Travel Without Limits #4 by travelwithoutlimits

without limits

Sam Bloom

MAKING TRAX IN NEW ZEALAND DISCOVER LAKE MACQUARIE HAPPY BEACH DAYS

Image: Cameron Bloom & @samjbloom

Riding a wave of success

VOL 4 SEPTEMBER 2020 RRP AU$9.95

+ Covid-safe + Noosa

+ Kilimanjaro

+ Virtual Tours

READERS PHOTOS

01 - The team at Sargood always love taking guests out onto the sand and into the surf

All images: Sargood on Collaroy

02 - Jayne enjoying Sargood on Collaroy’s XCR off-road cycle on the stunning Great Mackeral Beach lookout track. 03 - Stephen out exploring during one-on-one rec with Sargood’s Extreme X8 04 - Peter enjoying one of Sargood’s local lookouts at the beautiful Long Reef Headland

Hello!

We’re particularly thrilled to bring this issue of Travel Without Limits to you given the current state of the world and the effects of COVID-19 on business and the travel industry. There was never a thought that this issue shouldn’t go ahead. We believe we all need to dream and plan for when the world rebounds so we’re ready to embrace it. Many of the people sharing their stories in this issue have experienced life-changing accidents and share how in time they’ve adjusted to their disability, found new opportunities and are now thriving. When travel borders open, we know things will be different, but we too will adjust and learn to live with the new normal. And perhaps, a positive to come out of this pandemic will be that we will never take the little pleasures travel offers for granted. As with each issue, we love to bring you a variety of stories from contributors with lived experience. Whether you’re into action and adventure or prefer the slower pace of beach days we’ve got it covered in this bumper edition. We’d love you to continue to spread the word about Travel Without Limits and don’t forget to check our website (travelwithoutlimits.com.au) where we share news and stories in between our print issues. Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss anything. We hope by the time we bring you our March issue the world will have stabilised somewhat and we’re all travelling again. If you have any feedback or a story to share please get in touch. Happy travels! Julie julie@travelwithoutlimits.com.au

Founders Julie Jones & Janeece Keller Executive Editor Julie Jones Sub-editor Bev Malzard

Art director Jon Wolfgang Miller Contributors Sophie Cullen Daniel Carroll Simon Darcy Yasmine Gray

Mel Harrison Julie Jones Marlena Katane Janeece Keller Marcela Maranon Amy Marks Emily Prior

Jenny Prior Tanya Saava Seana Smith Kirsty Russell

Published by Travel Without Limits Pty Ltd - ABN 90 633 273 560 | 431 Warringah Rd, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Copyright © Travel Without Limits Pty Ltd 2020 ISSN 2652-0656. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Every endeavour has been made to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is correct at time of going to print. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Travel Without Limits Pty Ltd cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will be returned.

This publication is supported by the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas Jninstitute.org

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CONTENTS Access All Areas

9 Accessible Aussie national parks 10 Five podcasts about disability and travel 13 Water activities for summer 19 Bookshelf faves Five kids books that come with important lessons

Cover Story 20 Riding a wave of success Sophie Cullen spoke to world championship kayaker and surfer Sam Bloom about her journey, travel and what it’s like to have your story told in print and on the big screen.

Travel

34 The flight you have when you’re grounded 40 Getting it right Professor Simon Darcy on the obstacles in mainstream tourism for travellers with a disability 50 Discover Lake Macquarie Escape to Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake for adventure or relaxation 58 Rollin’ in Noosa 10 accessible things to do and see 66 Happy beach days Why beach holidays are a great fit those with autism spectrum disorder

80 Where the magic happens The inside scoop from a former Walt Disney World cast member 86 Take it to the top Marcela Maranon on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 92 Making Trax All inclusive but not exclusive New Zealand

Tips & tricks 102 Kids’ picks 104 Virtual travel experiences 106 Tips for COVID-safe travel 109 Directory

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NEWS: IN THE KNOW

LIVEWIRE - A FREE ONLINE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM - HAS “BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY” TO 17-YEAR-OLD MACKIE Run by Starlight Children’s Foundation, Livewire hosts in-hospital activities and an online community for seriously ill 12 to 20 year olds. Every month, there are more than 2000 log-ins from Livewire online members. “I became a rep on the site a year ago,” says Mackie. “Honestly, Livewire has brought me so much joy and distracted me from the drama of hospital life and surgery. I couldn’t be more happy to be a part of their community.” Starlight Children’s Foundation also runs several other programs aimed at kids and teens.

Over the years, it has granted more than 11,000 Starlight Wishes. It also runs Starlight Express Rooms in hospitals, coordinates visits from Captain Starlight, broadcasts Starlight TV to children in hospital wards and has just started sending out Starlight Surprise Packs. “Laughter is the best medicine and that’s definitely one of Starlight’s missions,” says Mackie. Learn more about the Livewire community on their website. Or discover details about Starlight’s programs starlight.org.au

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HEARTACHE & BIRDSONG A cheeky magpie melted many hearts when its story was told in awardwinning book Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird who Saved a Family. The tale of how Penguin helped surfer, nurse and mother of three Sam Bloom after her accident is now set to appear on the silver screen. The upcoming movie is called Penguin Bloom and stars Aussie A-Lister Naomi Watts as Sam and Andrew Lincoln (of Walking Dead fame) as Cameron, her photographer husband. Penguin Bloom has been nominated for Toronto International Film Festival, where it will have

its world premiere. The Blooms will also release a sequel to the story told in the bestseller and film, called Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong. It was co-written by Bradley Trevor Greive, who also collaborated with Sam and Cameron on Penguin Bloom. It will tell the story of Sam’s youth, love of surfing, wide travels and how a 2013 accident in Thailand left her paralysed and changed her life. The hardcover book will be released in early September 2020, featuring stunning photographs by Cameron Bloom. Read more about Sam’s story in our cover feature.

HAPPY WORLD KINDNESS DAY! Held on the 13th of November this year, the annual celebration is an important reminder to look after ourselves and each other. “World Kindness Day is about connection,” says Ralph Kelly, founder and CEO of Stay Kind. Founded in honour of his sons, Thomas and Stuart, Stay Kind’s mission is to encourage the “ripple effect” of spreading a culture of kindness and kinship. Both boys lost their lives in the month of July, which inspired the organisation’s Kind July campaign urging Australians to wake up each morning with courage and positivity. “The message is don’t be inactive,” says Ralph. “Kindness is simple. An act of kindness can make someone’s day. An act of kindness can actually save

someone’s life.” Stay Kind’s community walk in Newcastle, which was planned for World Kindness Day, has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19. Instead, Ralph urges people to go out for a walk and chat with a neighbour, pick up the phone to call a friend, text three people per day or say please and thank you. “In Australia, we have 25 million Australians. If each of us did one act of kindness every day, that’s 9 billion acts of kindness every year.” Formerly known as the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, Stay Kind’s other initiatives include a Pledge of Kindness, resources for schools and organisations and the Take Kare - Safe Spaces program protecting young people on night’s out in the city.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Still Mobile During Covid-19 Dr John Thearle has spent decades teaching and practising medicine. He's also a polio survivor from the 1940’s. As is true for many, late effects of Polio (LEOP) have made it difficult for him to get about. But John is turning to new technologies to help solve the problem, technologies he says have given him his life back: exploring and enjoying Brisbane, going to the cinema and cafes, and even considering interstate travel once the spectre of Covid-19 has faded. John and his wife Marylou have had their fair share of adventures. Four years after graduating, John got a post as a ship's surgeon and sailed to Europe. He met Marylou, a nurse from Brisbane, while working in his Paediatric speciality. They were both part of close-knit and vibrant communities of ex-pats and doctors in Bath, Bristol and Edinburgh. Fifty years and a lifetime of providing healthcare later, the couple are wellequipped to understand the scope and

implications of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Being part of a high-risk group has given them some pause for thought, but they have by no means stayed shut up inside. The duck ponds and university grounds of St Lucia, Brisbane are regular destinations, offering sunny and idyllic alternatives to the computer screens many of us have been stuck with. But until Christmas Eve of last year, outdoor expeditions weren't really a possibility for John. He was using a walking stick and a wheelie-walker to help him move, which only partially alleviated his problems. He could manage short trips from the car to a shopping centre, but not much more. Tipped off by a patient of Marylou, now practising as a Podiatrist, the couple visited a mobility scooter store in Chermside. They left bearing a curious little machine, a Luggie Scooter. Its small and manoeuvrable frame was perfect for John. He could make

it to nearby parks on his own steam or he could transport it in the boot of his Camry to go further afield. Air travel was now even a possibility. Covid poured cold water over the couple's plans to visit their daughter in Sydney, but they are confident that they'll make it there soon, and who knows where after that. Kavita Shetty, who sold the scooter to John and Marylou, says that their story is becoming increasingly common. 'More than anything else, people want to stay mobile. They hear about the Luggie and it changes their life', she said. ‘Fingers crossed the world opens back up soon, and we can all return to exploring and enjoying the outdoors, including John and Marylou.’

For more information on the Luggie brand of scooters go to scootersaus.com.au or phone 1300 622 633

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ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL PARKS

BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, NSW The Blue Mountains National Park is one of the most famous in New South Wales. Follow a short, wheelchairaccessible track from Echo Point Visitors Centre for stunning views of the Three Sisters, or the Fairfax Heritage track overlooking the Grose Valley. DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK, QLD THE MARRJA, DUBUJI AND KULKI boardwalks in Cape Tribulation in far north Queensland’s Daintree National Park are completely accessible. They’re wonderful ways to experience the world’s oldest rainforest, and keep your eyes peeled at Oliver Creek where you might spot crocs in the wild. ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK, NT To experience the best of the Red Centre, conquer the Uluru Base walk.

The 10-kilometre loop encircling Australia’s most famous rock is only wheelchair-accessible in dry weather. You can complete shorter sections if the whole circuit is too long. Nearby, in Watarrka National Park, try the sealed Kathleen Springs Track. WALPOLE-NORNALUP NATIONAL PARK, WA Susupended 40 metres above the ground in Walpole-Nornalup National Park (Western Australia) is the Valley of the Giants treetop walk amid the ancient karri forest. Or descend to the boardwalk below to explore the Ancient Empire Walk, where you’ll enter a grove of towering tingle trees, giant eucalypts found nowhere else on earth.

Blue Mountains walk from Echo Point to lookout

Uluru base walk

FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK, TAS For an unparalleled vista over Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay, set off on the Cape Tourville circuit in Freycinet National Park. It’s a wonderful track for spotting wildlife. Keep an eye out for sea birds, sea-eagles, whales, seals and dolphins.The moderate slope may mean some assistance is required.

PARKS VICTORIA, VIC While pets are not permitted in National Parks, assistance animals such as guide dogs are. Your dog needs to be kept on a short lead and you should carry necessary paperwork on you just in case. Parks Victoria runs a Walk in the Park program for blind or vision impaired visitors. Trained guides will assist the group through certain parks in Melbourne, Geelong and Bellarine regions. Parks Victoria also provide social scripts for some destinations, including Brimbank Park, Buchan Caves, Jells Park, Serendip Sanctuary and Wilsons Promontory. These scripts are designed to help visitors on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs prepare for their outdoor adventure.

Image: Parks Victoria

When the days get longer and the weather more mild, it is the perfect time to explore the lush rainforests, seaside cliff tops and wind-swept mountains of our accessible national parks. We recommend you give one of these a try.

Access All Areas LISTENABLE, WITH DYLAN ALCOTT AND ANGUS O’LOUGHLIN Radio host and paralympian Dylan Alcott and radio and TV personality Angus O’Loughlin happen to be best mates, which is evident with their easy rapport. Their podcast is relaxed and seeks to challenge perceptions about what it means to live with a disability. ListenABLE features well-known guests and is not afraid to talk about the tricky stuff. Learn more and listen to ListenABLE at podcastoneaustralia.com.au/podcasts/listenable

TOP 5 PODCASTS ABOUT DISABILITY AND TRAVEL

WHEELCHAIR TRAVEL, WITH JOHN MORRIS John Morris has been sharing travel stories and advice for wheelchair users on his blog Wheelchair Travel for years. Recently, he also launched an eponymous podcast. “My goal is to connect disabled travellers with the industry and also the reverse connect the industry with experiences of disabled travellers,” says John. Learn more at weelchairtravel.org

Prick up your ears and turn up the volume. We’ve compiled some of our favourite podcasts emerging from the disability community, covering travel, parenthood and more.

A DIFFERENT WAY OF TRAVELLING, WITH LOIS STRACHAN Lois teamed up with friend and founder of Accessible South Africa, Deirdre Gower, to deliver this travel-based podcast. Lois interviews guests with disabilities about their travel tips and highlights, and shares information about accessible service providers. “I love what I’m doing with the podcast because it is giving me such a great opportunity to talk to people about something that I’m passionate about,” says Lois. Learn more and listen to A Different Way of Travelling at podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-differentway-of-travelling TINY ISLAND, WITH KURT FEARNLEY Host Kurt Fearnley has claimed three Paralympic gold medals, won more than 30 marathons and crawled the length of the Kokoda Track. His podcast hosts influential and prominent Aussies for a chat about what it means to be alive and what it means to be Australian. You can expect Kurt to spin a yarn with sporting greats like Adam Goodes and Layne Beachley, pop culture icons like Osher Gunsberg and The Wiggles and politicians such as Bill Shorten and Gladys Berejiklian. Learn more at kurtfearnley.com

Lois Strachan interviews Julie Jones

TOO PEAS IN A PODCAST, WITH MANDY HOSE AND KATE JONES You will laugh and you will cry alongside co-hosts Mandy and Kate, two unapologetic mums who love a chuckle, as they talk about parenting children with additional needs. Too Peas in a Podcast had been running for less than a year when it was recognised by Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb from Chat 10 Looks 3 and Mia Freedman from Mamamia Out Loud. Check out toopeasinapodcast.com.au

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The Shine Shed All Abilities Play Centre! Covid 19 has hit many businesses hard, including the Shine Shed All Abilities Play Centre. The Shine Shed was closed for a couple of weeks and then with NSW Health permission, reopened again after easter for private sessions. From 1st July the Shine Shed reopened for Open Play and can now host 20 participants plus parents/carers and have resumed with birthday parties. Safety is our highest priority so we have now implemented: • Specific sessions throughout the day (see websites). • Private Hire $125 hr up to 10 people. Bring your family and friends, stay safe and save! • The centre is cleaned and sanitised between sessions. • Every person entering the Shine Shed has to complete a temperature check and health declaration, and complete our sign in sheet for contact tracing. • Online booking is available and encouraged to reduce contacts. • Social distancing , handwashing / sanitising is encouraged at all times. • Both centres have airbags rather than foam pits!

SHINE SHED NORTH WEST IS OPEN! In the midst of all this pandemic craziness the Shine Shed North West at Vineyard opened on the 4th July! Perfectly located for families in Windsor, the Hills District and Blacktown areas. The Shine Shed North West is proudly owned by Iain and Samantha Thomson and their family of Brianna, Nate and Zach. Brianna and Zach both live with a rare genetic disorder called CDG (PIGN) MCAHSS1- Congenital

Disorders of Glycolsylation subtype PIGN and after visiting the Shine Shed in Campbelltown and seeing the benefits it offered their children, were keen to bring the Shine Shed closer to home and to their community in North West Sydney. Like the original Shine Shed, the North West centre features an accessible zipline, air bag pit, climbing walls, trampoline, therapy swings, sensory room, wheelchair cubby, spinning pods and more. There is a full café so you can grab a hot coffee , lunch or a snack while watching the everyone have fun! It’s also air conditioned for year round comfort.

ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES At the Shine Shed, we get asked all the time – What age is the Shine Shed suitable for? The answer is simple – any age. The Shine Shed was designed to meet the sensory, play and social needs of people of all ages. Weight is the main factor with equipment use, and most of our equipment can manage 100kg with ease with many pieces rated to 200kg. Lets face it, our young children with sensory needs often grow into young adults with an ongoing need for sensory input! Many adults enjoy visiting the centre and its always great to see teens and young adults having a blast alongside everyone else, with no judgement and loads of acceptance! Both centres are happy to cater to individual adults wanting to come and join the fun Or adult group programs. Adults are welcome to come at anytime, but we suggest that if they have behaviour challenges or are extremely sensitive that you contact us and we can arrange a nice quiet time to come along.

THE SHINE SHED ALL ABILITIES PLAY CENTRE South West Sydney North West Sydney 5 Mount Erin Rd 1/16 Rob Place Campbelltown, Nsw Vineyard, NSW 02 4629 5555 02 4577 9107 shineshed.com.au shineshednorthwest.com.au

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Making Dreams Happen with Integrity During these difficult times, it is gratifying to see people come together to help and support those in need. In the last month Integrity Car Sales and Rentals (ICSAR) had a couple of standout examples of collaboration and generosity in action.

ICSAR SALES A while ago, Integrity was approached by a family who needed a vehicle to transport their six-year-old daughter, Kareena. Kareena has cerebral palsy. Integrity knew they had to help. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance rallied together in an amazing fund-raising effort with the local Lions Clubs of Balgowlah, Frenchs Forest, Mosman, the Lions District Cabinet, and the Australian Lions Foundation. After months of dedication, a wheelchair accessible vehicle was presented to Kareena’s family at Integrity’s Sydney home office. Even though it rained on the day, the spirits and smiles of

all involved could not be dampened.

