People with disability

1. Overview

COVID-19 information for people with disability

Find information for people with disability and families about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) by clicking the links below.

The information is available in an easy to read and visual format for people with disability. 

Find out more

People with Disability Australia COVID-19 Hub of Disability-Focused Information

Activ Coronavirus Hub

Disability Information Helpline

The Disability Information Helpline is available for people with disability who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Helpline can help families, carers, support workers and services, too.

The Helpline is free, private and fact-checked.

People can contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 to talk about their concerns in relation to COVID-19. For example, people can call the Helpline if their support worker has not turned up or their provider has stopped services; or if it’s hard to get essential items like food or medications.

The Helpline can provide information, and refer people to advocacy, counselling and other supports.

The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays.

For more information, visit www.dss.gov.au/disabilityhelp.

Trauma-informed counselling is available to help people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation.

The National Counselling and Referral Service, which was established to support the Disability Royal Commission, will continue to offer emotional support to people with disability, their families and carers.

This service is delivered by Blue Knot Foundation. It is available for people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and anyone affected by the Disability Royal Commission.

This service is free, independent and confidential. It is available over the telephone and online, and a video conference can be arranged where needed. Referrals to advocacy and long-term counsellors can be arranged as well.

Contacting the service does not mean someone has to make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission.

Call the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468 or 02 6146 1468 (9am to 6pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm weekends). If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, phone the National Relay Service on 133 677.

For more information, visit dss.gov.au/disability-royal-commission-support.

The Town of Cambridge is committed to creating a sense of belonging for all community members, including people with disability, their families and carers.

The Town is working to ensure people with disability have improved access and inclusion to quality services and facilities and will continue to implement the actions in our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2019–22(PDF, 14MB)  to achieve this. 

2. Sportslink

Sport and recreation is a positive part of all of our lives and the Town supports programs which allow people with disability to get involved. Sportslink is a program that aims to develop motor skills and confidence of school-aged children with disabilities, so they can enjoy group sports.

Developed by Inclusion WA, children work with coaches in a positive environment to learn new skills, build friendships and have fun! 

All participants need to do is bring a water bottle and wear suitable clothing and shoes.

3. Home and Community Care Services 

From 1 July 2018 the Town no longer provides Home and Community Care (HACC) Services. If residents are 65 and under they can refer to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

To find out more contact NDIS on 1800 800 110 or visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/. 

4. Individual Disability Advocacy Service

Sussex Street Community Law Service provides an advocacy service to people with disability, their family and carers.

In partnership with UnitingCare West, Sussex Street is an independent, free and confidential advocacy service to people living in the Town of Cambridge.

The service is supported by the Town of Cambridge and delivered at the Wembley Community Centre.

For more information please visit the Sussex Street website.

5. Access to Town facilities including Beach Access

Cambridge Library

Cambridge Library is fully accessible for visitors with wheelchairs, gophers or prams. Our extensive library collection also houses many large print and audio books including some on the Town's local history.

The library offers a home delivery service to members who are unable to access the library due to disability or illness, or to a carer who needs assistance.

Visit the Library

Bold Park Aquatic

Bold Park Aquatic is an accessible and inclusive aquatic centre, designed for people of all abilities.

Whether you're recovering from injury, are interested in active ageing, or are a person with a permanent disability our facilities and programs offer something for everyone.

Visit Bold Park Aquatic

City Beach

During the summer months, Mobi-mats beach matting is in place at City Beach and a Sandcruiser beach wheelchair and an all terrain rollator are available for hire.

 

Each year, the matting is available from November through to March, depending on weather conditions.

For summer 2022/2023, the mats will be installed near the south and north groynes. Wheelchair users will be able try the matting in their own wheelchair or alternatively hire the Sandcruiser beach wheelchair or All Terrain Rollator to access the entire beach.

Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair

The Sandcruiser beach wheelchair is designed specifically for use on soft sand and up to the water’s edge. The wheelchair is not a floating wheelchair and care should be taken when used close to the water’s edge. The Sandcruiser is NOT a self-propelled wheelchair and the user will need to have two support persons for assistance. The beach wheelchair is available for loan free of charge via SpacetoCo, however booking in advance is essential to avoid disappointment.

All Terrain Rollator

A beach rollator is now available for free hire at City Beach to provide more access for everyone across the community. Bookings for hire of this free resource provided by the Town are now available via SpacetoCo

 

How to Book

The Sandcruiser beach wheelchair and All Terrain Rollator are available for hire daily, during beach patrolled season from November to March, between 7.00am and 4.00pm.

