Cérge

Going into Aquarena, I was a little nervous how it would be perceived me going in to look at the facilities as a support worker trying to see if it was suitable for clients to potentially use. I notified of my intent to come roughly 30 minutes out and received acknowledgement from Aquarena, notified them of my arrival and while waiting while the person who was being served was done, the manager came out to ensure the staff knew to prioritise what was needed by the person who’d sent through from the app. ? The manager walked me around the venue himself showing all of what they have to offer, including some of the best disabled change rooms I’ve seen. On noting their pool chairs wouldn’t be suitable for the client I had in mind, the manager was open to potentially purchasing a suitable pool chair in their future budget that he’s working on, and happy to put practices in place at their cafe and anywhere else necessary to account for if the client was to come in by them-self in their wheelchair or want to complete a transaction them-self where the counters are too high.  Overall, a fantastic experience and a venue I will highly recommend to those looking for a hydrotherapy venue.  This app would be great for a range of people with all sorts of disabilities, especially invisible disabilities and parents. By Frankie – Support Worker

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.

You know those times when you think you have it all under control as a mum and then your kids yell “plot twist!"
That’s exactly what happened for me on Sunday when visiting Nambour Aquatic Centre.
I was prepared, I have two ASD kids so we have used the Cérge app before and it’s fantastic. I have one child who has big emotions and doesn’t like too much stimulation and one who runs
off….. a lot.
Going out gives me anxiety. Huge anxiety. Because not only do I have to manage the “mum load” of making sure they are fed and watered and happy. I also have to account for any change, any situation and pre empt as much as I humanly can.
It’s hard. Very hard.
I showed both children the Visual Story, Photos and Sensory Guide, so we were all prepared with how everything looks and feels. I notified through the Cérge app and let the staff know when we would be arriving and that I have a child that runs and a child that may need space.
We were rocking.
Swimmers, towels, snacks and Cérge and we are set! I actually felt ahead of the game for once.  We arrive at the pool and check in seamlessly, the staff are amazing, helpful, inclusive and friendly. We are excited!  We head for our swim. Well, whatever could go wrong for me did.
One child ran, the other was over stimulated and the emotions were at an all time high. I want eyes on my son near a pool at all moments and I couldn’t find him. Panic mode.
Now, I’m not going to lie and say this never happens. It does. A large part of my life is trying to be the best mum I can possibly be and meet my children’s needs. But sometimes that can’t be met by one person.
We have left places feeling humiliated, shamed, unwelcome and upset and none of these feelings are any I want my children to feel. Today was different though, the staff knew who I was and our needs through Cérge they were able to assist calmly, navigate what we needed quickly and quietly and lead with pure
professionalism. What I noticed was because the staff were exceptional and inclusive the patrons followed suit.
Never, ever, have I experienced this before. They offered a quiet room for my daughter and the facility has a latched gate at the entrance which has supervision also so I knew my son was safer. They loved the slides and my son probably went down a thousand times! Lucky they don’t charge per ride! Wow.
In the past we would leave with hysterical kids and I would cry in the car wondering if I will ever leave the house again. Not today though, today I had a team, today I was part of a village. I was a person trying to get through something hard with extra help and support. Today I didn’t feel like a loser being judged as a failure. That’s a first.  Nambour Aquatic Centre, you are amazing. Thank you.
……..And of course thank you Cérge.
Life changing! Literally

As a Paralympian who has travelled to many parts of the globe I know all about access or lack there of. I am wheelchair user and access to me is very important. I can arrive at a destination and literally not be able to get in and access it. It’s very very frustrating.I know Cérge isn’t about making sure every business is spot on with their access but what Cérge does is gives you all the information on the venue so that you can make an informed decision. This just makes sense. Kinda like being a vegan and looking at a menu before you go to a restaurant to make sure you can eat something.As a Paralympian I have spent my fair share of time in gyms and rec centres. Many, all over the place. Good, bad and ugly.Today I visited Michael Clarke and used the Cérge app to let them know I was on my way and what I required. The staff at the centre were wonderful, they were friendly, helpful, polite and could not have done more for me. I was given a grand tour of their lovely premises and I felt welcomed and very at eased. To be honest I could not rate them highly enough 10/10 for today's visit.My lovely tour guide was Jerson and he was such a lovely friendly person, he made me feel very comfortable, there was no rush and he was happy to take as much time as I needed. He was informative and so very polite and happy.Usually going to a new venue I would feel very nervous because I would have some anxiety that I may not be able to access the centre. I would have million things going around my mind and also hoping I will be treated respectfully.Today after using Cérge and looking at all the information I felt very calm and relaxed, everything about my experience there was amazing.I felt like a VIP from start to finish.Having information before I went to the any new venue and having the staff prepared and welcoming before my visit would make all the difference if Cérge was in places like cafes, restaurants, the theatre! Oh it would be so helpful to my life!Today was really great, as a person who owns a company - "Wheelie Essentials” to help wheelchair users with accessories when travelling I’m certainly not new to understanding the challenges we encounter daily but gee it’s refreshing to have such amazing and innovative technology breaking into the world! How truly exciting!

Last week, one of our support workers and participants used the Cérge app for the first time! Entering in access needs and support information needed to support Carol was quick and easy. Upon arriving they were greeted and a water wheelchair was waiting at the accessible change rooms.Carol is vision impaired and has a physical disability. Carol looks forward to her weekly outing at TRAC but at times her needs are not met with limited access to the bathroom and often Carol needs to wait for the shower commode chair.Through using the Cérge app, Carol was treated as an individual that relies on support to access the community and on arrival everything was ready to go! Thank you Cérge and TRAC for helping our community to achieve its health goals!Support Your Way recommends checking out the Cérge app & TRAC! Join the Cérge Community and find out more!

As a speaker at this years AITCAP conference I already have a few nerves. I’m excited though and so grateful for the opportunity.

As a person with disability arriving at a new venue can be anxiety inducing enough. I use a wheelchair so step free entrances are something I look for, wider doorways, access to the car park.

The list goes on.

So when going to a venue for the first time, it can be really difficult and time consuming to find all the information I need just to access a venue and its facilities. One major component is seating, will there be a space for my wheelchair, will there be a space near the front now that I’m a speaker in the day.

This year the AITCAP conference have upped their game amazingly, they use the Cérge Companion site which has a visual story, up to date photos of all the areas, plus a list of sounds at each part of the venue. There is also reference to the car parking, each room and where they accessible carparks are so I know how to get to the venue with ease. This site has reduced so much anxiety for me because it feels alas if I’ve already been to the venue.

I also used the Cérge app to notify the venue on my arrival. Arriving at the venue I was greeted by Chris and given everything I needed for the day in regards to where registration is and the room I’m speaking in. I felt so welcomed and it really added to my confidence for the day ahead and getting on stage! Eek!

I am so happy the AITCAP conference have gone above and beyond with access and inclusion this year. I haven’t actually experienced that through type of inclusion previously and given the type of conference it is its great to see them leading the way alongside Cérge!
Makes me excited for the Paralympics in 2032 hahahaha

Here’s to a great day ahead!