Cérge

Heidi greeted me with a huge wave as I arrived and I felt a sigh of relief leave my body. It was like I was running into an old friend.  She smiled and grabbed the medications I required.She faced me whilst talking which was my request so that I could lip read. She asked me to teach her some signs and I did, even though I’m a bit rusty myself hehe! Not everyone signs and not everyone lip reads either. I was so scared, I felt a bit raw and vulnerable walking in. I didn’t want a fuss or to feel like a bother like I have so many times before. It was a lot of trust to put into the Cérge app and I wasn’t sure it would truly help. I have to say though I am very surprised. I left Amcal Wilsonton feeling like my friend had just served me and honestly, truly cared. What a difference. It’s one of those things, I didn’t know how much I missed feeling “normal”, how much I craved just feeling like a regular customer who is heard and seen. Thank you Cérge, thank you Amcal Wilsonton, I’m telling all my friends! Incredible.

When people don’t try and communicate and can’t be bothered it makes me feel uncomfortable, unimportant and small. Just because I can’t hear doesn’t mean I should be treated differently.  Today I arrived at Huntly Aquatic using the Cérge App. I am a Deaf woman and communicate via sign and lip reading mostly. I often have communication struggles and a lot of people do not use sign language or it takes them a while to realise I am Deaf and that I need to communicate differently than what they may have assumed.  However today, at Huntly Aquatic I was greeted by two staff members who were very pleasant and kind. I will be honest I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what it would be like or if there would be a communication breakdown. I had put my information into the app so I knew they were aware which I think helped both sides prepare.  When I arrived we spoke together for about 5 mins, we used a range of gestures, writing and typing on the phone which is fine. I liked that they were enthusiastic to do their best to communicate with me and it didn’t feel like a bother.  We enjoyed having a chat :) I was able to find out everything I needed to know about the venue and the locations of all 3 pools. They have a kids areas too which was great because now I shall return with my kids and have a great family inclusive day out.  Being a Deaf person  sometimes I experience people thinking I have a low intelligence or that I won’t understand them. This is a really damaging assumption as I am a smart woman and live a great life, I just can’t hear. I am really mindful of not wanting my kids to experience or witness discrimination as I went them to have a great experience in the world and see all people as equals.  I really enjoyed using the Cérge app, I had heard good things about it from a friend who used it in Auckland and so I was happy to give it a go!

I’m a local Disability Support Worker. I heard about Cérge and 
wanted to see how it would work for some participants within our 
organisation. I was really keen to see if having a business know 
what the person may need before we arrive would streamline the 
process and remove any awkwardness and waiting.
I was excited to see the different venues available from cafes to 
tourist type of venues to local supermarkets. I was keen to pick an 
“everyday” type of business as I know this would help a lot of 
people if they could be independant to shop alone or with 
support but driving the experience themselves. That would be 
very impactful for them.
When I arrived Donna showed me where the toilet was located. A 
nice added extra to customer service because we all know as a 
parent someone is going to need the toilet as soon as we arrive 
somewhere.
Kate greeted me out front and showed me through the store. A 
fabulous store and so many yummy items!
I listed that I needed bread and milk. I was shown to these 
locations whilst also being shown other areas and staff who 
service those areas. It was a wonderful tour and I didn’t expect 
such amazing service. Obviously I wouldn’t need this all the time 
but for my first time and planning for possibly taking participants I 
was very happy.
I noticed how clean and spacious the store was which would be 
fabulous for my clients who have walking aids. Not to mention if 
they are immunosuppressedI was told by Kate that if I had a participant who had sensory 
issues, to put it into the app and the music and lights can be 
turned down.
What!!!
That is incredible and truly felt so inclusive! Nothing was too much 
trouble. It felt like everyone was welcome, which doesn’t always 
happen.
If I had participant in a wheelchair, i can mention in the Cérge app 
they said they can make sure aisles would not be obstructed. I’m 
so blown away :) this two way communication is world first and so 
unbelievable.
The staff at Forest Glen IGA were very helpful and informative. 
This is just fabulous for when I am pre planning a visit to anywhere 
that uses Cerge with a participant to be able to make sure their 
needs are met.

