Funding for better disabled access
0 comment

Funding for better disabled access

Bendoc Community Centre is one of 27 Neighbourhood Houses to share in $450,000 of funding under the Victorian Government’s ‘Small Inclusion Grants Program’ (SIG) which helps  support people with disabilities so they can more easily participate in community activities.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said “the Bendoc Progress Association was successful in receiving $5,000 which will be used to improve disabled access to their Community Centre, leading to better education and employment outcomes for community members with a disability.”

“The Bendoc Progress Association has been actively committed to the sustainability of Bendoc for over 100 years. This includes providing various services that benefit the community such as adult education programs,” said Mr Bull.

Secretary and Co-ordinator of the Bendoc Progress Association, Barbara Philbrick, said “we recognise the fact that more and more people, especially seniors, have difficulties or disabilities and the grant was specifically requested to extend the current ramp so that people in wheel chairs or walkers could more easily access the centre.

“The Bendoc Progress Association has been working for a number of years to gain funding to improve its facilities and especially recognises the region’s ageing population.

“Along with a bus with wheelchair access, we have also installed computers with touch screens and ergonomically designed computer mouses to assist seniors and those with a disability to participate in social and educational activities,” said Ms Philbrick.

Mr Bull said, “there are more than 360 Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria providing social, educational and recreational activities and these centres should be easily accessible places that accommodate the varying needs of all members of the community.  

“The funds are part of the Coalition’s promise to improve facilities for people with a disability and will be used for a range of infrastructure and program improvements to increase participation in activities at local Neighbourhood Houses,” he said.