Program The aim of this program is to increase the participation rate of people with a disability in post secondary education, training & employment. www.disabilitycentral.com.au

Human Rights Commission (1300)

access for the disabled organisations in the Alice Springs Community Directory