My daughter is ASD and can be so over stimulated in 
environments like this.
Oh wow, they could help us.
I would be able to share the Visual Story to prepare her and then 
use the app to let staff know how we were travelling.

Funny how as parents we just trudge along doing everything and 
sometimes don’t ever consider how life could be a bit easier.
If I could shop with my daughter with some back up angels that 
changes my life!
Wow.
YES!

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!!

I use a mobility scooter for all of my outings so it is vitally important that I have access to information about different places. I can’t tell you the amount of times I get caught where I can’t access a grocery aisle, a corner store, a clothing store or a chemist. Things like the size of the aisles, the doorways can all mean I can’t access them. Not to mention not being able to reach things on shelves. My partner is also my carer and so when I heard about Cérge we had a chat and decided to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t like to make a bother for people, I just want to be able to access the places I need and want to enjoy my life. Seeing Mudgereeba Aquatic Centre on the Cérge website was great, so close to me and a place I wanted to visit for hydrotherapy. My partner and I sat and looked through the Visual Story and Access Guide to make sure I was, 1. Find suitable parking 2. Able to get inside from the carpark 3. Get in the doorway 4. Have somewhere I can get changed 5. Get into the pool 6. Water at a temp that is ok for my hydrotherapy 7. Enjoy myself with minimal anxiety After looking through the tools I felt happy and equipped with the information to be able to attend. Abby was the staff member who greeted me when I arrived and she was so welcoming and helpful. She was a breath of fresh air and had the whole situation under control and we felt very at ease. I use pool noodles and enjoyed such a great swim. You need to take your own equipment to the pool which is pretty standard. We felt very accomplished and I would love to return to this pool! It’s so good for my body to move but it’s even better for the mindset! I really enjoyed myself, thank you everyone :)

I’ve avoided outings due to having experienced non neurodiverse friendly businesses that can exasperate PTSD meltdowns and AUD sensory overload. In the past I have been treated pretty average by staff at places and it can spike my PTSD. My son is ADHD so we look to choose "safe" environments to prevent running off with a younger, eager to follow sister and getting into harm's way. Again for him, if the environment is too over stimulating he can be unable to focus or process safe decisions increasing his impulsivity and dangerous situations. Not to mention I become more stressed and it’s just literally no fun at all. This week I wanted to have a belated birthday celebration at Albany Creek Leisure Centre for my 7 year old. We were looking for a relaxed environment to meet a friend and celebrate while showing off my son's new swimming skills. I had reviewed the centre through the helpful Cerge App and the Visual story description and decided to give it a try. I was nervous I was anxious I need to be able to be prepare for multiple of situations or possible situations. Using Cérge it was helpful listing user friendly business to consider and I also found helpful that it shows the distance to the location when considering central meeting point for convenience. Cerge helped reassure I was choosing a neurodiverse friendly environment, allowing me to view the facilities through the Visual Story therefore helping in assuring we could all have an enjoyable, safe time. Toddler pool, Safe entry, Disability parking, Marked pedestrian crossing (better for kids), Spacious and modern shower, ND friendly, Feel welcome, The simple communication and easy entry really helps ease anxiety for me. When attending events being on the spectrum and trying to juggle communication, bags, payments and process information and excitable children at once can often become overwhelming, and dampen a experience. If staff are impatient or unhelpful it’s just makes it a terrible concoction of events. Albany Creek Leisure counter staff were engaging with the kids and helped ensure their wrist bands were put on correctly by them and I was so greatfull for their helpful service. The environment was calm and spacious which meant I didn't feel we were encroaching on anyone's space or activities whilst having plenty of room for kids to play and splash. Once we had splashed our way through the available amenities and all tuckered out ,we were able to have a warm shower in their modern design spacious bathroom facilities. It was a highly enjoyable day out for all that attended and would recommend it for those looking for a relaxed, friendly, accessible environment with loads of entertainment and different programs on offer. Use Cérge! You’ll get all the info before you arrive and no chance of feeling stuck or getting into a pickle you weren’t aware of.