Monday saw the launch of a brand new set of Access Keys at Vision Australia, Ringwood - which is conveniently located right next to the Eastland Shopping Centre.
The Access Keys provide our clients with seven unique paths to get to the new Vision Australia location from several different points of interest including the nearby train station, as well as the Eastland Shopping Centre.
Designed in collaboration with Access Ability Australia, the keys have been built from the ground up to be completely accessible, either in digital format from the Access Ability website, or in large print or braille with step-by-step instructions.
The Access Keys were first conceived as a way to make the transition from the old Boronia office to the new Ringwood location easier for Vision Australia clients.
Image shows (from left to right) O&M Specialist Cath, Judy O'Connor, co-founder of AAA, Paul Warwick, Regional Business Manager for Vision Australia, Maxine Parker, co-founder of AAA, and Naomi smiling at the camera at the launch even for the Access Keys.
Paul Warwick, Vision Australia’s regional business manager for North East and Outer Eastern Melbourne elaborates on why these Access Keys are such a necessity:
“Over such a long period of time our clients had become very comfortable with getting to Boronia for their services, so the move to the new site in Ringwood represented a major change for them.”
The clients present at the launch were invited to try out the Access Keys for themselves. Wanda shared her feedback:
“I found the Access Keys to be great. As a braille user, I can independently find my way from the train station to Vision Australia’s office here in Ringwood.”
Image shows Vision Australia clients Wanda and Alan being given an example of one of the Access Keys from O&M Specialist Cath.
Cath, an orientation and mobility specialist with Vision Australia played an integral role in the development of the Access Keys. She gave us her thoughts on why they are so vital:
“I think the most exciting aspect is that these keys give our clients an extra level of information to increase their confidence and their independence. In fact, a couple of clients who’ve not been here independently before have been able to use the keys to get an idea of where to go to go onwards to various places.”
The Access Keys can be found at https://accessabilityaustralia.com/access-keys-2/