Cérge

I have osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones) which can make it hard for me with exercising. My bones can break easily and I can be in a lot of pain. Swimming and low impact are really the best choices for me. I use a wheelchair and would need assistance getting in and out of the pool. My carer and I visited Eltham Leisure Centre We used the Cérge app to let the staff know we were arriving in an hour and that we were looking at the pool and would like a tour of the facilities. I wanted to see if I felt comfortable before promising to swim. It’s been a while since I got in a pool, so I had a little anxiety. With the new Cèrge app where I was able to notify staff at Eltham Leisure Centre that we were coming before we got there. This will be helpful in the future as I can request a quieter place, a separate lane if possible and assistance. Sometimes the thought of getting to a place and not having supportive staff is a barrier in itself. I have my support worker which is fantastic, and she is great but having staff that don’t really know how to help can be very awkward. I’m glad I can use the app to tell the staff exactly what I need. It takes the weirdness out of watching them work out how to help, whether to help or sometimes people just don’t help. Can you imagine dropping a leaflet and no one helps you pick it up? It’s embarrassing and annoying! When we arrived, the staff were happy and helpful, we were greeted at the front and the staff member organised another lady to give us a tour of the centre. They have 4 pools, Baby, Small heated pool for swimming lessons, Hydrotherapy pool (has a ramp), and a 25m lap pool (has a ramp). All at different temperatures. Toilet and changerooms on pool deck which is very handy. They had an Aqua class going at the time we went, and it was full even being so early. It is great to see the place getting used and lots happening. The staff member gave us a leaflet which had all the timetables for all the classes, and she also put all the prices on the leaflet for me. Of course, after all exercise there is a coffee shopping. Perfect end to the day! The Cérge app is a fantastic tool to be able to ask for specific things, we know now we can ask for a quieter space or lane if we need that on the day or to let them know we are coming but that we are ok. I will be looking out for more Cèrge facilities. Please tell them your needs before you get there which is very useful and makes you feel a lot more comfortable getting out and trying new things.

"As I have hereditary nerve deafness I would normally feel a little bit anxious about going to a brand new venue. I would normally feel frustrated if there was a communication barrier, or hopeless at having to rely on my husband to communicate for me.I have a two year old who is also Hard of Hearing and I want her to be able to learn how to communicate and see inclusion not frustration.In past experiences, if the first person I deal with has a thick accent, I can be there for ages with us trying to work each other out. It’s time consuming, frustrating and sometimes embarrassing for us both. I had put in my “Must Know” that I needed the customer service person to not have an accent please.When I arrived the first person who served me had an accent. I pointed to the sign and said Cérge app, and he immediately grabbed the Manager as they knew I was arriving and that was their plan.Other times, I normally just divert to my husband and let him talk for me which is irritating and not sustainable long term as I want to be able to communicate for myself.When we arrived at Stromlo Leisure Centre, the Manager, Bianca looked after us. She spoke clearly to me, introduced herself, showed us where to go, and went through what the different pools were.It was such a nice feeling to feel like we were looked after and not a bother. We were able to get what we needed seamlessly. Bianca was professional and kind.We would certainly normally visit these kinds of venues as we do take our daughter to swimming lessons and as mentioned above, if there is a communication barrier, I let my husband talk for the both of us instead.If Cérge was more available, it would certainly make things easier for our family, especially in areas where it's normally a noisy environment.We had a wonderful time at Stromlo and it is a great place, so many things to do! I felt quite happy leaving and would happily drive out of our way to come here again for the simple fact I felt included.I would love for Cérge to be in some local Canberra cafes, even the local clubs (Vikings, Southern Cross Club, etc) that would make so much difference to me and my friends Looking forward to our next visit!"

I thought my love for basketball was gone forever, I thought we had our time & now we were over for good. I haven’t played basketball for 6 years, it’s like losing so much of my identity, a part of myself.I’m a huge fan of sport but I have anxiety & depression, I like to live alone and I like quiet places. Quiet places & sport don’t always go together that well, so for the past few years anxiety wins & I haven’t been able to immerse myself in sport like in the past.I know playing again would help. I just can’t get to the point of where it can help me because my barriers aren’t in playing the sport. My barriers are leaving the house.Whenever I have to go somewhere, my mind pretends like I am already there & starts having different conversations.So many voices & thoughts all telling me different scenarios & that makes it hard for me to concentrate. When I reach the place where I know it will be busy my heart starts beating fast, I feel alot of anxiety & discomfort & my brain get frozen.All I can think of is bad situations. Bad outcomes. Bad scenarios. It’s exhausting.I am scared people are going to make fun of me & won’t talk to me & it loops around & around. When I go in there & I am not comfortable I start feeling anxious & uneasy & feel like running away. Fight or flight kicks in & it can really take over my life.I heard about Cérge & at first wasn’t sure it could help me. I didn’t want to make a big deal or draw attention to myself but I noticed Eagle Stadium was on the app & they have basketball. I love ball.It took me a while to work up the courage to go to check it out. I looked at the Visual Story & Sensory Guide & went through all the stuff on the app. I knew if I could prepare my brain for what it would see by looking at all the photos, then when I get there it would be like what I have already seen & it would hack my brain to feel more at ease.The survival tips and processes of anxiety & depression are very real & often very unnoticed.After a few months I finally felt ready. I had all the information and all the visuals. I used the app to let customer service know I was going and used the Cérge chat in the app also for support.Arriving at Eagle Stadium & going to the courts felt like home, I could not look away. The smell of the court, the squeak of the ball. My body remembered & it felt like home. The staff were so welcoming and kind & gave me a timetable and spoke to me about what was on and when.Hearing the bounce, the ball, the cheers, the thumping as people ran up & down the courts. I need to be back. I am so coming back.I left with desire & a plan! The staff gave me details of who organise teams so I can play in a team & I also asked about tennis because I would love to play tennis. Buts that’s the next story!
 