The wheelchair and the rollator can be hired for up two hours per booking, to ensure greater access to all potential hirers.

People who use the wheelchair and/or the rollator do so at their own risk and the Town cannot be held liable for any incident which occurs while it is in the charge of a third party. It is the responsibility of the user and/or support persons to ensure they have read and understood the following Safety Guide(PDF, 1MB) information before use.

You will receive a booking confirmation email, including the one-time code for the beach wheelchair locker, which will allow you to access the wheelchair.

Book the Beach Wheelchair

Book the All Terrain Rollator

Further Information

For more information about the beach matting and wheelchair or to report a fault / damage, please contact: Town of Cambridge Tel: 9347 6000 Email: mail@cambridge.wa.gov.au

6. ACROD Parking Permits

For information on how to obtain and display ACROD Parking Permits please visit the ACROD Permits page.

7. National Disability Insurance Scheme

What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federal government-funded scheme which provides financial support to people with an intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive (such as defective short-term memory) or psychosocial (arising as a result of a mental health condition) disability, as well as early intervention supports for children with developmental delay.

The scheme helps people with disability to access the support that’s right for them as well as assisting in building their skills to actively participate in their community.

Individuals with NDIS funding primarily deal with Local Area Coordinators (LACs), Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) co-ordinators, or NDIA planners who help participants access, understand and navigate the new system, and create, implement and review their plan. Participants can find LACs, ECEIs and NDIA planners in their area using the search tool on the NDIS website.

To check your eligibility or to find out more information, visit the NDIS website.   

8. NDIS Partners Servicing Town of Cambridge

NDIS has appointed the following partners to deliver NDIS for the Central North Metro which services the Town:

Wanslea Family Services (0-6 years)

Wanslea Family Services is the National Disability Insurance Agency partner that delivers Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) support to children aged 0-6 years who have a developmental delay or disability.

Early intervention is important to ensure children with developmental delay or disability have the best start in life.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, then ECEI can help you to get information and access to supports. You and other caregivers will be provided with ways to help your child develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life.

For further information:

Phone: 1300 969 645 or email:ndis@wanslea.asn.au

Website: https://www.wanslea.asn.au/children-and-family/early-intervention-ecei/

Mission Australia (7- 65 years)

Mission Australia is the NDIS partner delivering Local Area Coordination (LAC) Service for people aged 7 to 65 years who have a permanent and/or significant disability as defined under the Disability services Act 2011.

The LAC can assist with understanding and accessing the NDIS, creating, implementing and reviewing your NDIS support plan and linking you to information and support in your community.

For Further information:

Phone: 1800 370 776

Website:  www.missionaustralia.com.au

9. Counselling and advocacy support for people with disability

The Department of Social Services provide counselling and advocacy services for people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation; and anyone affected by the Disability Royal Commission.

• Counselling and advocacy support is free, independent and confidential.
• A counsellor can support people to talk about their feelings and emotions in a safe space.
• An advocate can help people to tell their story, protect their rights and access other supports.
• A support person can help people make choices about engaging with the Disability Royal Commission.
• Culturally appropriate support is also available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability and their families.

People can contact the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468 for counselling support, or ask to be connected to a counsellor or advocate near them.

Would you like to help raise awareness so people can get the support they need?

Download the communication toolkit(PDF, 1MB)

For more information, including Easy Read and Auslan resources, and to download digital resources and images, visit dss.gov.au/disability-royal-commission-support.

10. Starfish Nippers Program

The Floreat Surf Life Saving Club are pleased to be running the Starfish Nippers Program.

The program is aimed at providing children and young people with a disability with the opportunity to participate in a nippers program. It offers beach safety and awareness in a fun and safe environment.

Find out more

11. Autism Resources

The Autism Parents' Handbook is the ultimate book for parents and carers of children with ASD, in Western Australia providing a detailed guide of the services and support available. The author of this handbook Heidi Brandis has a child with ASD and is sharing the updated resource in hopes to save parents valuable time.

The handbook covers everything from getting a ASD diagnosis to technology, driving and sensory resources. The handbook also outlines support and services available across regional WA and also provides information on funding, respite and advocacy.

Download the free Autism Parents' Handbook(PDF, 4MB)

Thanks to Developmental Disability WA and author Heidi Brandis for sharing this resource with the Town of Cambridge.

12. Have your say

If you would like to provide the Town with any feedback regarding disability, access and inclusion please Submit Feedback here