ICSAR RENTALS Integrity opened their latest satellite rental site in the Illawarra region partnering with local representative Evan Loats. Evan knew Jack Clewley, a young man with cerebral palsy who was a mad Rabbitohs fan and wanted to go to a game in Sydney. Until now, this had been impossible. There were no disability rental vehicle services south of Sydney and a bus or taxi would be too expensive. Integrity is a registered NDIS Provider so Jack was able to use his NDIS funds to go to the game with his carer, James Brooks, from local disability service provider Interchange Illawara. Unfortunately, even though Jack and James were Rabbitohs members, they had missed out on a ballot to win tickets to the game. Integrity got in touch with the club, explained the situation and the club

generously gave Jack and James tickets to the game. The Rabbitohs beat the Warriors and Jack and James couldn’t have been more delighted. Experiences like these are what keeps the team at Integrity going; the drive to help people get out, travel, and do what they love motivates everything Integrity does. Whether the customer needs spare parts, troubleshooting, or repair call outs, the team is just a phone call away. They will also do everything they can to support their customers in renting a vehicle and regaining their freedom. “To be of service is the reason we are in this industry and we couldn’t be happier doing what we do” INTEGRITY TEAM.

1300 WELCAB | 1300 935 222 icsar.com.au chairshare.com.au

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THREE WICKED WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER

Image: NSW Water Ski Federation

With the weather warming up and summer just a splash away, all you water babies will be dreaming of your first swim. We’ve rounded up three of our favourite accessible water-based activities available in different locations around Australia. Dive in and test them out this summer! ADAPTIVE WATER SKIING Never tried water skiing before? Now’s your chance! Most states around Australia have a Water Ski Federation that runs coaching and provides adaptive equipment to first-timers. The NSW Water Ski Federation Disabled Division, for one, holds open ‘Come ‘n’ Try’ days at Manly Dam, Cooks River or Wisemans Ferry. There are modified sit skis, life jackets, ski ropes and all necessary equipment available for use. You can return for training days if you come to love the sport. For the more serious skiers among us, Disabled Water Ski Australia is super keen to help skiers with vision or mobility impairments progress into competitive water skiing.

SAILABILITY This volunteer-based non-profit encourages all abilities to learn the ropes of para-sailing. Sailability and Discover Sailing operate at multiple locations around the country and the world. In Tasmania, for example, you can take part at Wynyard, Launceston and Hobart. Queensland has a whopping 15 Sailability clubs. Depending on the club, you can expect modified docks, instructors keen to adapt, all-abilities events and a range of modified vessels kitted out with mobility equipment. Anyone can become a member or tag along to give it a try, whether you’re after recreational therapy or have your sights set on conquering a competition.

SCUBA GYM Brought to Australia by scuba instructor and experienced diver Lyndi Leggett, Scuba Gym provides scuba therapy at Woy Woy Peninsula Leisure Centre on the Central Coast. The experience is tailored to each diver, catering to a whole host of conditions such as quadriplegia, MS, cerebral palsy, autism and PTSD. You’ll meet up with Lyndi and her team of expert divers and first aiders to chat about your goals, complete the necessary forms and checks, get fitted out with the gear and take the plunge. If you want to keep it a one-off, Lyndi also runs Scuba Camps for adults and children. Participants are paired up with a buddy for one to three days to enjoy water-based and arts activities. Based on your preference, you can focus on learning to float, swim, snorkel or scuba.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The Chariot Mobility Trailer giving freedom to wheelchair users It has been a challenging year for many in our communities. Times like these make us appreciate our loved ones more so than ever before. However, for many people, the physical distance and isolation has become more immense than previously experienced. A multitude of issues arise that prevent us from seeing friends and family who may live a considerable distance away. Transport is at the forefront of this, as it gives us the ability to go wherever want to go. At Mobility Engineering, we do our best to break down limitations by providing people with mobility solutions that suit their everyday needs. Now that travel restrictions have lifted, people will want to visit their loved ones or explore the beautiful country we call home. They may also need to bring their wheelchair or scooter with them to

get around more easily in the community. Difficulties arise when transporting our mobility devices with us in a vehicle. The Bruno Chariot Mobility Trailer is a great solution for someone requiring the additional space, enabling wider community access and freedom.

BRUNO CHARIOT MOBILITY TRAILER The Chariot sits on the back of any vehicle with a towbar and has been designed with ease of operation in mind. Simply bring the platform down to the ground with the push of a button, then drive right on in your mobility device. Once on the platform, push the button to raise it back up to the right height. Secure your mobility device to the platform, and you are ready to go to wherever you want, with peace of mind.

The Chariot is also equipped with 360° wheels and has a solid hitch connection, which means the Chariot goes in whichever direction you go. You do not need to know how to reverse a trailer and you can parallel park. Products like the Chariot are giving the community their accessibility back by allowing greater freedom of movement to those who need it. Let us explore the country, visit our friends and family and create more wonderful memories in our community.

Mobility Engineering 02 9482 4572 4/45 Salisbury Road, Asquith, 2077, NSW info@mobilityengineering.com.au

Be a part of the most inclusive travel magazine around. Contact us to find out how you can showcase your accessible and inclusive offering. travelwithoutlimits.com.au/advertise

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Mable providing support & independence 22-year-old Iranian refugee Jasmine is having a blast and loving life. She lives with a disability and receives wonderful support through Mable.com.au, which helps her connect with independent support people of similar age and interests. Today, Jasmine is studying Psychology at Macquarie University and supports her community through social work in refugee centres. It’s a role that involves occasional travel and with the support of the independent workers she’s connected with via Mable, she is able to make these journeys with ease. After originally fleeing to Jakarta from Iran at the age of 13, Jasmine then embarked on a long journey to Australia with her mother and sister. For months, Jasmine’s family stayed in detention centres until they moved to Sydney where she was enrolled in school in Collaroy. NDIS funding was approved when Jasmine was 17 and while initially set on a traditional path of plan

management, she found that the support workers assigned to her were never a good match. They were usually much older than her and as a young lady with a vibrant personality, Jasmine knew she’d feel happier with a support team more close in age, who could understand her and have some fun and a few laughs. The age difference also meant she didn’t feel entirely comfortable asking for advice or help. When Jasmine learned about Mable, everything changed! She was able to browse the profiles of independent support people on the Mable app, and could choose those who she thought might be a personality match as well as be able to look after her particular needs. It wasn’t long before Jasmine was able to gain a lot more independence and could finally start to take control of her own life. She could go shopping, to the movies and explore cool places to eat, all with the assistance and

companionship of her team of support she connected with via Mable. As her career took shape, Jasmine’s support workers were able to help her pursue her goals and ambitions. They would help her get to various community volunteer projects such as girl scouts, refugee children playgroups and food drives. When a conference came up in Brisbane and Jasmine wanted to attend, one of her support workers made the trip with her so she could be part of a series of focus groups that unpacked issues surrounding education for refugees. Jasmine felt empowered because she could take a trip without her parents and leave home for days with only her support person. Jasmine is now using Mable to access support for her university studies and has never felt happier or more fulfilled! Learn more at mable.com.au

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

NAPA Spreads its Magic! NAPA Centre is a world renown clinic that helps children with neurological and developmental needs reach their maximum potential. Established in Los Angeles in 2008, NAPA now has four clinics across the world including our Sydney clinic which has been open since 2016. NAPA has been established by families for families, coming together and supporting each other on a journey through the disability world. NAPA strives to be a place of therapy innovation and excellence, to be a place of hope for families, and to make a real difference for children and teens with disabilities, every single day. NAPA is now excited to announce we are expanding again with the opening of their longawaited new clinic in Melbourne, Victoria!

EXPERIENCE THE NAPA DIFFERENCE Each child is unique with very specific needs and NAPA embraces these differences with an understanding and individualised program. NAPA specialises in the intensive model of therapy combining tailored and specialised multi-discliplinary therapy programs over three full weeks. NAPA’s therapy team will help families determine the best combination of therapies and the number of hours that will be suitable for their child’s goals. Each intensive is customised to a child’s specific needs and interests and is delivered in a focused, fun and engaging way. As well as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy services, NAPA also offers a range of highly unique services and equipment, many of which are not available at other centres including: Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME)/

Medek, Neurosuit therapy, UGUL therapy, Developmental Feeding therapy, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, Sensory Integration, specialised AAC programs, swallowing and VitalStim® therapy. All services are offered under one roof, meaning that your child will truly experience the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to their weekly and intensive therapy programs. The NAPA trained therapists have extensive experience in the treatment of children with a wide range of disabilities and collaborate with each other and their established network of over 80 therapists worldwide to ensure your child is receiving the best treatment in the most-timely manner possible. And, all of NAPA’s therapy services are covered by the NDIS.

NAPA MELBOURNE IS COMING! NAPA is delighted to announce that in September 2021, they will open a permanent new clinic in Melbourne! This will be NAPA's second Australian clinic, bringing the NAPA experience and magic to so many more children. Like Sydney, the new centre will offer both intensive therapy sessions throughout the year and weekly sessions. NAPA are very excited that with the second clinic they will be able to help so many more children each year.

REGISTER TODAY Registration for 2021 intensive and weekly programs for the Sydney clinic, new Melbourne clinic and our Gold Coast and Auckland intensive pop-up clinics are now open. For all information about registering for NAPA including the patient intake process, visit napacentre.com.au

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BOOK SHELF FAVES Cooped up indoors with kids? With travel restrictions preventing family holidays, the best way to explore outside your reality is through art and imagination. These five children’s books are a lot of fun, plus they come with the important lesson that we might all be different, but we all love going on adventures!

THE ADVENTURES OF MISSY MOUSE - LOIS STRACHAN Missy Mouse Goes to the Park is the first instalment of this four-book series for children, written by Lois Strachan and illustrated by Colleen Gomez about a blind mouse who relies on her other senses. Lois has received great feedback from families about the series: “It allowed their children to understand that someone with a visual impairment is just an average, everyday person who does things with different techniques.” Lois has also written a memoir-style book for grown-ups called A Different Way of Seeing.

FERGUS AND DELILAH MISA ALEXANDER, ERIN KNUTT Delilah’s friend Fergus might be wired a little differently, but the pair enjoys exploring and playing together. Self-published in 2016, picture book Fergus and Delilah was inspired by Misa’s son Hugo, who is on the autism spectrum. Teachers and parents have responded with glowing praise for the book, which helps teach kids about difference and inclusion.

LET’S EXPLORE WITH COR COR - CORY LEE Cory Lee of Curb Free with Cory Lee travel blog has just released his first children’s book, co-written with his mum. “We wanted to create a book about a kid in a wheelchair that travelled the world,” says Cory, “because when I was growing up we never saw another character in books or on TV who used a wheelchair like I did.” Cor Cor stops in at Iceland and even our very own Taronga Zoo Sydney.

DARE TO BE YOU JESSICA IRWIN, MARLENA KATENE This one is not a children’s book per se, but it sure does have some pretty pictures! The hardcover coffee table book features inspirational quotes from Marlena and stunning landscape photography by Jessica. Both women live with cerebral palsy and aim to inspire others to get out and see the world.

WHEN I GROW UP MARLENA KATENE “There are many things I want to be/ but at the moment I am just happy/ being ME.” This is a picture book with a powerful message about self-acceptance and showing kindness to others. The bright and colourful images were created by Tennille Banks.

COVER STORY

RIDING A WAV E OF SUCCESS

Sophie Cullen spoke to world championship kayaker and surfer Sam Bloom about her journey, travel and what it’s like to have your story told in print and on the big screen. IMAGES: CAMERON BLOOM AND @SAMJBLOOM

Left: Sam and Cameron Bloom surfing at Bungan Beach Below: Sam at La Jolla San Diego 2020

Bloom

Sam

COVER STORY

It 22

took a magpie named Penguin and a letter from a stranger to get Sam Bloom surfing again. Since then, Sam has won international titles and held spots on the Australian teams in both surfing and kayaking. When we spoke, she had just returned with her husband, Cam, and three sons from her second surfing world championship in the United States. “I’d surfed all my life,” says Sam. “But after my accident…it took me five years before I got back on a board.” A terrible injury on a family holiday in Thailand left Sam paralysed from the chest down. “We were four days into our holiday, half way between Phuket and Bangkok. We were staying at a really beautiful hotel right on the beach. I leaned against the railing and it broke. I fell six metres and broke my back.” Sam, who was a registered nurse, sports fan and travel lover, was devastated.

A strange twist of fate

COVER STORY

Left: Sam during the World Adaptive Surf Championships La Jolla San Diego 2020 Below: Sam with Jose Martinez US Adaptive surfer

“When I came home from hospital, as you can imagine, I wasn’t the best,” she says. “I was angry and sad. From where we live, we can see the ocean and it just rubbed it in.” It was a strange twist of fate, in the form of a tiny bird, that helped Sam through her rehab and her return back home. On the way home one afternoon, her middle son Noah found a baby magpie blown out of her nest. “We took her home because we thought that she would’ve died,” says Sam. “She was so cool. It was perfect timing in a way, because she kept me company. I enjoyed caring for her and nothing makes you feel better than caring for others. I would talk to her all the time. She was like a little sounding board.” Sam’s husband Cam, a photographer by trade, documented the family’s interactions with Penguin the magpie. The photographs were published in a book co-written by Bradley Trevor Greive called Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird who Saved a Family. “It was really weird,” says Sam, “because she [Penguin] left when I went to Italy. I’ve often said, she came at the perfect time and left at the perfect time.” This trip to Italy was Sam’s first time overseas in a wheelchair. “When I got out of rehab, I started kayaking. After a couple of years, I got onto the Australian team and we went to Italy for the world championships.” Having visited the country several times before her accident, returning in a wheelchair was not easy. “It was not what it used to be. It was a love-hate thing. I love Rome, but I hated being in a wheelchair going over all those cobblestones. The accommodation was really hard; the bathrooms were so small and Cam had to piggyback me up the stairs. As a family, we still had fun, but it was pretty tricky at the same time.” Despite international success, Sam’s dedication to kayaking did not match her lifelong passion for surfing. One day, she received a letter from the mother of Australian pro surfer Julian Wilson. 

} COVER STORY

“I didn’t know them,” Sam marvels. “But she said, ‘I read your story and I know you love surfing and have a connection with the ocean.’ In a roundabout way, she convinced me to get back out there.” “The first time I got back on a board it was really fun. I went out with Noah [Sam’s middle son] and a friend, Tom Carroll, who is a two time world champion surfer. Tom was pushing me on the waves. I loved it. It’s not the same, but it was great to be back out in the water with Noah having fun together.” In 2018, Sam competed in the Australian Titles, which she found “much more chilled” compared to kayaking. “Everyone’s really nice and loves the ocean. It’s still competitive, but it’s not as nerve-wracking as sitting there, waiting to try and paddle as hard as you can for 200 metres.” It was at this event that Sam made the Australian team and went on to America to surf in the world championships. “It was so unreal. There are people from everywhere. Because I love travelling, I loved meeting people from other countries – from Argentina and Costa Rica. It was the best event.” Encountering new people and cultures has always drawn Sam to overseas travel. Her first big trip was to Europe when she finished university, and from there she spent a couple of months travelling through Turkey, down through the Middle East and over to Egypt and West Africa. She remembers particularly fondly the experience of witnessing a festival in northern Ethiopia. “In northern Ethiopia, the people are Coptic Christian. We were there for this festival called Timkat where priests dress in silk robes carrying replicas of the Ark of the Covenant. It was awesome. Then you go down south to the Omo Valley where tribes have existed unchanged for centuries. We loved the diversity of cultures. From a young age, I always dreamed of going to Africa and am so grateful that I was able to visit so many amazing countries.” Sam’s extensive travels will feature in a new book coming out in September. Also written by Bradley Trevor Greive after 

# COVER STORY

New people and cultures

Left: Australian Team captain Sebastian van Veenendaal and Sam La Jolla San Diego 2020 Above: Local Fijian girl with Sam Fiji 2019

& COVER STORY

extensive interviews, it will cover Sam’s perspective and will be called Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong. “It is so weird seeing your name on a book!” laughs Sam. The story of Sam, her family and Penguin has also made it on the big screen. A film will be released next year starring Naomi Watts as Sam and Andrew Lincoln as Cam. The filming process was bizarre for Sam, who was on set most days. “You’re watching a monitor and listening with a headset while they film, thinking, whoa, she’s playing me!” says Sam. “The one thing I said to them, before they even started filming, was ‘all I want is for you guys to make it honest.’ I didn’t want them to ‘Hollywood’ it, to make it all happy at the

end. They stuck to that, which I’m thankful for. Our whole family is really happy with the film.” Filming might have wrapped, but the Bloom family still have at least one superstar in residence. “They had to do what they call ‘pickups,’ or extra bits of filming,” says Sam. “Someone found a baby magpie, and she’s in the film! As a joke we sometimes call her Hollywood.” Hollywood, who is usually known as Chicken, is often joined at the Bloom family home by a cheeky currawong called Frankie. Frankie only has one eye and was rescued after being thrown out of her nest as a baby. “They live outside, but they’ll just fly in. Frankie is cute but she’s very naughty. She’ll know when we want her to go back out because she just keeps flying around!” With a movie, two books and many a sporting accolade under her belt, what’s next for Sam Bloom? “I want to continue surfing and keep training to become a three-time world champion,” she says. “Hopefully the world is in better shape this time next year and we can all get back to travelling, competing and doing what we love.”