Hey Cèrge,I would like to say a big thank you for inviting me to be apart of this app and community. Today was my first time visiting the Tewantin RSL for lunch, the staff are amazing so helpful and friendly they made me feel welcome and the food was so good I will give them a 10/10#rsl #hospitality #inclusion #customerservice Tewantin Noosa RSL Noosa Shire Council #brisbane2032 #accessibletourism

Today I took my friends son, Jacob, who has Autism and ADHD to Yawa Aquatic Centre.
  
I knew Cérge had recently launched there and I had used Cérge before so felt very safe to use it again at Yawa.
  
Taking Jacob was exciting, daunting and also something I really wanted to do for him. He can get very overwhelmed in areas of high stimulation and lots of people and if he doesn’t have something to focus on.
  
This can result in it being hard to get through to him when we need him to follow directions to complete tasks before our fun activities, whatever they may be that day.
  
We used the Cérge Visual Story and Access Guide to show Jacob the place and he was able to see pictures of where we were going and what he may feel, hear and see. Sooooooo helpful!
  
Arriving at Yawa we were greeted by happy and amazing staff. I’d sent the notification through the Cérge app and let them know when we were arriving and that we needed to get through the reception area and into the pool as quickly as possible for the kids.
  
The staff didn’t treat the kids any different, which was fantastic, we felt welcomed and were gotten through the payment process quickly and got into the change rooms and pool before we knew it!
  
We had a fantastic time and it was so good seeing Jacob smile and enjoy himself! I took my daughter too and she also had a ball.
  
It was really amazing.
  
On the way out, someone had accidentally hit my car. This was a bit of bad luck and it sucked. I was feeling stressed as I had to manage two kids, get the details of the driver, insurance ahhhhhhhh!!!
  
The benefit was though that the staff knew we had to get organised and details etc quickly due to the kids. So the amazing service extended out to even help me with this. They truly helped me!
  
They went above and beyond and I was so pleased!!
  
I felt no shame or worry that they were going to judge the kids, it was so freeing!!!
  
Thank you! Jacob will be back!!

My life story is a long one and I don’t need to go into all the details, but I have been diabetic from aged 7. I had a sub arachnid haemorrhage (SAH) two years ago. I have an ABI which caused a stroke and I still don't have full mobility. Because of this I tire quickly when walking. I'm immune suppressed from a double transplant of kidney and pancreas therefore I get anxiety with big crowds. I won’t even start with the 3 emergency c sections. That’s for another day! Due to my immunity choosing adventures outside is always good for me, fresh air is a good medicine and less germs. However,I need to plan my days around my mobility and the access to a venue. I use a walker at times, big days I use my wheelchair. I make the most out of life and enjoy trying new things. It can just be exhausting trying to plan for support workers, access, people staring, people assuming. I also have trouble finding the right words and need people not to slowly talk to me like I’m stupid but also not talk at me at a million miles an hour. Just please have a conversation with me and give me a chance to respond. The world can be so fast and especially when trying to process new information. I saw the social media stories about Cérge and wasn’t sure whether it was for me. I checked it out online and asked some questions to get clarity from the Cérge team. I don’t like to stand out but I do like to get involved in life. I liked that Cérge seemed like a wide variety of people were using it and that you could literally just access the information and go about your day. I like that I’m in control. A support worker is completely different to using Cérge.Using Cérge is like being able to support myself fully because I have the information before I go and then use support for the things I’ve already decided I’d like to do not the other way around. I browsed through the different venues and started to feel very excited, there is an access guide and visual story plus a virtual tour. I get more information about the venue online than even being at the venue itself and missing stuff hahah I chose to visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. What a day. Wow! I find it really hard when ppl look at you and see the disability and treat you different. Here I didn't feel that. I felt like everyone else enjoying the animals and the nature. Oh the nature! I saw so many koalas, saw a Tassie devil growl…. And yawn. They aren’t terrifying at all! Hehe I got to feed kangaroos and wallabies. The paths are awesome, heaps of tables for me to wheel up to! We’re cruising along and I saw the dingos being walked. I got to get up close and personal as the handler said it was good training for them to be around wheelchairs. The encounter with the Dingo was pure timing and chance. My lucky day :) Cérge, thank you! Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, thank you. I am so full of adventure and life and feel excited about all the venues I can now try out and add to my life and LIVING! YES!