COVER STORY

Left: Gaye Hatfield Sam’s kayaking coach with Sam on Narrabeen Lake 2019 Below: Mark Mono Stewart with Sam La Jolla San Diego 2020

Really happy with the film 27

30 Northern exposure Australia’s east coast is a feast for the senses 34 The flight you have when you’re grounded 40 Getting it right Professor Simon Darcy on the obstacles in mainstream tourism for travellers with a disability 46 Surfers – was, is and will always be – Paradise 50 Discover Lake Macquarie Escape to Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake for adventure or relaxation 58 Rollin’ in Noosa 10 accessible things to do and see 63 Capital Gains Canberra experiences and attractions for travellers with a wide range of needs 66 Happy beach days Why beach holidays are a great fit those with autism spectrum disorder 70 The spectacular NSW Central West Mel Harrison shares an insider’s perspective 74 Travelling The Great Central Road from WA to NT 80 Where the magic happens The inside scoop from a former Walt Disney World cast member 86 Take it to the top Marcela Maranon on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 92 Making Trax All inclusive but not exclusive New Zealand

Nine Mile beach

NORTHERN EXPOSURE Tanya and Mackenzie drive the east coast of Australia and discover experiences to tantilise all the senses. WORDS: TANYA SAVVA

Sensory Friendly

Vision Impairment

Left: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Above: Cape Hillsborough National Park

urnt-out, disconnected and exhausted as a solo mum to my 7-year-old daughter with special needs, I was desperate to escape the 9-5 grind. I wanted to bathe in the magic of wide open spaces, starlit nights, sunrises over a salty horizon and long roads. After 12 months of planning, we waved goodbye to a life we’d known. With a caravan and bike in tow, we needed nothing more than a sign directing us to the Pacific Highway. The plan? Travel up the east coast of Australia from Sydney as far as we could without a 4WD. Some thought it was a little reckless for a single woman and her blind daughter to navigate this great expanse of Australian coast. But I trusted that this experience would offer the space, connections, solitude, spontaneity, freedom and beauty that we sought. Our senses were delighted in the first few weeks of our journey. On the first day we found ourselves on a ‘stinky and bumpy’ camel ride over the sand dunes of Birubi Beach, near Port Stephens. At a fundraising event in Maitland, we met a helicopter pilot who gifted us with a joy ride in his helicopter. We flew over the magnificent Newcastle coastline, experiencing the wild sensation of a powerful machine as it vibrated, whirled and whizzed. Mackenzie’s tactile and auditory

needs were satisfied, while my eyes feasted on the view. We headed north to Coffs Harbour and learned about the conservation efforts at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park. We fed and were kissed by a seal and had the privilege of swimming with a rescued dolphin. Getting so close to these majestic creatures, which would have died abandoned in the wild, left us awestruck. We were also amazed by the love of the caretakers. Our country is rich in history, diverse landscapes and experiences that offer interactive and unique learning opportunities. The Gold Coast Hinterland, for example, offered an array of activities in the lush Mount Tamborine precinct. We revisited this dense rainforest region three times to explore it all. The Skywalk is an accessible and informative walk along the treetops. The Mount Tamborine Glow Worm Cave presented a short but fascinating tour in support of their conservation efforts. Safe, well-lit, lengthy bike tracks are plentiful along the shore lines of the eastern seaboard. We frequented these for sightseeing, exercise and a dose of fresh air after long drives. I relayed information I read about the towns as we roamed on our bike along the Sunshine Coast, Tin Can Bay, Hervey Bay, Elliot 

We braved the freezing rainforest waters of the Mosman Gorge in Port Douglas

Above: Cardwell and Spa Pool Below: Mackenzie with a snake around her neck Billabong Sanctuary, Townsville

Heads, Tannum Sands, Yeppoon and all the way up at the Whitsundays and Cairns. We stayed in caravan parks and received warm reception and kind offerings from park managers who provided helpful tourist information and invited us to barbecues on the beach. Mackenzie’s social disposition made it easy to connect and seek guidance and support when needed. We met so many incredible travellers, many of whom frequented the east coast to escape the Victorian winter and were willing to share meals, stories, and assist with broken caravan parts. We chose destinations based on recommendations of the strangers who became friends over sunset drinks. We loved the interactive Mary Poppins Story Bank Museum in Maryborough. We got up close and personal with an array of animals at the Australia Zoo, and relished the educational bird show and turtle feeding at Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville. Park managers were incredibly considerate of our needs and helpful in suggesting places to visit that would be interactive and enjoyable. We found ourselves lazing on a catamaran sailing the Fraser Island coast with a skipper named Brian. He was the salt of the earth, weathered and friendly, jovial and full of stories. Seventeen Seventy captured our hearts with its picture-perfect sunsets, rich modern Australian and Indigenous history. We braved a 1770 LARC tour on an amphibious craft that took us along the Bustard Bay coastline, flew down sand dunes on boogie boards, and visited Queensland's only operating lighthouse. The Whitehaven Express took us to the oasis of Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays where we snorkelled with groper fish. We braved the freezing rainforest waters of the Mosman Gorge in Port Douglas, meandered accessible paths in the ancient landscape and ate an abundance of home-made ice cream from fruit orchards in the Daintree Rainforest. Flying over the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail and the Gold Class upgrade on the Kuranda Scenic Railway was a luxurious and exciting end to a northern Queensland adventure. Australia hosts an array of activities that fulfil the most adventurous, gentle or inquisitive spirit. Not short of an opportunity to capture your heart, despite Mackenzie’s blindness, we had the adventure of a lifetime. It has filled us with wonder, as the memories of that 6-month journey live on.

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Jordan Ashby (L) and James (Buck) McFarlane (R)

Tailored tours for blind, low vision & deaf travellers A new kind of tourism has been quietly achieving exceptional experiences for travellers with specific needs. For the past two years, tour operator Cocky Guides has been delivering sensory group adventures for blind & low vision travellers. More than 350 Australians have experienced Cocky Guides unique interpretation of destinations without sight! James (Buck) McFarlane explains "We understood that our blind & low vision travellers could access a destination independently with one on one support, but this was an extra expense over & above the cost of a holiday. A traveller could also join a group tour; however, most tours focus on sightseeing & this can negatively impact the traveller's experience at a destination. To ensure traveller satisfaction, we needed to deliver destinations differently. So, we eliminated sightseeing & highlighted destination experiences by engaging our traveller's

other senses. "Our community groups enjoyed trialling day tours for Cocky Guides. They provide outstanding personalised services that embrace activities that suit our client needs & wants. It fills a gap in the tourism market for blind & low vision travellers" Jordan Ashby, Client Services NSW for Vision Australia.

AUSLAN TOURS Buck is applying a similar philosophy that's been successful in delivering tours for blind & low vision travellers, to his new enterprise Sensory Tourism Australia. This new business provides fun, accessible & engaging experiences for Deaf Australians. Sensory Tourism Australia provides Day Tours, Weekend Escapes & Sensory Short Breaks that focus on a specific region. Travellers can choose a small group adventure with up to 10 guests & journey to destinations throughout Australia & New

Zealand. Tailored trip design highlights sensory experiences that are unique to each destination. Tours are led by a professional trip leader & supported by an onboard Auslan Interpreter. If you'd love a tactile experience in the world's oldest rainforest in Tropical North Queensland, enjoy a traditional Maori hāngī in Rotorua or sleep in Australia's most haunted house in Junee, you'll be sure to find a destination delivered perfectly different! Search scheduled adventures with an Auslan Interpreter & Book at sensorytourismaustralia.com

LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITY Interested in a specific destination or departure date? There is limitless opportunity to create your very own unique small group adventure with family & friends by calling Sensory Tourism Australia on 1300 657 640

r est daughte Our young rry on bags r ca checked ou

Our son worked security

THE FLIGHT YOU HAVE WHEN YOU’RE GROUNDED 34

Cancelled travel plans can be so disappointing. Here’s how one family turned lemons into lemonade and travelled the world virtually when COVID-19 saw their grand European adventure grounded. WORDS: KIRSTY RUSSELL

ience rsive exper nus e m im r u O t me ded infligh with bran

Dietary Needs Sensory Friendly

Wheelchair Accessible

We had grand plans for 2020. For five years, we’d planned and prepped for a big old European adventure. Over 11 weeks, we were going to tick off the main sights of Europe and the UK, with three kids in tow and a set of grandparents along for the ride (and for much-needed support)! Obviously, COVID-19 had other ideas and we had to cancel our long-held plans and go into lockdown instead. Now, we could have left things at that, but my husband had other ideas. When he first suggested that we recreate our flight to Europe, I laughed it off. Recreate the worst part of the trip, for fun? However, as our original departure date neared and lockdown wore on, it began to look like a positive way to process our disappointment while keeping us entertained. Which is how we ended up on a virtual adventure, enjoyed from the comfort of our very own lounge room.

RECREATING OUR FLIGHT TO EUROPE

My husband set up our lounge room with two rows of seats, complete with complimentary blankets. He also brought up an old school library trolley from the shed so we could deliver meals just like real cabin crews do during the flight. Creating the fictional Lounge Chair Air (where

the air is free, everything else is extra) he designed custom boarding passes for us, complete with gate number, flight details and QR code. He also completed our immersive experience with branded inflight menus, featuring delicacies like ‘probably still crunchy cookies’ and ‘lasagna ala freezer’. The kids surprised us with their enthusiasm to take on different roles as we prepared for check-in. Our youngest daughter checked our carry on bags, our son worked security, directing us to walk through the metal detector (a portable clothes rack!) and our eldest daughter guided us to our seats as we entered the cabin.

IMMERSING OURSELVES IN THE EXPERIENCE

Once 3.50pm hit (the time our real flight was supposed to depart) we were seated and ready for our 15-hour long haul flight from Sydney to Doha. As that’s a long time for anyone to be confined in one place, especially kids, we made sure we were prepared, with iPads at the ready and streaming services available on our TV. No flight is complete without an authentic aeroplane meal. We had originally planned to get the kids used to aeroplane food with frozen meals at home before we left. So, we ran with that idea for our virtual adventure, serving the kids microwaved 

Microwaved bu rgers and fries in a foil tr ay

burgers and fries in a foil tray, with a fruit cup, dairy dessert and can of drink on the side. For us, we tucked into frozen lasagne, fries and a creme caramel cup, also snacking on homemade chocolate crackles and hot chocolate along the way. As the hours went on, the inflight complimentary alcohol selection started to look pretty good!

JUST LIKE A REAL FLIGHT

Just like a real flight, we still had to take turns heading to the toilet, although we were spared the awkward glances from fellow passengers as we waited in the aisle for our turn. While we benefitted from neck pillows, blankets and bigger than average seats on our virtual flight, it still wasn’t easy to sleep. After eight hours in the lounge room, my son went off to explore ‘first class’ (his bedroom) and I followed suit a little later. Our two girls made the most of the empty cabin, while my husband sought refuge in business class (the lounge in the rumpus room). After getting a little shut-eye, we found our way

back to our seats to complete the remainder of our journey. By 8am, we took a break as we enjoyed our two-hour layover in Doha. While there was no dutyfree shopping, there was a welcome chance to stretch our legs. After six more hours of ‘flying’, we disembarked in Munich at 2pm. As expected, the kids quickly made their escape and locked themselves in their rooms for much-needed alone time, while my husband and I started to plan for the next part of our virtual European adventure.

BEYOND THE FLIGHT

After our virtual flight, we kept the feeling of being on holidays alive by following our original itinerary. In each destination, we took online tours of museums, checked out 360º videos of famous attractions, watched travel videos and cooked European classics, such as pretzels, Croque monsieurs, macarons, paella, bangers and mash and more. The highlight of our virtual adventure was recreating Disneyland at home for our youngest daughter’s 10th birthday. While we could never make up for not being at Disneyland Paris as planned, we wore Mickey hats, served up quick service fast food meals, enjoyed our own Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and went on virtual rides thanks to YouTube!

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT VIRTUAL TRAVEL

Virtual adventures are a way everyone can enjoy the benefits of travel without the cost, the accessibility challenges and discomfort of being away from home. We were surprised at the variety of options available online, which grew as lockdown wore on. Whatever your dream destination, a quick search online will yield all sorts of virtual fun. While we will travel again, this experience helped us prepare our kids for the real thing by introducing them to new foods and experiencing the highlights of each destination from the safety of home. Our two eldest kids are on the autism spectrum so anxiety always runs high. Travelling virtually helped them get used to the idea of travel without the stress of the real thing. If you’re itching to travel right now but can’t, or if you’ve always wanted to take the leap but just couldn’t do it, now’s the time to discover the joy of virtual travel. You don’t need to recreate the flight (I probably wouldn’t do that again) but adventure really does await if you’re willing to get a little creative and give things a go.

Follow Kirsty at facebook.com/InclusiveParenting

Now’s the tim e to discover the joy of virt ual travel

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Adelaide the place to be as restrictions ease With options for international travel still limited, there’s no better time to look to our own backyard to satisfy itchy feet. South Australia has been a leader in keeping COVID-19 under control in recent months. While there’s still a need to remain cautious, its capital Adelaide offers the chance to see the sights and stay safe as we continue to emerge from restrictions. U City in the heart of the Adelaide CBD is the perfect base to explore the City of Churches. Its 18 purpose-built Accessible Serviced Apartments are specially designed to make your visit as convenient and independent as possible. Each of the 1-, 2and 3-bedroom apartments are fitted with different accessible features designed for

low-, medium- and high-physical support, so guests can select the one most suitable to their needs. Guest Robert De Pasquale is about to come back for his fifth stay at the brand new 20-storey building. ‘I found out about U City through my Support Coordinator,’ he says. ‘I initially came for a two-week stay and fell in love with it. I’ve now visited four times and my next will be for a month. ‘The facilities are all fully accessible. I can arrange food delivery, manage my own laundry, do the dishes… and the bathrooms are amazing.’ Within the apartments you’ll find a range of purpose-built features such as wheel-

under hot plates and kitchen sink, motorised doors and blinds, lifter tracks and functional beds, height-adjustable en suite basins and kitchen benches, wide doors and passages, and step-free thresholds and shower cubicles. Apartments are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art assistive technology, allowing guests to control elements from their smart device, and to contact Concierge from wherever they are in the apartment. Built-in cameras also allow people to see visitors at the entrance and remotely grant access to the building. ‘One of the best parts has been using my iPad to tap into the assistive technology,’ Robert says. ‘It’s made it so easy to manage

ADVERTISING FEATURE

“I initially came for a twoweek stay and fell in love with it. I’ve now visited four times and my next will be for a month.”

things like the air conditioning, lights and blinds.’ Just down the street from U City is the renowned Adelaide Central Market, one of the largest fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere. Dining options are available in every direction, from the revitalised Leigh and Peel Street laneways to the delectable cuisines of Gouger Street. A range of public transport options nearby will allow you to explore further afield. Adelaide’s central shopping precinct, Rundle Mall, is just a few tram stops from U City, and just beyond that along North Terrace are the Art Gallery, SA Museum and picturesque Botanic Gardens. ‘I enjoyed heading out and about most

days to places like the Central Market to do my shopping or to Luigi Delicatessen downstairs,’ Robert says. ‘I found I was much more active than usual.’ Not only is it home to stunning coastline, inviting wine and hills regions, and a jampacked arts and culture calendar, Adelaide is also leading the way in access and inclusion. In 2019, the City of Adelaide endorsed its Access and Inclusion Plan, making clear its commitment to making the city a welcoming place for everyone to enjoy. Similarly, U City has been developed with accessibility the priority for the building’s design. ‘As a wheelchair user, it’s been great to stay in a part of the city that’s pretty flat,’

says Robert. ‘It’s been the ideal location for getting out, especially at night – and having Concierge staff around 24/7 has helped my confidence and sense of security.’ U City also offers Specialist Disability Accommodation and a newly-accredited Changing Places facility – a best-practice bathroom including a hoist and other customised features to provide dignified and purpose-built toileting and showering facilities, and the only 24/7 Changing Places in the Adelaide CBD. If Adelaide is on the list for your next travel experience, consider a stay at the U City Accessible Serviced Apartments on Franklin Street. Find out more at ucity.com.au or call 1800 247 365.

GETTING IT RIGHT

We talk to Professor Simon Darcy from the University of Technology, Sydney about the obstacles that exist in mainstream tourism for travellers with a disability. WORDS: SOPHIE CULLEN

Wheelchair Accessible

When it comes to commenting on accessible tourism research and practice in Australia, few are as qualified as Simon Darcy. Feathers in his cap include the first major study of Australian research into accessible tourism in 1995, extensive work with organisations as lofty as the UN World Tourism Organisation and, more recently, reports on employment and entrepreneurship in the disability sector. As an academic of high standing in his field, an environmental planner, an accredited access auditor and a power wheelchair user, Simon Darcy is in a unique position to shed light on the obstacles that exist in mainstream tourism for people with disabilities and the way forward for the industry. “I’m a person with a disability who didn’t used to have one until an accident,” says Simon. “After I acquired my spinal cord injury, I found out how much more difficult travel was for people with disability.” According to Simon, the industry’s issues spring from misconceptions about disability.

After I acquired my spinal cord injury, I found out how much more difficult travel was for people with disability

Simon at Sargood on Collaroy

“When we look at what makes something accessible, it is radically different for disability type and level of support needs,” he says. “[It is about equipping] the industry with the understanding that accessibility is not a single provision. It is a series of opportunities for the tourism industry to understand people’s tourism needs through their embodiment.” “Tourism experience is very different depending on whether you have a mobility disability involving a manual or power wheelchair or other mobility aids, whether you are blind or vision impaired, whether you’re Deaf with a capital D or hearing impaired, 

Above: Ettalong Beach & Auckland

when you have some type of intellectual or cognitive disability and whether you might experience mental health issues,” he says. This emphasis on embodied experience is important to Simon. He references tourism theorists like John Urry, who criticise the industry’s focus on the ‘visual’, and champions what is known as an ‘experiencescape’ or ‘sensory scape’. This means thinking about tourism not just through sight but also through tactility, aroma, audio and so on. Tourism destinations are made up of all the senses and of embodied memories. An experiencescape might include audio or Auslan interpretation, an immersive Virtual Reality experience, an interactive museum exhibit and of course great food, wine and song. For some venues, it is as simple as being open to change and understanding what can be adapted. “Until recently, we were still having trouble getting reasonable levels of access at the Sydney Opera House”, says Simon, by way of example. “Now, it’s really one of the world’s leading cultural institutions on inclusiveness, from high-level

performance in the visual and performing arts, through to the children’s programs they run. A cultural change occurred there … to make it understood that it is the whole organisation’s responsibility to provide an equality of experience. It is about being interpretive, innovative and considering reuse and upgrading facilities, not just as built environments but also as information communication technologies.” Simon affirms that there is a lot to be optimistic about. Much has changed since he first began his journey in travelling and in research, when there were only four accessible rooms in the whole of Sydney with a harbour view. To travellers seeking accessible accommodation, attractions and experiences in a big city, Simon recommends focusing on accessible ‘precincts’. “It is no good saying Sydney is a wonderful accessible destination because it is not,” he says. “But there are pockets of Sydney that are extraordinary.” The attractions sector in particular have innovated their approaches to customer service, with venues such as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Sydney’s

Qudos Bank Arena catering to those across all abilities. “We’ve got a lot of good accessible products”, says Simon, “but we don’t really have an overall strategy to promote them. We need to recognise accessible tourism as both a market and part of every market segment. People with disability travel with their family and friends, just like everybody else.” Simon, together with hundreds of experts from around the world, has recently contributed to the development of the International Standards Organisation’s Tourism for All Accessible Tourism standard to be published late in 2020. This is one step toward the industry-wide recognition of all aspects of accessible tourism - including built environments, transport, attractions and marketing - and will help make travel more inclusive sector-wide. “This is the first time we will have a global approach to most things in the value chain around accessible tourism”, says Simon. “That’s a big effort.” It sure is. The transformation that has already occurred in Australian tourism is the result of the efforts of many, from researchers, policy makers, planners and all the enterprises that make up the tourism industry in Australia. The fight to open up travel for people with disabilities, through research, education and advocacy, is not one Simon and others like him are likely to give up any time soon. So watch this space.

Simon at Sargood on Collaroy

Image: Destination NSW Image: Tourism Western Australia

TOP ACCESSIBLE TOURISM PRECINCTS IN AUSTRALIA We mined Simon’s extensive knowledge of top tourism precincts around Australia to find out some of his favourite activities. “They can’t all be done for all types of disabilities, but they certainly cater to a lot of people”, he says.

01 SYDNEY CBD

In particular, the precinct around Macquarie Street has

lots of cultural attractions from Hyde Park, Hyde Park Barracks, State Library of NSW and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Art Gallery of NSW, for instance, runs great After-Hours Auslan tours and the Museum of Contemporary Art typically hosts a ‘Bella Plus Connect’ community drop-in program. Usually held at the Opera House, Opera Australia holds relaxed and accessible performances for patrons with sensory needs.

02 MANLY

“Anyone coming from overseas, whether they’ve got a disability or not, should hop on a ferry and go to Manly.” Simon suggests grabbing some fish and chips, following the coastal continuous pathway from Fairybower to Freshwater and heading to North Head National Park to watch the Sydney to Hobart take off.

03 FREMANTLE

Less than an hour south of Perth is the port city of Fremantle. Why not explore the markets, old pubs, boutique breweries and spooky history at the old Freo gaol?

04 HOBART

The Tasmanian capital is a favourite of Simon’s for its

Image: Robert Blackburn/Visit Victoria

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

Image: Tourism Tasmania & Darren Dickson

05 Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

accommodation with a view and accessible experiences such as MONA and the Tahune Airwalk. “Hobart has some really nice accessible rooms with amazing views of the Derwent and the main markets, which then give you a place to go to eat and drink the best of what Tasmania has to offer.” Simon recommends a stay at Wrest Point Casino, or in the new rooms at Hotel Grand Chancellor.

05 ADELAIDE

Simon is a fan of the predominantly accessible venues of the Adelaide Festival. He also mentioned the Adelaide Oval precinct, “where you go over the river on a beautifully designed new bridge that has really incorporated pedestrianisation.”

06 CAIRNS

“Cairns has done a lot of work in vetting for accessibility and inclusion by the local government”, says Simon. “They have wonderful listings in accessible accommodation that they have matched with a whole series of destination experiences.” While there, it is worth looking into the Crocodile Farm, Cultural Centre, Kuranda Rail and trips

out to the Great Barrier Reef. “We love staying at Palm Cove, just north of Cairns.”

07 PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island is a popular day trip from Melbourne and home to the most well known little penguin colony in Australia. The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Parks are an accessible and inclusive family favourite.

Bert & Marlena pictured

Sensory Friendly

Wheelchair Accessible Vision Impairment

SURFERS – WAS, IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE – PARADISE

From the sleek high-rise of Surfers Paradise to the sprawling sands of Burleigh Heads, the Gold Coast has all travellers covered. We chatted to Marlena Katene about her top inclusive travel picks for visitors to the Gold Coast. WORDS: MARLENA KATENE

he Gold Coast has something for every traveller and it’s a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. Summer is my favorite though because you can really make the most of the many things we have to offer here. As a local wheelchair user, these are five insider activities I would recommend. I welcome you to my backyard!

DAY OUT AT BURLEIGH BEACH

They say that “the best things in life are free”, which is definitely true of Burleigh Beach. This is my favourite place in the world. With its spacious pathways through tall pine trees, it has perfect access for any wheelchair user. A favourite walk of mine is from Miami to North Burleigh, which has ample accessible parking along the way and is close to public transport. On the weekends, the beaches roll out accessible matting and you can borrow accessible beach chairs free of charge. Be sure to ask at the Surf Club under the restaurant. When you’ve finished taking in the gorgeous view and need some food, head down to James Street. I recommend getting takeaway from Burleigh Heads Fishmongers and enjoying it in Justin's Park. For some exercise after lunch, take the lovely nature walk through the trees around Burleigh Headland to Tallebudgera Beach. Stick to the bottom path along the ocean as the one going to the top has stairs. I have done this in a manual chair with some muscles and, if you are up for it, the view at the top is worth it.

Come down to watch the sunrise at the top of Goodwin Terrace and your life will never be the same

place for some retail therapy. The centre is situated in Broadbeach and the light rail is right at the front door so you can access it from most places on the Gold Coast. I love starting the day with a Gold Class movie when I go there. The staff can remove a chair if you require space for your wheelchair, or can provide extra cushioning if you like sprawling out like I do in their comfortable chairs. Remember that companion cards are valid for Gold Class here. After the movie, there are many dining options available to you. For anyone who isn’t a shopper, they have even added daybeds and an awesome seating area. Take a nap and leave the shopping to us experts! INSIDER TIP: leave the credit card at home or come prepared. 

Burleigh Headland

INSIDER TIP: Come down to watch the sunrise at the top of Goodwin Terrace and your life will never be the same.

SHOPPING AT PACIFIC FAIR

Known locally as Pac Fair, with more than 400 stores to choose from, this is the ideal

SURFERS PARADISE

With its many high-rise buildings, shopping centres and nightclubs, Surfers is designed for the tourist market. As an adrenaline junkie, Surfers has a few options that cater to my love of a thrill. iFly is an indoor skydiving tunnel that gives the sensation of a real skydive in the safety of a smaller tunnel. Give the team a call a day or two in advance and they will ensure extra staff are on hand to accommodate any needs you tell them about. Surfers Paradise also has activities such as the Bungee Ball, or tamer rides such as dodgem cars at Timezone in the mall. The beach has amazing wide access paths and ramps. They are yet to get access mats, but I know people are working on this.

Marlena at Pacific Fair

Marlena exploring Tallebudgera Creek

AN EVENING OUT IN BROADBEACH

Broadbeach has it all, for tourists and locals alike. Broadbeach is an entertainment hub with many festivals, such as Blues on Broadbeach and Country Music Festival. Most weekends there will be a show on at the Casino or Convention Centre, but if not, there are always fine spots for a drink. My restaurant of choice is Valentino’s, with its great staff and great food. A good Sunday afternoon hang spot is Koi Dining - if you are lucky you might see the Koi Boys, who were finalists on The Voice a few years back. After dinner, head over to the Star Casino. The Star is often home to concerts from artists such as Beach Boys, Kelly Rowland, Human Nature and more. The smaller venue at the Star has very good access for concerts and you will really be close to the action in the wheelchair section. INSIDER TIP: Check out the calendar of events in Broadbeach. If there is a concert you like at the Convention Centre, ask for decent floor seats.

INSIDER TIP: Surfers Beach markets run Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 3 to 10pm along the beach path.

A DAY OUT AT THE BEACH MARKETS:

I have a stall at these markets, so I may be biased! The beach markets sell mainly locally owned and made products, with a wide range of arts and crafts available. They alternate between Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Burleigh every Sunday from 8 to 2pm. There is always live music and amazing food. My favourite is a cheese kransky from the German sausage guy, washed down with a homemade lemonade from my mate Jed. These markets have become my community over the last 10 or so years and are easily the best on the Gold Coast. We also have Carrara Markets, which are open all weekend, and a variety of other farmers markets scattered all over the coast. INSIDER TIP: Come and see the Wheelie at the Jumping Castle and say g'day. She may try to sell you her book but if you say you read this article she will give your kids a free jump.

If you want, drop me a line when you’re in town and we can catch up for a coffee. @aacjournalist @theaacjournalist marlena_katene@hotmail.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Get out and about with getaboutable.com Getaboutable is a Canberra-based social enterprise that empowers people with mobility, hearing, vision and other assistance needs, to experience mainstream travel and leisure activities. Getaboutable's goal is to make it easier for people with accessibility needs to find information about accessible infrastructure and activites. We work to encourage the travel and leisure sector to be more inclusive of people with disabilities. Getaboutable’s main service is the getaboutable.com website, an information-sharing platform with listings and reviews of accessible and inclusive travel and leisure options. Think of getaboutable.com like a TripAdvisor for the 20 per cent of the population that finds it difficult to experience new places and activities, mostly because of a lack of information about accessibility.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW AND THRIVE Getaboutable relies on crowd-sourced information. For getaboutable.com to grow as a resource, we rely on you – the users – to nominate and/or review inclusive activities and venues you have experienced. Become a member at getaboutable.com and join

the Getaboutable Community at facebook.com/groups/getaboutable to share your experiences about accessible and inclusive travel and leisure activities.

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LAKE MACQUARIE

LET’S DISCOVER

LAKE MAC

Belmont Lakeside

Discover Lake Macquarie, located on the east coast of Australia, boasting the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere - twice the size of Sydney Harbour. Made up of 90 diverse towns and villages, 30km of pristine coastline and some of the most beautiful forests in NSW, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Lake Macquarie. Located just 90 minutes north of Sydney and a short drive to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley Wine Region,

Lake Macquarie is a popular destination for holidaymakers, with many visitors choosing to visit year after year. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or an extended a holiday, be sure to immerse yourself in the array of activities available at your fingertips. Relax, unwind and take in the views, reach out and touch the sand at one of our golden beaches, escape to our natural playground for an adventure of discovery, or visit our large selection of local cafes, restaurants and shopping on offer.

LAKE MACQUARIE

Swansea Lake Mac Villa

Lake Mac Holiday Parks Lake Mac Holiday Parks provide a range of waterfront accommodation from caravanning and camping, to our newly installed state of the art accessible Lake Mac Villas/Duplex. The Lake Mac Villas/ Duplex includes accessible parking, ramp access, automatic doors and blinds, motorised adjustable shelves and accessible bathrooms. Lake Mac Holiday Parks new accessible features include a wheelchair pool ramp at Blacksmiths Beachside, a wheelchair pool hoist at Belmont Lakeside, an aquatic wheelchair and accessible playground carousel at Swansea Lakeside as well as communal facilities across all three sites. The Lake Mac Villas include a twobedroom accessible villa at Blacksmiths Beachside, a three-bedroom and twobedroom accessible villa at Swansea Lakeside and two adjoining one-bedroom cabins at Belmont Lakeside that can open into a single villa for large families. The Parks central locations ensure you are in close proximity to the many clubs, pubs and restaurants of the local area, making Swansea, Blacksmiths or Belmont the ideal place to sit back and relax.

Swansea Kitchen

Swansea Bedroom

LAKE MACQUARIE

Blacksmiths Nine Mile

Swansea Villa Interior

Across the parks there are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy including swimming pools, mini golf, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts as well as nearby boat launching facilities for water lovers alike. With the lake on its doorstep you won’t have to travel far to find something to do. Paddle in the shallow waters of the lake, take the boat out for some fishing, enjoy the vista along the stunning foreshore or if you are feeling more active & adventurous head to Blacksmiths or Pelican along the shared pathway. Blacksmiths Beach and Caves Beach are only a 5-minute drive away, or you can pack a picnic lunch and pick a spot on the foreshore to watch the boats go by at Swansea Channel. Belmont Lakeside offers breathtaking scenery with its panoramic views of the lake and island like atmosphere, Blacksmiths Beachside offering that relaxing beachside family holiday we are all looking for or Swansea Lakeside for family fun and adventure seekers right on the lakes’ edge. Lake Mac Holiday Parks has accommodation to cater for the whole family including your beloved furry friend with pet-friendly accommodation available at Belmont Lakeside and Blacksmiths Beachside.

LAKE MACQUARIE

Belmont Pool Hoist

Swimming spots

During the warmer months, take advantage of Belmont Baths and its recently upgraded accessible facilities. These include a Mobi-chair stored onsite (available to anyone with a MLAK key), ramp access, external showers, a family change room, ambulant change room, toilet facilities, an accessible changeroom and accessible parking. Blacksmiths, Caves and Redhead Beaches all offer accessible access to the beautiful pristine coastline and onsite aquatic wheelchairs available to anyone with a MLAK key. During the colder months, visit the newly renovated Toronto Swim Centre, which caters for all abilities with accessible changerooms, showers, toilets, parking and an onsite cafe.

Belmont Baths

LAKE MACQUARIE

Museum of Art and Culture Formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) is an exceptional cultural experience. Located on the waterfront at the northern end of Lake Macquarie, MAC is inclusive and accessible, and offers creative and diverse cultural programs to engage the local community and visitors alike. View exhibitions, grab a bite to eat at the onsite Sculpture Cafe or try your hand at painting, sculpting and other arts and crafts classes suitable with options for both kids and adults.

The Museum of Art and Culture

Toronto Swim Centre

LAKE MACQUARIE

Warners bay shared pathway

From the Eleebana Lions Park carpark, this shared pathway hugs the lake foreshore for its entirety, ending at MAC in Booragul. Paved and flat, this is a great pathway for families to enjoy together. One of the highlights is a 380 metre-long elevated boardwalk built out over the lake around a headland known locally as Red Bluff. Enjoy accessible parking, picnic and rest areas, as well as toilet facilities along the 8.9km stretch, perfect for all levels of fitness. While you’re at it, treat yourself to a coffee or snack (or both!) at one of the many cafes located opposite the lake on The Esplanade, right in the heart of Warners Bay.

Warners Bay

Catalina Lakefront Retreat

Accessible Bathroom

Catalina Lakefront Retreat is a multi-purpose centre on the waterfront at Rathmines, on beautiful Lake Macquarie. Owned by the charity Disability Life Enrichment, the facility was originally the hospital for the RAAF base and has been extensively renovated to meet the needs of both community and disability guests. With a history as a hospital and a nursing home, the venue is ideal to support people with a disability who have accessibility needs. There is no stairs and wide hallways and doors through the building providing easy access for people who need wheelchair access. This also includes the surrounding parkland with wide, flat pathways and easy access to the water. This is a unique facility in that Catalina Lakefront Retreat has the majority of rooms accessible.

There are a variety of bedrooms, ranging from single to family and even larger bunk rooms. There are many bathrooms and accessible ensuites in a number of rooms. This means that large groups can be easily catered for, including guests with high accessibility needs. There are plenty of areas for groups to meet, including a large function room, smaller meeting rooms, games room and a lounge. A large commercial style kitchen and multiple dining areas, including an outdoor BBQ area provide even more opportunities for social interaction. A large fenced outdoors entertaining area provides plenty of room to run around or even feed the local birds. Catalina Lakefront Retreat is an ideal venue for people with a disability to have family holidays, group retreats or even some respite.

Left: Caves Beach, One of Lake Macquaries many shared pathways, Warners Bay foreshore sculpture trail Right: Taking an art workshop at MAC, Fernleigh Track

LOVE LAKE MACQUARIE With beach caves you can roll into, kilometers of accessible pathways and outstanding accommodation options, Lake Macquarie is an easy destination to fall in love with for travellers with mobility needs. WORDS: JULIE JONES As a family we love exploring different regions when we travel, but in recent years we’ve found ourselves returning to Lake Macquarie. In the beginning it was because it was close enough to Sydney to make it a relaxing weekend away, but we’ve since discovered the region excels in access and inclusion. Here’s what keeps us returning.

WHERE WE STAY

Self-catering accommodation is our preference and with a variety of holiday parks offering accessible villas there’s plenty of choice. We particularly like the accessible villa/duplex at Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park for the location and views of the lake. There’s nothing that says we are taking a break from the hustle and bustle of Sydney like waking up to the peaceful

scene of a pelican gliding across the lake at sunrise.

WHERE WE PLAY

Caves Beach Few cave experiences provide access for a wheelchair user, so our family delights in exploring the caves at this aptly named beach. Heading down at low tide with the help of a beach wheelchair we were able to

explore the exposed rock pools and caves. A beach wheelchair is available to loan for free from the Caves Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Fernleigh Track We had so much fun wandering the Fernleigh Track and we can see why it’s the Hunter region’s most popular shared pathway. The 15km route along a disused coal haul rail line passes through multiple suburbs and takes in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Awabakal Nature Reserve and Belmont Wetlands State Park. Our son particularly enjoyed the social nature of this track with everyone greeting him in some way, from the ring of a bike bell to a quick breathless “Hi mate” from runners. Overgrown with greenery the tunnel along this track is a stunning feature and a cool place to try out an echo when no-one is watching.

MAC Overlooking the shores of Lake Macquarie we enjoyed visiting the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), the regions premier art destination. After getting our cultural fix by admiring the artworks of local artists, it was time for us to roll up our sleeves, channel Van Gough and participate in an art workshop. We were insanely proud of our artwork which was easy and fun but left us under no illusion we had an art career in our futures. A highlight of our visit was lunch in the Sculpture café where a ploughman’s platter refuelled us for more adventures. Warners Bay Foreshore Lake Macquarie offers more accessible foreshore walks than any other location we’ve visited and even produces a brochure listing the shared pathways and accessibility. It’s a joy to have so many walks to choose

from. The Warners Bay Foreshore is an ideal spot for a picnic with lake views, sculptures dotting the pathway and cafes nearby.

WHERE WE EAT

Our troops get hungry after all the fresh air and full days exploring so it’s lucky the area isn’t short on accessible dining options. Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows is our favourite place to go for its water views, live music, and delicious pizzas. Belmont 16s offers an extensive menu which will cater to even the pickiest of diners and water views. Tides Café & Restaurant at Swansea serves up a pancake stack and eggs perfect for a hearty breakfast to start the day. And as an ice cream- loving family we love Greg and Audrey’s homemade ice cream, retro vibe and the quirky bat phone on the counter. The Toronto waterfront nearby is the ideal place to sit and savour our ice cream.

10 REASONS FOR ROLLIN’ IN NOOSA

Sensory Friendly

Wheelchair Accessible

Images: Tourism and Events Queensland

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is one of the most visited destinations in Australia. But is it accessible? We’ve got the lowdown from a local so you can decide if it’s right for you. WORDS: DANIEL CARROLL

NOOSA MAIN BEACH & BOARDWALK

Our dream of living in subtropical Queensland finally eventuated over 13 years ago. Originally from Melbourne, our family holidayed in Noosa many times before making the permanent move. Like many before us, we fell in love with the low-rise village feel, beaches and surrounding countryside. For travellers with sensory concerns, Noosa exudes a calmer and more laidback vibe than other hectic Queensland destinations. We love the warm summers, but the best time to visit depends on the activities that interest you. Like most popular tourist destinations, Noosa is busy during school holidays, and parking becomes scarce. It is only a 35-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Airport. These are our favourite accessible things to do and see in Noosa:

Noosa Main Beach is one of the few north-facing beaches along our coastline. The gentle waves make it perfect for families with year-round safe swimming. A beach wheelchair is available for use, as there is no beach matting for standard wheelchairs. If required, the surf lifesavers will assist you to the water's edge, but you will need a family member or support worker to take you into the sea. There is accessible parking and toilets at the Noosa Surf Club. The boardwalk is flat and wide, and there are accessible dining options and beachfront accommodations nearby.

02. HASTINGS STREET

Tree-lined Hastings Street offers something for everyone, from thong-wearing beachgoers to those after high-end resorts, restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutique shopping. Many establishments along the street are wheelchair accessible, and access to the beach is adequate. Disability parking spots exist along the road, but during peak periods, you might find it easier to pay for parking behind Hastings Street at Bay Village.

03. CAFÉ LE MONDE

Offering a casual ambience, Café Le Monde is one of Noosa's longest-running restaurants and bars. We love going there for a yummy breakfast after a dip at the beach. It also offers lunch, dinner, live music and late-night drinks. The café has a wheelchair accessible entry and disability parking in proximity.

06 04. NOOSA SURF CLUB

The Noosa Surf Club sits at Main Beach with superb views to the National Park and Noosa North Shore. Recently renovated, it has extensive menus, kids’ meals, plenty of space and excellent wheelchair accessibility, including a toilet. From the Hastings Street pavement, a ramp leads to the entrance which has a lift to the dining and bar area. There is ramp access to the sheltered outdoor space.

05. NOOSA RIVER BOARDWALK

The Noosa River boardwalk, adjacent to trendy Gympie Terrace in Noosaville, stretches for approximately two kilometres. Locals and visitors alike love this area and frequently exercise along the strip. The boardwalk is flat, wide and passes beautiful scenery, accessible toilets, accessible cafes, and water sport activities. For children, the Pirate park is at the western end of the boardwalk and has a wheelchair accessible Liberty Swing.

NOOSA NATIONAL PARK

The Noosa National Park walk is spectacular and accessible from Hastings Street with a wheelchair. It is one of our favourite inclusive activities to do as a family. There are a few hills to overcome, so it does help if someone can assist you. To shorten the distance, you can start the walk from the car park. There are accessible toilets at the car park and along the track opposite Tea Tree Bay, which is our favourite Noosa Beach! The sealed trail ends at Dolphin Point. Without an all-terrain wheelchair, it is challenging to go any further as there are steps and the path is narrower. We lift Morgan in her Hippocampe Wheelchair and continue to Hells Gates, which offers 360-degree views. Afterwards, enjoy a coffee and snack at the National Park cafe.

Images: Tourism and Events Queensland

PELICAN BOAT HIRE

Situated on the Noosa River boardwalk, Pelican Boat Hire offers seamless entry from check-in to boarding the pontoon style boats. These boats are flat, have ramp access, and after a brief introduction, they are easy to drive. A boat licence is not required. Morgan loves motion, and this is a pleasurable activity for the whole family.

08. DAY TRIP TO DOUBLE ISLAND POINT

One of our favourite adventures outside of Noosa is the four-wheel-drive day trip along the ‘Great Beach Drive’ to Double Island Point. Tucked away in the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, this is a must-see for nature lovers and a favourite among Noosa locals. Driving along the sand is exhilarating with the Pacific Ocean on one side and National Park on the other. There is no accommodation and camping is not allowed. Double Island Point has no facilities apart from a food van selling ice creams, drinks, and light snacks, so pack your food and beverages.

09. SEAHAVEN NOOSA – ACCESSIBLE BEACHFRONT ACCOMMODATION Positioned between Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street, SeaHaven offers luxury beachfront accommodation with wheelchair accessibility. Recently renovated, the resort provides underground disability parking, ramps, lifts, and accessible bathrooms. The grounds throughout the hotel are also accessible, including access to the beach boardwalk via the tropical pool area. Management will obtain equipment specific to your needs. Tingirana Noosa is another accessible accommodation option.

10. NOOSA BOATHOUSE

When we dine out as a couple, we look for a restaurant with great food, water views and beautiful sunsets. Noosa Boathouse is our favourite as it is perched right on the Noosa River. The menu features modern Australian cuisine, including local beef and seafood, locally harvested produce, and vegetarian options. Wheelchair accessibility is fantastic, although only on the spacious ground level.

See more of our Rollin Adventures. @rollinadventuresinnoosa @rollinadventures_in_noosa rollinadventures.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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DELTA BUGGY … AN EXCITING AND VERSATILE ADDITION TO OUR RANGE

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Bike Attachment… Can be easily attached behind a bicycle Multi Directional Swivel Wheels… makes the Delta even more highly manoeuvrable. Suggested use... Footpaths,shopping centres, indoors. UV and Insect Mesh Protector… offers protection from the Aussie sun and insects Delta Recline… this has an adjustable back for users that need additional head support.

And

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CAPITAL GAINS

For many Aussies Canberra conjures up memories of schooltime excursions. These days the capital has a myriad of experiences and attractions for travellers of all ages and with a wide range of needs. WORDS: YASMINE GRAY

Hearing Impairment

Sensory Friendly

Wheelchair Accessible

Vision Impairment

anberra is the wonderful city that I’ve called home for nearly 25 years. Often referred to as the Bush Capital because of the abundance of nature close by, Canberra is also famous for its many cultural institutions. Most attractions are family-friendly and suitable for people with different kinds of accessibility needs. I’m a power wheelchair user, but you can always find more accessible experiences in Canberra at getaboutable.com

THE DETAILS

Above: Yasmine and her son at Floriade Canberra Right: Yasmine trying Vertikal

There’s a variety of places to stay across all budgets, with at least 39 offering wheelchair-accessible rooms. You can even stay overnight among the animals at Jamala Wildlife Lodge. You can visit the city year-round. Canberra blossoms in Spring, which is when it holds the annual Floriade festival. Enjoy the dry heat of summer, when people head to Canberra’s outdoor pools, natural waterways and shaded bush tracks. Autumn starts with the Balloon Spectacular and Enlighten Festival and brings glorious colours to the deciduous trees. Canberra gets cold in winter, but provides a great pit stop on the way to Snowy Mountains ski resorts. Public transport (buses and trams), including Canberra’s hop-on hop-off tourism circuit, are wheelchair accessible and have both visual and auditory stop information. Unfortunately, Canberra’s

public transport doesn’t reach some big tourist draw cards. The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Service (WATS) participates in the Taxi Subsidy Scheme and accepts interstate vouchers.

WHAT TO DO IN CANBERRA

I’ve grouped my favourite tourism itineraries by geography, focusing on places with straightforward wheelchair access. Check out these top 5 accessible Canberra precincts: The Parliamentary Triangle Canberra’s ‘Parliamentary Triangle’ refers to the area just south of Lake Burley Griffin from New Parliament House to the Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue bridges. Start by taking a tour of New Parliament House. Compare it to Old Parliament House, home of the Museum of Australian Democracy and a beautiful rose garden. The wheelchair accessible entrance to Old Parliament House is on the left, under the main staircase entrance. Staff are helpful in giving instructions on getting around to see the key parts of the building. Make your way to the National Gallery of Australia, where my favourite exhibits are the Aboriginal Art collections, Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles and the outdoor Sculpture Garden. You can then walk or roll past the High Court to Questacon science museum and National Library.

Lake Burley Griffin The path along Lake Burley Griffin circles the entire lake (34 km). The smaller circuits are perfect for a leisurely weekend stroll and include the Central Basin (5 km, crossing the lake over the Commonwealth and Kings Avenue bridges), the Eastern Basin (9km, from Kings Avenue Bridge to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands), and the Western Basin (from the Commonwealth Bridge to Scrivener Dam). For families, Boundless Playground is near the Carillon on the north side of the lake’s Central Basin. Various monuments line ANZAC Parade to the north of the lake, leading to the interactive exhibits and Wall of Remembrance at the War Memorial. Acton and Black Mountain The National Museum of Australia is on Acton Peninsula. It houses artefacts from 60,000 years of Australian history in a modern waterfront building. The National Botanical Gardens are on the eastern slope of Black Mountain and have a range of wheelchair accessible walks. Nearby is Telstra Tower, which has a wheelchair accessible indoor observation level with expansive 360° views of Canberra. Arboretum and Zoo The National Arboretum was created in the ashes of the 2003 Canberra bushfires and is a stark reminder of how close the fires came to the centre of the city. The Arboretum’s café and playground are worth visiting, as are the expansive grounds which include a National Bonsai Collection. The National Zoo and Aquarium is surprisingly accessible, although it is hilly and covers a large area, so can be quite tiring. Wheelchairs and scooters are available for hire if needed, and there is a great playground on the far end of the zoo that’s worth visiting with children. Cotter Road precinct Start at the renovated historic Mt Stromlo Observatory. There is an accessible barbecue at Cotter Bend and walking track to Cotter Dam. The Cotter Road then turns into Paddy’s River Road, from which you can reach the CSIRO-Tidbinbilla Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex. Its Visitor Centre outlines Australia’s impact on space exploration, including the tracking of the Apollo lunar module. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has many areas with accessible paths, including through the Koala Enclosure. It also loans out a TrailRider for exploring the less accessible trails.

INSIDER TIP

Even in Canberra, not many people know about Vertikal Indoor Snow Sports, on Dairy Road in Fyshwick. Here, you can go skiing or snowboarding on huge (about 5m x 10m) variable incline treadmills. There is even a sit-ski for adaptive skiing, and you can have a wood-fired pizza and hot chocolate or beer after your session

I recommend support workers from HireUp. Mobility Matters and Total Mobility rent and repair mobility equipment.

HAPPY BEACH DAYS

Why beach holidays are a great fit for many families who have a member with autism spectrum disorder. WORDS: SEANA SMITH IMAGES: VIVIENNE DIMMICK & BRONWYN ORSATTI “There is a different feeling at the beach and she’s just so happy. At the beach she can run without knocking things over or running into people. She feels free at the beach.” It has taken trial and error, but Vivienne Dimmick has found that beach holidays work best for her daughter Dorothy, who has autism and cystic fibrosis. And Vivienne is not alone. A holiday on the coast works well for many families who have a member on the autism spectrum. Going to new places and travelling in new ways can be highly stressful for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and for teenagers and adults too. A preference for safe, familiar routines and a distaste for novelty is entirely understandable when sensory reactions are not typical. It is not surprising that the words ‘holiday’ and ‘disaster’ often go side by side, especially before an

Sensory Friendly

Vivienne and family

autism diagnosis has been confirmed. This was certainly the case in my own family, when our oldest son was a baby and a toddler. We would pack up and head off optimistically for weekends in exotic locations, just as my husband and I had done before he was born. Parenting fail! Our son loathed being stuck on our knees in an aeroplane or in his car seat on long drives. He longed to run free and this never went down well with the flight attendants. Once we arrived, bedraggled, at our destinations, he would simply never sleep. We spent many sleepless hours wheeling him around hotel corridors in his stroller. After our son’s autism diagnosis, beach holidays became our regular escape. We stayed at the same house at Jervis Bay for 10 years as the children grew up. Vivienne and her family had similar early holiday disasters, with a plane trip to visit grandparents at Hervey Bay standing out in particular. “Dorothy sat on my knee and she screamed all the way there on the plane,” says Vivienne. “She was red in the face and so distressed. I had taken sticker books and games but nothing worked. Once we got there, she would not leave the house. She did not sleep at night, it was a nightmare.” Nowadays, Vivienne and her family take regular holidays to Pearl Beach, just one hour north of Sydney. They stay at the same house each time. “Pearl Beach is a small village and people are friendly and they know us well now. The sea there is usually calm, though we can find waves at other beaches if we want to.” Staying at the same beach house has been a huge help for Vivienne and her family. She recommends seeking out a property with plenty of space. “If you have a few children, then getting a house with two living areas is best,” Vivienne suggests from experience. “Dorothy watches videos on her iPad in one area, while her twin sister and older brother watch their programs or play games in the other living area. 

Clockwise from top: Dorothy and her twin sister soaking in the sunset at Pearl Beach, Murrays beach at Jervis Bay, an idyllic family summer spot, Lucia and family enjoying the beach at Forster, Sun, sand and sea views, the Smith family arrive at Collingwood Beach, Jervis Bay.

Before you book a place, talk to someone who knows the property well

She feels free at the beach

“The house has a cabin out the back. Sometimes one parent can sleep in the cabin for a guaranteed good night of sleep. Also, friends can stay there, or sometimes we have taken a support worker who has stayed in the cabin.” The familiarity of returning to a favourite destination makes a holiday special for every member of the family. Bronwyn Orsatti, her husband Nick and their children, Marcello, 13, and Lucia, 10, have turned holidays at Forster (on the NSW mid-north coast) into a tradition. Bronwyn went there as a child, and so did her mother before her. “It’s not home, but it feels like home,” says Bronwyn. “There is a lovely, supportive community up there. The kids know it really well and even though they cannot talk, they make their happiness known. Every time they see the bridge into Forster they get so excited. “Forster is a great area because of the Wallis Lake which has pretty calm waters,” she says. “Marcello loves to swim in the water. Lucia likes to paddle and play and dance around on the edge. The local pool is good too. “We also do some bush walking. You can go out on the lake on boats or go kayaking, waterskiing, sailing and dolphin watching. “We belong to the local club up there and it is really family and autism-friendly. There is a great quieter

area upstairs. They are lovely, accepting people there.” Bronwyn has terrific advice for planning your first beach house holiday. “You need to be clear what your criteria are. My kids are absconders so I need to be able to keep them secure in a property. The latest place we stayed at had a good backyard. Under the deck was an enclosed area with hammocks and a pool table. Marcello loved it there. He could have a bit of his own space and he had his sensory needs met there. We could hear him when he was there so it felt safe. “Before you book a place, talk to someone who knows the property well”, Bronwyn suggests. Bronwyn has also found a local support worker in Forster. They were connected via local families who Bronwyn met through online groups and who also have kids with autism. “[Our support worker] is a teacher’s aide at a school. She has spent a few hours with us. An extra pair of hands makes such a difference when you have two children with additional needs, especially at the beach. “One of the advantages of going to a place regularly is that you can build up these relationships.” When it comes to beach holidays, my own family recommends avoiding peak season. This is mainly to escape crowds but also to cut down on costs. We know smaller families who have shared a beach house which is also a more affordable option. Holiday parks in seaside towns can also work well, especially for more sociable children who might find friends with whom to play. With children, and especially with an autism diagnosis, the great pleasures of familiarity can be savoured, creating holidays which are truly relaxing for all members of the family.

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Carol finds her accessible family getaway at Cairns Gold Coast resident Carol Taylor says finding accessible accommodation for her and her family can sometimes feel like “finding a needle in a haystack”. “You can find venues that may accommodate a single person with a disability and their carer, but as a family we always need an interconnecting second room for our son,” Carol said. “I feel like nearly every family trip has involved endless hours browsing the internet to find somewhere to stay.” When Carol was invited to speak at a Cairns Business Women’s Club event earlier in the year to discuss how she balances her life as a mum, wife, lawyer, artist, fashion designer and someone with a spinal cord injury, she jumped at the chance to explore more of Far North Queensland. “I was thrilled to be invited to speak and as my family had never been to Cairns before, we turned the opportunity into a family holiday,” she said. During the trip, Carol and her family stayed at the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre near the Cairns Esplanade, which provides fully accessible accommodation options and services for people with a physical disability.

“I was blown away by the Healthy Living Centre,” she said. “Arriving at our apartment, we were greeted with extra-wide automatic doors, kitchen benches and dining room tables that could be raised or lowered to suit; even the kitchen sink could be moved! “The bedrooms were extra large and easy to move around in and included height-adjustable beds and pressure care mattresses. “Honestly, in the 19 years since sustaining quadriplegia, I’ve never slept on such a comfortable bed - as soon as I returned home, I successfully asked my Occupational Therapist to find me the exact same mattress!” Carol said having such a hassle-free accommodation experience helped her and her family get the most from their stay. “Cairns is such a beautiful and accessible city and the location of the Centre right near the Esplanade couldn’t be better,” she said. “We could have easily stayed another week with how much there is to see and do. “We had such a fantastic experience and cannot wait to return.” Guests to the Healthy Living Centre can

also access allied health services, including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy and more during their stay, as well as request a Personal Support Worker to assist them during their stay. Options are available for participants of the NDIS and other funding schemes, as well as self-funded guests. The Centre also includes an accessible gym, hydrotherapy pool and community café. For more information on the Healthy Living Centre, visit spinalhealthyliving.com.au

THE SPECTACULAR NSW CENTRAL WEST West of the Blue Mountains you’ll find historic towns, farming communities and gourmet delights aplenty. But where do you start exploring this 63,000 square kilometre region? We spoke to local Mel Harrison to get an insider’s perspective. WORDS: SOPHIE CULLEN

Wheelchair Accessible

el Harrison of Sitting Low Reaching High knows the Central West of NSW like the back of her hand. Mostly by car, she has often visited Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow and Katoomba for work over the past 10 years. “I love driving to the mountains. It is a beautiful drive and there are lots of places to stop along the way,” says Mel. “There are so many cute little towns with hidden treasures as well as food, drinks, walks and beautiful views with accessibility!” Mel particularly loves Dubbo and Orange for the independence they afford her when she travels with her wheelchair. “I have met some amazing friends in Dubbo, Orange and various other small towns along the mountains,” she says. “I find that in regional places, people will give you the time of day more.” Mel shared with us her tips and tricks for staying and playing in the Central West. All venues mentioned have wheelchair access tried and tested by Mel herself, including accessible entries, toilets and parking.

1. WHEN TO GO

The best time of the year to go is Autumn and Spring. The weather is generally beautiful - not too hot or cold - which I know can be a consideration for people who have to regulate their body temperature.

2. HOW TO GET THERE

Images: Destination NSW

When I visit the region, I usually drive, although I have flown twice to Dubbo. The drive to Dubbo from Sydney takes about 5 and a half hours, so it’s great to plan the drive with places to stop along the way. Make it a full day trip or take a couple of days to do it.

3. MY FAVOURITE WALKS

It is difficult to find a bushwalk of decent length for independent pushers and also for wheelchair users needing assistance. Govetts Leap walk in Blackheath (Blue Mountains) extends 1.8 kilometres each way in gorgeous

bushland. I highly recommend this walk for its beautiful views and native plants. Tracker Riley is a 4.7-kilometre accessible walk that goes around the Macquarie River and over two bridges. One of the highlights of Dubbo for me is the Dubbo Stampede, an event that generally happens in August every year. They have a wheelchair race that goes for 5.3-kilometres around Dubbo Zoo. It includes quite a long hill, so I suggest wheelchair users either train ahead of the event or use an assistive device like the Smart Drive to make it easier. I did this race two years ago and won! 

Left: Tourists enjoying the views across the Grose Valley at Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath. Above: Govetts Leap track in Blackheath walking with friends

Top: The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath Middle: Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Katoomba Bottom: Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

4. WHERE TO STAY, EAT AND DRINK

The hotels that I recommend are Quest Apartments in Dubbo and Mercure in Orange. I can rate their accommodation with great accessibility, from the bathroom and bedroom, to car parking and places to eat in walking distance. In the cute little town of Milthorpe, I recommend Tonic Restaurant, which is one of the top 10 restaurants in regional NSW. The Hydro Majestic (Medlow Bath) is a great stop for a tea, or if you want to splash out on a high tea or pub meal with an incredible view of the Blue Mountains. I have to say that Mr Lim in Orange is the best Korean and Chinese restaurant I have been to anywhere in Australia. Also, in Orange, OPHIR is a huge, family-oriented pub with a range of food options. It is great for larger gatherings or family groups. Charred Kitchen and Bar in Orange has a gorgeous garden, with lovely tapas food and drinks galore. Every time I go to Dubbo I must have food from Restobar Indian Restaurant. I can’t survive the day without a coffee. I recommend the coffee from Bills Beans in Orange.

5. WHAT TO DO

Images: Destination NSW

My favourite attractions are Dubbo-Western Plains Cultural Centre, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the Cultural Centre in Katoomba. Next time I’m in the area, I plan on visiting Mount Conobalos and Cook Park. I’d also love to camp at Taronga Western Plains. One of the things that also really impressed me in Dubbo was the first ever rehab gym operated by a man who himself lives with a spinal injury. There’s such a sense of community there. Active - On the Move Rehabilition delivers activity-based therapy through innovative and adaptive exercise for people of all types of disability.

Mel Harrison is the founder of Sitting Low Reaching High, through which she offers motivational speaking and education in areas such as adaptive fitness and travel. She also travels Australia extensively as part of her role as a Training Manager. She plans to return to the Central West for pleasure as well as business, as soon as travel opens up a bit more.

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TRAVELLING THE GREAT CENTRAL ROAD FROM WA TO NT

As seasoned caravanners, the Prior family of six from WA have conquered many of the Aussie outback drive routes including the formidable Great Central Road from Western Australia to the Northern Territory.

Image: Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury

WORDS: JENNY PRIOR

warakurna Gwalia perth

docker river yulara

warburton Kalgoorlie

Part of the reason we travel is so that our children have the privilege of seeing our incredible country and to create memories as a family 75

he Priors are no strangers to tricky creek crossings and corrugations. The family of six have conquered many a caravan road trip through their home state of Western Australia and beyond. Their twin girls – Emily, who is a model, actor and disability activist, and Reese, who is an up-andcoming ParaAthlete – both have cerebral palsy. They are all well-versed in tailoring trips to suit their family’s specific needs, which includes their thirst for adventure. “Part of the reason we travel is so that our children have the privilege of seeing our incredible country and to create memories as a family,” says Jen Prior. “We don’t generally stay in the same place twice.” In 2018, the family’s wanderlust saw them tackle the Great Central Road from Western Australia to the Northern Territory. Jen Prior filled us in on the trials

and triumphs of this formidable route and shares her family’s top tricks for travelling in a caravan: We wanted to drive The Great Central Road prior to it being sealed, so planned to head off in December 2018. We travelled from Perth to Yulara and Uluru, then followed on to Coober Pedy, Melbourne, Adelaide and back home to Perth. The highlights were many. We camped under the stars, heard dingoes around the caravan, visited the Giles Weather Station and a ghost town in Gwalia, saw sculptures by artist Antony Gormley on Lake Ballard and so much more. We saw indigenous artworks and counted the rusted old wrecked cars lining the highway, enjoying the time together as a family in an undisturbed arid wilderness. It was amazing, the first glimpse of the large rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) across the land ahead. After seeing nothing but red dirt and desert for

Top: Antony Gormley Sculptures at Lake Ballard Middle: Travelling to Karlu Karlu Bottom: Gwalia Ghost Town - miners huts

Image: ©Tourism Western Australia

days, they seemed to appear out of nowhere. Kata Tjuta was followed by the equally spectacular vision of Uluru rising from the horizon right in front of us. The experience felt both mystical and spiritual. It was hot all the time en route to Uluru. Even at night, clouds blanketed the sky trapping in the heat. We were never so glad as when we arrived at Yulura, plugged into power and turned on our air conditioner! The heat was the only major challenge we faced, along with poor road conditions. There was one 100km section between Warakurna and Docker River that was so corrugated that we had to slow down to about 40km per hour. The car began overheating, so we had to turn off the AC and wind down the windows allowing 45-degree heat to blow straight through the car. Not one of the kids complained! We all enjoyed being together as a family and experiencing the vastness of the Outback. We would love to one day continue along from Yulara across to Winton in Queensland.

JEN’S TOP TIPS FOR THE GREAT CENTRAL ROAD

Image: Tourism NT/Jason Van Miert

The Route The Great Central Road runs for more than 1100km through very remote country from Laverton (about 12 hours north-east of Perth) to Yulara, just outside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The route is the western end of ‘The Outback Highway’ or ‘Australia’s Longest Short Cut’, which links Laverton to Winton, Queensland. When to go We left in mid-December, which was not ideal timing. Roads had been shut due to rain and only opened in the days before we left. The heat reached 45-degrees most days. From Laverton to Uluru, we saw only three other vehicles on the road. The best time to travel to Central Australia is from July to October.

Image: ©Tourism Western Australia

What to pack We chose comfortable clothing that was easy to wash and wear. We brought ‘old’ clothes for the red dirt days and warm gear for the cool nights. Emily’s wheelchair was packed in the caravan along with board games, books, DVD’s, downloaded audiobooks, favourite toys and a journal each. We packed extra fuel, water, vehicle spares and tools, as vehicle services are extremely limited. We spent the months before leaving preparing our 4WD and off-road caravan for the journey. 

Permits We needed a permit for both the WA and NT sections of The Great Central Road, as it passes through Aboriginal Lands. These were free and available online or in Laverton. From memory, the permits give you three days to travel from Yulara to Docker River and three days from the WA border to Laverton. Accommodation When booking accommodation, the only thing we consider is their accessible facilities. As Emily is an ambulant wheelchair user, we don’t always need to use wheelchair accessible bathrooms, so we are less restricted in terms of our accommodation choices. Mostly, we free camped in our caravan using an App called Wiki-Camps, which was a life-saver. It is Australia's largest user-generated database of campgrounds, caravan parks, hostels, points of interest, dump stations, visitor information centres, water taps, toilets and so on. You can download all content and maps before you travel, allowing access in areas with no service.

Camping under the stars

Image: ©Tourism Western Australia

Food For the first part of the journey quick and easy meals were planned for as we stopped overnight only. We had our butcher cryo-vac all of our meat into serving portions for us to freeze. The cupboards were stocked with fresh produce and pantry items. Each night I packed a lunch box for the next day of travel. We have found that avoiding ‘roadhouse’ food and keeping the same diet as at home makes us better travellers and reduces costs. There are very few roadhouses along The Great Central Road to begin with, and having a child with Coeliac Disease means we can never rely on gluten free food being available. We made sure to arrive at roadhouses between 9am and midday (their trading hours) as we didn’t want to be stuck waiting for fuel until the following morning. Medical safety In the middle of the Great Victoria Desert, the only medical services available are those of The Royal Flying Doctor Service. We always pack a comprehensive, advanced Medical First Aid Kit, trying to cover any medical emergency we can think of (within reason). There is no mobile service on the Great Central Road except in Warburton and Warakurna. We took both a Personal Locator Beacon (GPS Spot Tracker) and a Satellite phone in case of emergency. I wouldn’t travel without either of these.

Uluru at Sunrise

The highlights were many. We camped under the stars, heard dingoes around the caravan, visited the Giles Weather Station and a ghost town in Gwalia, saw sculptures by artist Antony Gormley on Lake Ballard and so much more

OUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 Perth – Kalgoorlie

Image: Tourism NT/Kyle Hunter

DAY 2 Kalgoorlie, Menzies, Gwalia, leonora, Laverton – Minnie Creek Road Rest Area (between Cosmo Newbery and Tjukayirla Roadhouse) DAY 3 Minnie Creek Road Rest Area, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Warburton, Warakurna - Giles River Rest Area DAY 4 Giles River Rest Area, Docker River Yulara

Nothing beats getting to ride a rollercoaster right after work! 80

Main: Goofy at the DCP winter formal Right: Cast preview Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, Rachael and Amy at Hollywood Studios

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS

Disney theme parks are renowned for their accessibility and inclusiveness. But what’s it really like? Get the inside scoop from a former Walt Disney World cast member here. WORDS: AMY MARKS

I still remember wearing my cast member name tag for the first time. I couldn't believe that I was living and working in the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World. I was not meant to be a Walt Disney World Cast Member. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia at 18 months old and use forearm crutches and a wheelchair for mobility. But somehow, against these odds, I was living my dream! I have always loved Disney. Growing up, we had VHS tapes of old Mickey Mouse cartoons. I would watch every new Disney movie immediately it was released. I also visited Disneyland a few times. It was one of the first places where I felt independent as a kid, as I was able to ride almost everything. Once, I met a cast member (employee) wearing some Disney pins. Pins at the Disney Parks are a

massive deal. People trade and collect them with cast members feverishly. “I don't know how to get pins, but they're so cool!” I said to the cast member. The next day, the cast member approached me at our hotel holding a bunch of balloons. Attached at the bottom was a pack of pins. I couldn't believe it! I was hooked. Years later, while at uni, I noticed a poster on the wall that read: 'Spend a year Earning, Working and Learning at Walt Disney World Resort’ on a cultural exchange program. After researching the program and putting my application in, I began to feel that there was absolutely no way I could go to Disneyworld. I was still learning how to live out of home, and had never travelled by myself. A few weeks later, when I got an email requesting an interview, I went into a cloud of 

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Wheelchair Accessible Vision Impairment

self-doubt and convinced myself working at Walt Disney World was not possible for me. I decided to study abroad to trial living overseas and spent six weeks at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The experience was extremely difficult but I learned the importance of good friends who helped me turn a rough time into a great one. One day, we skipped class together to go to Disneyland. When I arrived back home, I realised that I had not only survived the six weeks visit but thrived. I immediately re-applied to the program. At the interview, everyone was dressed in the 'Disney Look'. The Disney Look is a dress code for cast members, meaning no funky hair colours, visible tattoos or piercings. I was convinced they'd find a way to not hire me due to my disability, so I didn't bother removing my nose piercing. The first words the recruiter said when I entered the interview were, “Amy, all cast members are expected to abide by the Disney Look”. I quickly realised that the recruiter was not worried about my disability! Two weeks later, an email arrived in my inbox saying I had been accepted. I had less than six weeks to prepare. I started doing intense occupational therapy and sorting out work accommodations with Disney. It was a whirlwind of appointments and forms. I even agreed to use a manual wheelchair to increase my independence while in Florida. The first week on the job was intense, with training shifts often lasting over ten hours. I had two jobs. The first one was scanning tickets as guests entered EPCOT. The other was as a bus greeter, managing the bus stop at the resorts. Every day, I got to create magic for guests and share my love of Disney. There were many challenges, both disability-related and in general. There were also many ‘ups,’ from hanging out at a park with my friends to throwing an impromptu Bus Stop party for a six-year-old during my shift. It was challenging, but I had too much fun to worry. Nothing beats getting to ride a rollercoaster right after work! Above: Seven Dwarves Mine Train Left: Working at the Epcot touchpoints Right: Santa!, Daisy, Workshop with Disney Animator

Amy is a 24-year-old freelance video creative from Melbourne and with an everlasting desire for challenges and new experiences. If she's not working on a new project or binging youtube videos, she is planning her next adventure. You can find her on twitter: @amymarksmywords

Every day I got to create magic for guests and share my love of Disney

TIPS FROM A FORMER WALT DISNEY WORLD CAST MEMBER

01 USE MOBILE ORDER

In the US Disney parks, mobile order is one of the best ways to save time. Once my friends and I were trying to get hot dogs at Casey’s Corner before the fireworks. Casey’s was the closest place for takeaway food to the castle, so the line was incredibly long. My visiting friends panicked about the wait, so we decided to grab a table and order through the 'my Disney experience' app. We were eating within 15 minutes. If you have allergies, the restaurants on the system will display their standard allergy-friendly options on the app. Unfortunately, if you have multiple allergies, you may have to wait in line as the app doesn't allow much customisation.

02 PLAY SORCERERS OF THE MAGIC KINGDOM

If you're visiting the Magic Kingdom, be sure to play the free 'Sorcerers of the

Magic Kingdom’ game. You walk around the park battling villains, using magic cards given to you at the firehouse next to Guest Relations. You can collect one pack and map per day.

03 TRADE PINS WITH CAST MEMBERS

Pin trading is still one of my favourite things to do and is a great way to interact with cast members. If a cast member is wearing pins or next to a pinboard, you can trade up to two pins of your choice. Cast members will always trade with you!

04 ATTEND AN

AFTER-HOURS EVENT

Consider an after-hours event such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom or After Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Most parkgoers consider these ticketed events 'extras' on top of their daily park passes.

For travellers with a disability, I think they are sometimes a better option than a regular park day ticket. You won't be able to enter until early evening, but the park is often open until midnight for these events. You also get access to exclusive entertainment and some free snacks. This is a great way to escape the Florida heat and the crowds, and have a sleep-in without missing out on the rides. Don't forget your costume for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!

05 CHECK OUT THE ONSITE TRANSPORT

All owned by Disney, transportation on the property is wheelchair- and electric scooter or chair friendly. This includes Minnie Vans, Skyliner, Friendship boats and buses. Buses can only accommodate two non-folding wheelchairs per trip, so factor this into your travel time. Go to Guest Relations or a Disney hotel front desk to learn how to book wheelchair-friendly Minnie Vans.

This article is not sponsored or endorsed by Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts or the Walt Disney Company.

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Exploring with a wheelchair made easy It’s been an anxious time for many wheelchair users during the COVID-19 social isolation period. But as restrictions start to ease, we’re fortunate to be able to explore our local sights again. I’ve revisited nearby locations around Sydney that I haven’t been to in years, and others that I’d explored only without a power assist device for my manual wheelchair. With my trusty SmartDrive® in tow, I explored the best of Sydney with fresh eyes.

THE ROCKS When I first started out in a wheelchair, I always heard friends and family rave about Sundays spent wandering through this historical precinct and its bars and restaurants. It’s a shame that the steep laneways and colonial-era cobblestones spell disaster for many self-propelling wheelchair users. With a power assist attachment, I could finally enjoy this corner of the CBD. A FreeWheel® front wheel attachment made short work of rougher terrain. Some restaurants are housed in heritage buildings with a front step up at the entrance. But others, such as the wellknown Munich Brauhaus, are easily accessible in a wheelchair. The famous Rocks Markets are open on weekends from 10am to 5pm and are also accessible along the northern end of George Street. Another reason to visit The Rocks is the recent opening of the Harbour Bridge accessible lift, making Sydney’s biggest landmark finally accessible! The lifts are on Cumberland Street, or on Broughton Street, Kirribilli if you are coming from the north.

NORTH HEAD

Sergei Lazarev

This was a place I hadn’t visited since childhood. The Fairfax Walk is wheelchair accessible thanks to gentle, paved surfaces and accessible parking at the entrance. The path follows a scenic clifftop loop. There are some hilly gradients, so a power assist device meant I could reach the lookout points while keeping my head up and the views in full sight. Don’t forget the binoculars for whale watching and bird watching! The nearby Memorial Walk honours our military history and is accessible via a specially paved pathway. I was craving a good coffee and a light lunch, so the Bella Vista Café perched in between the two walks made a great rest stop. Even with international 1300 WELCAB travel ‘up in | 1300 the air’, 935 having 222 the right equipment means we www.icsar.com.au can still explore our beautiful regions and cities. Visit permobil.com.au/products/manual-wheelchairs www.chairshare.com.au

TAKE IT TO THE TOP! Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is no mean feat. Travel influencer and accessibility advocate Marcela Maranon talks all things Tanzania, ‘trekkers’ (off-road wheelchairs) and why she loves world travel.

Wheelchair Accessible

was born in Peru and now live in the United States. When I was 20 years old, I was in a car accident that left me paralysed from the waist down and caused me to lose my leg. After the accident, I completed a degree in Communications, got involved in adaptive sports and had a daughter. After 10 years as a paraplegic, I was able to walk with an assistive device called a ReWalk Robotics exoskeleton. When I became a global ambassador for the company, I discovered my passion for travel. So far, I have travelled to more than 31 states in America and 16 countries around the world, covering every continent except Australia and Antarctica. I’m the type of solo traveller who likes adventure and going with the flow. I prefer backpacking at a low cost. I am always enthusiastic about meeting new people wherever I land and love to learn about their cultures and customs. I don’t like to over-plan - I just leave with my budget and my crazy self! I have become a travel influencer on social media, where I raise awareness about accessible travel. I like to test wheelchair access in different countries and see what obstacles I face.

THE LURE OF KILIMANJARO

I’m someone who likes to take risks. I never thought Mount Kilimanjaro would be impossible to climb. I thought a lot about the mountain being challenging for someone who has a physical limitation like mine, and decided to begin preparing mentally for the adventure. I was travelling with the non-profit organisation Friends of Access Israel (FAISR) when I first heard that Mount 

Kilimanjaro National Park officials were working on improving its accessibility. The goal was to open the mountain to anyone who dared to climb it, including trekkers with disabilities from all over the world. I had also become friends with the founder of Paratrek trekkers while trekking in Jerusalem during my last visit to Israel. Having Omer Zur along on the trip gave me peace of mind because I had used his trekkers before. FAISR, which fights for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, planned the whole trip for me and all the trekkers. This helped me believe that climbing the tallest free-standing mountain in the world would be possible. I knew I’d be well taken care of. After doing some fundraising, all I had to do was train for the climb, get my visa approved and make sure I brought the proper clothing for the mountain.

THE TEAM

We were a group of 27 trekkers with and without disabilities from Texas, Montana, Israel and New York City. We all climbed the mountain together, with four of us using the Paratrek trekkers. These are off-road wheelchairs designed by Paratrek especially

A highlight of the climb was having my porters sing reggaeton while pushing me up!

Left: Marcela seated in her trekker being pushed by her porters in the Coca Cola route of Mount Kilimanjaro Right: Marcela with Arnon taking a break in the mountain, Marcela and the other four climbers with disability getting ready to depart to climb the summit

for their outdoor adventure trips. It took us seven days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro along the Coca Cola (Marangu) route. There was accessible accommodation along the way at Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut and Kibo Hut. Each of us had a guide and six porters to help us with whatever we needed, which was crucial for our success. This made us a team of over 120 people on the mountain.

Another highlight was having my porters sing reggaeton while pushing me up!

THE CHALLENGES

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a team made my trip better because we were all climbing for the same goal: inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. The main highlight of the trip was when I got to the peak of the mountain with all of the other trekkers, and we congratulated each other with lots of excitement. We were complete strangers before we left for Kilimanjaro, but have now become a family.

Each of us had a guide and six porters to help us with whatever we needed, which was crucial for our success. This made us a team of over 120 people on the mountain.

We all learn something positive from challenging situations. One of the biggest challenges for me during the ascent was being seated for so many hours in a trekker, and putting my trust in porters and guides who had never engaged with people with disabilities before. I lost my independence 95% of the time, as I needed my porters to help with every little thing except for eating, changing and going to the restroom. There were times when I couldn’t use the restroom as needed because there were no accessible ones except when I was in the huts. The cold temperatures were difficult as we couldn’t stop and rest. Looking back, I should have packed more warm clothes. 

We were all climbing for the same goal: inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.

THE FUTURE

My goal is to visit the Seven Wonders of the World. So far I have visited Petra, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza, and the Taj Mahal. My advice to others is to not live life in fear. I understand that travelling with a disability requires a lot of work and planning, but there are agencies that can help you organise a good holiday. If you are new to travelling, I recommend taking short trips first. Then, when you feel comfortable, travel somewhere further. Do not forget to call your airline to let them know you are coming in your wheelchair and that you need an aisle chair for transferring. Always double-check with your hotel about wheelchair-accessible rooms. Enjoy, relax, and know that there are a lot of kind people who would love to help you if you are struggling in a place that lacks wheelchair access. Be a disabled traveller advocate. The more we go out there and show that accessibility needs to improve in all parts of the world, the better for us.

Follow Marcela and learn more about her adventures around the world at @MarceTurnage @thejourneyofabravewoman thejourneyofabravewoman.com

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truly listen to what our customers need and subsequently design tailored lifting, mobility and access solutions that enable more freedom and independence” Para Mobility’s market leading products can be found in a number of Aquatic & Leisure Centres, Gyms, Rehab hospitals nationwide and large venues such as Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Sea World, Commonwealth Games 2018, Wet n Wild Sydney, and the Sydney Children’s Hospital and also in hotels such as the Ritz Carlton & Westin, to name a few.

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supporting consumers in their own home or community, enabling them to take a dip in a pool or spa, take advantage of the feeling of the waves at the beach, to access bathroom facilities in a Shopping Centre or at the movies and get in and out of the front seat of their own car. Farrow notes “The Assistive Technology we manufacture at Para Mobility is specifically designed to support diversely abled people across Australia to access work, health and leisure opportunities and enable big jumps in independence”.

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Hearing Impairment

Vision Impairment

Wheelchair Accessible

Jezza Williams loves to push the limits of adventure. We spoke to him about his not for profit company Making Trax, which connects travellers with inclusive and accessible adventures in New Zealand. WORDS: SOPHIE CULLEN 92

Rafting Buller River Murchison with Ultimate Descents NZ

AKING TRAX

ALL INCLUSIVE BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE

Jezza Williams has an impressive haul of experiences and accomplishments jammed in his travel pack, most likely alongside a skydiving parachute. He’s been an international river guide, ski patroller, canyoning guide, rafting and kayaking specialist and parasailing instructor. Not to mention Jezza’s role as founder and head of Making Trax, a pioneering non-profit that connects travellers with inclusive and accessible adventure experiences in the New Zealand wilderness. Whether it is travelling from London to Mongolia in a Toyota Yaris, or organising a seven-day adventure through class five rapids on an African river, Jezza Williams has been pushing limits his whole life. “I don’t travel because it is easy,” he says. “To ‘adventure’ is to undertake a task without knowing the outcome; it is about learning from doing, about expanding our horizons.” 

Following a severe canyoning accident in Switzerland when he was 35, Jezza had to push the limits even further to get back outdoors doing what he loved. “I went in and I started adapting bits and pieces, including harnesses, so that my body – which is C5 tetraplegic – could actually do all these activities.” He was lucky to have a network of mates, strong resolve and insider knowledge, he says, because upon first looking into the industry there wasn’t much available for someone with tetraplegia. Drawing from years of experience as a river guide, Jezza

started up a website and began running small expeditions for people who inquired. “I’ve always appreciated giving an experience to somebody who hasn’t been able to have that before. Being in this position, I thought – of course! I can open up this industry in a way not many others can because they don’t have the knowledge, they don’t like taking risks or they don’t know the industry as I do.” It wasn’t long before, in 2012, Making Trax was born. The non-profit inclusive tourism organisation operates on four main principles: information; education;

cooperation and adaption if absolutely necessary. When it comes to the ‘information’ side of things, travellers can visit the Making Trax website for an expansive directory of providers who have the Making Trax seal of approval. Jezza has done extensive work reviewing the offerings of these companies, educating them about best practice in adapting to client needs and helping them vet their services for different participants. Jezza emphasises that Making Trax is not a booking agency, but rather a facilitator. “People can organise their own trips,” he

YOU WILL LOSE A PAIR OF SHOES OR YOU’LL WEAR OUT A PAIR OF TYRES, BUT YOU’LL NEVER LOSE AN EXPERIENCE. FREEDOM TO ADVENTURE, THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.

Paragliding Taylors Mistake, Christchurch

says, “but if they need assistance or want information, it is easy for me to give them a few pointers. I’m the link between the company and the client.” Most of the activities, equipment and their providers come personally tested by Jezza. Sea kayaking is a top recommendation of his, especially in Abel Tasman National Park or alongside seals in Kaikoura. “It is a piece of cake because we’ve got harnesses that are fully releasable, very safe and stop abrasion and pressure on your skin,” says Jezza. “I use them myself.”

Other popular choices include rafting, canyon swings, helicopter rides, paragliding and, of course, snow sports with New Zealand’s ‘phenomenal’ adaptive ski programs. “There are so many different experiences that we can provide for clients,” says Jezza. “And if they want to do something that’s not even on [the Making Trax directory], I can organise it.” One experience recently coordinated by Making Trax has turned out to be a particular hit. Jezza’s team has helped fly clients with mobility restrictions in a

helicopter over the Southern Alps and up onto Franz Josef Glacier. “We have a wheelchair that I’ve made with skis on it, which can break down. You just bring the cushion from your wheelchair, then get out onto the ice and experience a freeze in the middle of winter.” The modus operandi of Making Trax is addressing adventure experiences on a case-by-case basis. It recognises that travellers with disabilities know their own bodies and can make their own decisions provided that they, and the companies they use, have the correct information. 

Above and left: Paragliding Taylors Mistake, Christchurch Right: Tasman Glacier, Mt Cook National Park

Making Trax is a pioneer of the ‘inclusive tourism movement’, which Jezza ardently distinguishes from accessible travel. “The difference is that we look at everybody,” he says. “I want anybody off the street to go into an outdoor business and be able to enjoy an experience safely, practically and easily.” The emphasis is not on barriers but rather on being flexible and making things work even if they initially appear inaccessible. Paragliding or skydiving might not be deemed ‘accessible,’ but they are inclusive, Jezza says. That is, they might pose some difficulties for people with disabilities, but that doesn’t mean those people are excluded from participating. In fact, for a keen skydiver with mobility restrictions, all it takes is a harness that holds your knees to your chest. With inclusive tourism in mind, when we

asked Jezza to pick an awesome adventure destination outside of New Zealand, he didn’t skip a beat in naming Nepal. “I’d call it that Kathmandu, Nepal is more inclusive than Christchurch, New Zealand,” he says. “Definitely not as accessible, but more inclusive. You can have a driver who will look after you. You can get guides who are worth their weight in gold. Everything is made possible because of the people who are willing to help.” He also gushes about the diversity of adventure experiences available, ranging from rafting to paragliding and everything in between. “You can go down and check out the jungle, which is 75m above sea level, or you can go right up to Annapurna and into the hills.” When it comes to wilderness and adventure travel, however, there’s no one place that Jezza lauds above all others.

He says it is about “understanding that everywhere you are, there are opportunities. It’s just the way you look at the opportunity.” This is what Jezza and Making Trax does ; offer people an open-minded, solution driven approach to adventure, whether they are seeking one or hoping to provide one. “I realise it is not always easy,” says Jezza, “the thought of doing something you haven’t done before and the anxiety of organising it. You think, why would you?” So, to get to the nitty gritty of inclusive adventure travel, why would you? And why should you? “Because it is a tool, it is an experience, it is a memory,” says Jezza. “[Adventure travel] is a place to push your limits. You will lose a pair of shoes or you’ll wear out a pair of tyres, but you’ll never lose an experience. Freedom to adventure, that’s what it’s all about.”

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Wonsie works wonders It all started 9 years ago, when a friend of Julie O’Donovan needed bodysuits for her 5 year-old son Zac, who has Autism. She needed something that would help prevent Zac from accessing his nappy, but he had outgrown the sizing options available from most brands. Drawing from experience with established Aussie brands and her passion for designing products which make a difference, Julie kickstarted ‘Wonsie’. The Sydney-based garment brand now produces a range of large sized bodysuits which help families across the world. Julie is excited about their newest offering. Wonsie has just introduced at last a full leg length bodysuit with a back zip. You can choose between long-sleeved and sleeveless versions. Wonsie is also shaking up their range with new colour choices. “I am also doing seasonal colours which will bring a bit of excitement to our basic offering, which I know our customers will love.” says Julie. “Red will be available around September in a few of our styles.” Wonsie produces a range of soft cotton garments that are comfortable, breathable and great for preventing undressing and nappy access. The Basic Range is ideal for everyday wear, coming in a variety of sleeve lengths. Back zip styles are designed to deter the serial undresser and can also double as a pyjama at night. Wonsie also boasts tube feeding styles with tummy access. Wonsie bodysuits are available in sizes ranging from toddler to large adult. In fact, Julie has recently received great feedback from adult customers who have successfully used Wonsie products postinjury or post-operation. Wonsie is a registered NDIS provider and has an online form to make ordering simple. Visit the Wonsie website wonsie.com.au to explore the full range of products.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Hoisting made easy SMART 150 HOIST Smart 150 a light, foldable (without tools) and transportable hoist Where do you want to go? Don’t let your hoist hold you back. The Smart 150 can assist you even for the shortest of trips. This foldable patient lifter is small enough to fit in the boot of a small car - such as a Toyota Yaris. So you can take it on a road trip - overnight or for as long as you like. When travel restrictions ease, travel overseas by plane or cruise ship.

COMPACT SMARTNESS

The Molift Smart 150 can be easily wheeled and transported to where it is required. It is designed for home care, travelling and easy storage. The Smart 150 can be folded, stowed and transported by one person without the use of tools. Due to its low weight (25kg), small footprint and clever design Molift Smart 150 is easy to manoeuvre even in narrow spaces. The hoisting range of 270–1680 mm provides an excellent maximum hoisting height and at the same time gets very low. Transfers are possible to and from: the floor, a wheelchair or chair, a bed, a toilet or commode. The 4-point sling bar is standard and guarantees the patient hoist gives a comfortable lifting position for the user with ample space around the head area thereby eliminating any risk of the head bumping into the sling bar or the user swinging side to side. Molift also offer a range of quality slings to assist with a variety of transfer situations, including toileting and showering. With the combination of sling and sling bar, the user will slide into a natural, correct seating position, from lying to sitting and vice versa. The Molift Smart 150 has a lifting weight capacity of 150 kg, making it suitable for many users. It also provides an excellent centre of balance. Travel with a soft case for protection against scratches. Use the hard case for full protection, making it ideal for aircraft stowage. For peace of mind, built-in software calculates when the lifter requires servicing. An emergency stop button is easily accessible, and a manual lowering function can be used in the event of an electrical error. Molift transfer solutions are designed to be the best in class when it comes to product quality, reliability and durability. The Molift Smart 150 has been awarded for Design Excellence by the Norwegian Design Council. Contact Patient Handling to arrange a trial or find your local distributor – call 1300 137 875 or email info@ patienthandling.com.au. Patient Handling are a registered NDIS provider and are following COVID Safe guidelines.

100 Grounded nomads The impact of COVID-19 on those who travel for a living 102 Kids’ picks 104 Virtual travel experiences 106 Tips for COVID-safe travel 108 Top tips for TrailRider fun 109 Directory

Agora in Valencia, Spain @spintheglobe

3 GROUNDED NOMADS

The impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions have hit millions. But what about the people who travel for a living? The ones who live a nomadic life, heading off to another city as if they were ducking out for a loaf of bread. We spoke to 3 nomads who’ve been grounded for most of 2020.

JOHN MORRIS

Before January 2020, John Morris was on the road 365 days a year. After all, when you’re only at your apartment 5 days of every month, it doesn’t make much sense to hold onto it. John Morris is the founder and author of Wheelchair Travel, and also hosts the Accessible Travel Talk Show. Like many others who travel extensively for their profession, his life changed considerably when travel ground to a halt due to COVID-19. We caught up with John and two other USbased nomads, Cory Lee and Sylvia Longmire, to hear about how a global pandemic transformed their 2020 calendars. From voice acting and podcasts to exploring regional destinations, they’re all continuing to indulge their passion for hitting the road. “This is the longest I’ve been grounded since my car accident,” says John, who became a wheelchair user eight years ago and has since documented his travels on his blog, Wheelchair Travel. He may not have new destinations to cover of late, but he is still providing fresh content to his readers. “With this extra time and being in one place for months on end, I’ve been able to put together [a podcast],” says John. “My goal with that is to connect disabled travellers with the industry and also the reverse; connect the industry with experiences of disabled travellers.” His podcast is called The Accessible Talk Show. John considers it a blessing that he has no urgent need to travel and can stay safe at his home base in Florida. Until he can travel again, John has been looking locally for ways to improve accessibility. He has in fact started a consumer advocacy organisation focused on people with disabilities, named the Accessible Travel Advocacy Center.

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CORY LEE

Cory Lee of Curb Free with Cory Lee also had his plans overturned. He has cancelled several trips, including to Belgium, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Japan and a Curb Free group trip to Portugal. “I’ve travelled a lot in the past 6 and a half years since starting my blog,” says Cory. “Now, I’m finally getting to see places that are a bit closer to home. I’m discovering new places that I wouldn’t have seen if the pandemic hadn’t happened. There are still some fun trips to be had.” Based near Atlanta, Georgia, Cory had recently visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and the accessible trails in Shenandoah National Park when we spoke. “I also went to an alpaca farm in north California. I was able to see alpacas all weekend and stay in a cabin. It was such a unique experience and probably not something I would have done pre-pandemic.” Travelling locally has allowed Cory to continue his blog posts, social media channels and Facebook Live. “People enjoy seeing that I’m getting out there and having a little bit of adventure, but being as safe as possible and promoting that,” he says. Cory has also just published his first children’s book, Let’s Explore with Cor Cor, making travel with a wheelchair visible for kids. It was released in July 2020.

SYLIVA LONGMIRE

Sylvia Longmire of Spin the Globe is no stranger to a diversified career. She is an author, blogger, speaker, Air Force veteran, former Ms. Wheelchair USA and an analyst on Mexican drug wars and border security. Since COVID-19 postponed recent travel plans, she has added several feathers to her cap. “Do you know the expression, ‘throw spaghetti on the wall to see if it sticks’?” Sylvia asks. “You just go for it and see if it works out!” Used to travelling for four or five months of the year, Sylvia struggled being confined at home in lockdown. She noticed that a local studio was offering online acting classes. Having connected pre-COVID with a talent agent and producer about developing an accessible travel documentary series, Sylvia reasoned that some acting experience would be useful. Eighteen jobs and a wardrobe home studio later, she now considers voice acting her new “job description.” Lockdown has also given Sylvia the chance to partner with Tik Tok to produce motivational and educational video content about disability and to increase her writing in disability advocacy on platforms such as Medium. They may not be able to leave the USA, but neither Sylvia, Cory nor John have stopped exploring. Anxiously but optimistically waiting for travel to resume, they’re all dreaming and scheming their next projects and destinations! Follow these grounded nomads on Facebook John Morris: @wheelchairtravel

Cory Lee: @CurbFree Sylvia Longmire: @spintheglobeonwheels

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TRAVEL HEALTH & SAFETY DURING COVID WORDS: JULIE JONES

ACCOMMODATION CHOICE

A COVID-free world is what we all hope for in the future, but unfortunately it appears this will take time. If, like our family, you have been isolated for a long time, you’re probably keen to take those first tentative steps to getting back out and about. We travelled recently, and although nervous, we were rejuvenated from getting back to what we love. While travelling we remained hypervigilant and discovered travelling during a pandemic requires additional planning. Here are our top tips.

We choose to stay in self-contained accommodation which gives us greater control over our environment. Although it’s nice to have housekeeping and the frills of a hotel, staying in a cabin or home stay avoids crowded lifts and the risks associated with hotel staff entering the room during our stay.

BOOK AHEAD

Spontaneity is curbed for now with reservations required for cafes, restaurants and attractions. Most businesses direct customers to online reservations but if you’re using a Companion Card for a tourist attraction, phone bookings are often necessary.

HEAD OUTDOORS

Australians are fortunate to live in a country filled with wide-open spaces and our family has been making the most of nature by exploring our national parks and beaches. It’s easy to socially distance and with warmer weather on its way there’s no better reason to spend time outdoors.

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Clockwise from top: Beach fun at Catherine Hill Bay, Mlak key locked bathroom facility, Catherine Hill Bay, West Head Look out Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

CONTACTLESS OPTIONS

We avoid touching items which are used by many people by carrying our own pen for signing in at venues and referring to online menus.

A MLAK KEY HELPS

Using the bathroom before leaving home is a good idea but using a public bathroom is often unavoidable. We carry a MLAK key which opens accessible locked bathroom facilities. These are not used by as many people, hopefully making them more hygienic.

CLEANING & HYGIENE

Antibacterial wipes, hand sanitiser and gloves are packed in our son’s wheelchair for easy access and we wash the wheels and rims of his chair regularly with warm soapy water. Where possible we don’t bring his wheelchair indoors (obviously this is not possible for everyone).

ROAD TRIPS

When road tripping we avoid going into petrol stations by using the BP me app and always wear a glove when using the bowser. A pump pack of hand sanitiser sits in the door of the car for quick hand cleaning before touching the steering wheel. A tablecloth is always packed in the car for road-side stops to use on picnic tables or surfaces where we can’t use antibacterial wipes. We know It’s a lot of extras to think about when accessible travel is already more time consuming but we’re finding the additional precautions are becoming second nature. And the benefits of being out and about again are worth the effort.

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TRAVEL THE WORLD VIRTUALLY

VATICAN MUSEUMS

Look up at Michelangelo’s most famous masterpiece on a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel. The available options are organised by location; click your way through various halls and galleries including the Raphael Room.

Perhaps your travel plans were foiled. Maybe you’re planning and preparing for an overseas adventure down the track. Or you could just be travel lovers like us, looking to curb your wanderlust from the confines of your living room. These virtual tours of bucket-list destinations are ideal if you’re feeling trapped at home or want to know what to expect when you visit the real thing. All you need is the internet and imagination. Unable to visit Europe as planned this year, instead, Kirsty Russell’s family tested virtual tours of the best galleries and museums. Here are her top picks.

JERUSALEM

MORE AWESOME VIRTUAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES 104

Take a walking tour through Jerusalem, complete with voiceovers and labelled highlights including the Western Wall and Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. Samsungvr.com/view/ Wv_0tcndBOG

LOUVRE

This Parisian icon offers different curated, themed virtual tours. The whole family will love discovering the Egyptian Antiquities online (not just the mummies!) and budding history buffs will enjoy exploring the remains of the medieval moat.

ANGKOR WAT

You usually have to compete for sunrise views of Angkor Wat. Have the temple complex to yourself with these 360-degree panoramas. Compatible with VR headset or mouse and computer screen. virtualangkor.com

JAPAN

Japan’s National Tourism Organisation has released a virtual 360-degree film showcasing travel highlights such as bamboo forests and sushi-making demos. visitjapan-europe. jnto.go.jp/en/ experience/vr/

ACROPOLIS

Ancient architecture meets modern technology with 360-degree virtual panoramas of key spots in this Greek site. You can also follow a drone video tour.

TOWER OF LONDON

From the Normans to the Tudors, you can navigate different pinpointed locations on this famous site on the River Thames.

CHILE

Download the free Chile 360 App for images and footage of the South American nation’s top icons, from the Atacama Desert to Easter Island. appchile360.cl

ART GALLERIES

In what can only be described as an art-lover’s heaven, Google has collected top art museums in its Google Arts Collection. Van Gogh Museum, Tate Britain, MoMA and Uffizi Gallery are featured, with images of their best-known pieces. artsandculture.google.com

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

YOUTUBE

Trawl the travel channels of Google Earth has awesome 3D Youtube and you’re sure to virtual tours listings, including find plenty of video tours. 30 major World Heritage sites Virtual Travel is one such (think Stonehenge, Taj Mahal channel, with tours of Petra and Great Pyramids) and 31 and Kruger National Park US National Parks (including (among others) that place you Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand in the driver’s seat. Canyon).earth.google.com youtube.com/virtualtravel

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KIDS PICKS We spoke to 13 year old Emily about her favourite holidays, what challenges she faces when travelling and where she’s excited to visit in the future. Please tell us about your favourite holiday so far? Every year, my Dad’s cousin and his family and my family holiday together. They have three girls a little bit younger than me and we love spending time together. They live in Melbourne, so we only get to see each other once a year. Each year our parents choose somewhere different to travel to. This way we get to explore and experience different cultures. In July 2017, we all went to Vietnam for two weeks. We stayed in Ho Chi Min City, Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An.

What are the challenges you face when you travel? I travel with my wheelchair and I have been really lucky and never had any issues with my chair being damaged. When I travelled through Vietnam, the security in the airports didn’t understand what my Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO’s) were and always wanted me to take them off and try and walk without them. The biggest problem I face when travelling is that paths, roads, and places are not always wheelchair accessible or easy for me to walk on.

What made that holiday so enjoyable? Firstly, I loved it obviously because I got to see my cousins and go overseas. I loved that we visited many historical places and learn all about Vietnam. We did the Cu Chi Tunnel Tour, toured the Mekong Delta River, did a Historical Day Tour to Hue, shopped, visited markets, saw the Japanese Covered Bridge and visited Hoi An’s Old Town. In Da Nang we stayed at the Hyatt and our room opened right up on to Non Nuoc Beach. It had the best pools with a water slide. We had so much fun that sometimes it was hard to leave the hotel and sightsee!

What’s your top travel tip for other kids? I think one of the best things to do is keep a travel diary. So that I can remember my holidays, I always write in a diary each night. I love taking photos, collecting mementos, maps, tickets or anything that I can stick in a travel diary. I try to take lots of photos and make sure that I get people to take photos of me too! Our family always organises a day of exploring and the next day is spent at the hotel relaxing. This way we don’t get sick of sightseeing and we get to sleep in, swim and relax by the hotel pool. I always pack some of my favourite things to keep me occupied and some of my favourite snacks in my carry-on luggage. I always laminate a note about my wheelchair (to handle it with care, that it is my method of travel) in the language of the country I am visiting and attach it to my chair while it is in transit.

Was there anything you didn’t enjoy about that holiday? It was so hot and humid that sometimes I found it made me feel really tired. When I used my wheelchair, it was hard as sometimes the paths weren’t always wheelchair accessible. There was so much traffic (lots of motorbikes and scooters and cars) in Ho Chi Min, that I didn’t feel safe crossing the roads. I didn’t always like the food in Vietnam but I did try everything.

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Right clockwise: Nuoc Non Beach, Cu chi Tunnels, Hoi An Old Town, Exploring the Hotel Ground in Da Nang, Hoi An Markets Quang Nam Province.

Social Media @emilyjprior @emilyjpriorofficial

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to go and why? If I could travel anywhere in the world I would love to go to Paris because I really want to see the Eiffel Tower and visit the Louvre Museum and see all the famous paintings.

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TOP TIPS FOR TRAILRIDER FUN TrailRiders are all-terrain wheelchairs which open up more possibilities when it comes to bush tracks. Julie Jones shares her top tips for tackling trails with a TrailRider 1.

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Typically, TrailRiders are free to borrow from National Parks provided you book in advance. You will need at least two ‘sherpas’ to assist. In NSW, your best bets are booking a TrailRider from Kurnell Visitor Centre to explore Kamay Botany Bay National Park or the Snowy Region Visitor Centre to explore Kosciuszko National Park. The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre also provides one for delving into the rainforest floor. Three hours northwest of Melbourne, the Grampians National Park lends out a TrailRider from Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre. Two of Victoria’s other famously scenic regions – Dandenong Ranges and Wilsons Promontory National Park – also have motorised TrailRiders for hire, as do other Parks Victoria hotspots. Book a week in advance to use the TrailRider from Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre in Tassie. If you miss out, you can always set off on the all-weather, boarded Rainforest Walk. Freycinet and Mount Field also have TrailRiders at their visitors’ centres. Canberra’s Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve – perfect for echidna and platypus spotting – has a TrailRider for use in sections inaccessible in a typical wheelchair.

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without limits

– CREATING CONNECTIONS – NLOC ING OTENTIAL – – GROWING EO LE’S WORLDS –

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GO ANYWHERE!!

This is an all-terrain/ beach wheel chair which will travel easily over all terrains (sand, gravel, snow, mud, grass) and also allows the user water access to the surf, creeks, lakes and rivers. Made of high quality marine grade stainless steel, the Sandcruiser® features multi directional front wheels, four WheelEEZ® low pressure balloon wheels, fully adjustable leg rest and anti-tip breaking system.

Lightweight, rugged and compact when folded this off-road all-terrain 3-wheeler offers access to the great outdoors in a range of sizes for children and adults with mobility problems. The unique multi-position rear axle allows optimum set-up of dynamic stability and balance making the Delta easy to push and maneuver. The Delta Buggy comes in a range of styles, sizes and colours as well as offering a wide variety of accessories and seating supports.

The Hippocampe® all-terrain chair has received numerous awards for its design. It is just at usable on the beach as on the snow, and can be transformed into a ski chair thanks to its front and rear ski kits (as an option). Lightweight, collapsible, and easily transportable: Its small size, fold-down backrest, removable push bar and wheels and its weight of 17kg (37.5 lb.) make it easily transportable and convenient to store in your home or in its transport bag (as an option).

The possibilities are endless.. Phone: 0417 613 566 Email: info@beachwheelsaustralia.com

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Access & freedom Para Mobility specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of disability equipment. Our key Australian made products include: • • • • • •

Swimming Pool Hoists Aquatic Wheelchairs Powered & Manual Change Tables Ceiling Hoists & Tracks Pool Platforms Customised Pool Steps

Phone 1300 444 600 sales@paramobility.com.au www.paramobility.com.au

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2021 M-Series Made for More

Find out more

Sightseeing tours without sight?

#T hatsCocky 1300 657 640 cockyguides.com.au 112

Mable helps to connect people who are seeking support with those looking to provide it. Directory without limits

Find and connect with independent support workers in your area. Mable is the website that’s revolutionising disability support. It lets you search and connect directly with thousands of independent support people around Australia, giving you the control to choose who supports you. So, whether you’re seeking “music” people or “caring” people, “dancing” people or “foodie” people, you’ll find them on Mable. We’re online so it’s easy and affordable; plus you can use your NDIS funding.

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ACCESSIBLE APARTMENTS IN THE HEART OF ADELAIDE • 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom short-stay apartments built with you in mind • State-of-the-art features designed for complete access for ALL abilities • Accessible accommodation like you’ve never experienced before

SEE U SOON 43 Franklin Street Adelaide, SA 5000 1800 247 365 | apartments@ucity.com.au

BOOK ONLINE TODAY! ucity.com.au

AN INNOVATION OF

UNITING COMMUNITIES

Your destination for

health and wellbeing

BOOK NOW!

1300 774 625 spinalhealthyliving.com.au

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Proudly supported by

20316.07.2020

› Short-term, respite and holiday accommodation for people with a physical disability › Fully wheelchair accessible units (1 & 2 bedrooms) › Hydrotherapy Pool and Active Gym › Resident occupational therapist, physiotherapist & exercise physiologist › Specialist personal support staff available.

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Unpack, Unfold and Go 8 models to choose from including NEW Luggie TravelRider Powerchair: • Folds flat for easy loading • Lightweight IATA approved Li-ion batteries • Carrying capacity up to 160 kg • University tested for public transport • Comfortable padded seat • Puncture proof tyres

Online sales & free delivery*

1300 622 633

www.scootersAus.com.au SCA34434_ScootersTravelRider_Adv_Travel_wo_Limits_H110xW177_REVISED.indd 1

*Conditions apply

SCA34434_R

10/6/20 11:15 am

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Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park 1 Dobinson Dr, Swansea NSW 2281

1800 626 438 lakemacholidayparks.com.au

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LET’S LAKE MAC Let’s rethink possibility. Let’s achieve more. Let’s do it together. #LetsLakeMac

LETSLAKEMAC.COM

Exceptional cultural and tourist destination located on the shores of Lake Macquarie

 Award-winning art museum  Stunning lakeside location  Sculpture Park  Licensed Cafe

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Need assistance planning your trip? The Lake Macquarie Visitor Information Centre is here to help!

1800 802 044 visitlakemac.com.au

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228 Pacific Highway, Swansea NSW 2281 We are wheelchair accessible

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13 y/o Jarrah Dignan is a regular benefactor of Livewire - Starlight’s in-hospital and online program for sick teens and their families.

Travel Without Limits #4

Articles inside

Virtual travel experiences

Making Trax

Happy beach days

Discover Lake Macquarie

Riding a wave of success

Take it to the top

Accessible Aussie national parks

Getting it right

Where the magic happens

Bookshelf faves