Cérge

Life with a toddler is hard, life with a toddler with a disability with limited communication and mobility requires lots of planning and organisation.   

Today I introduced my little mate Jackson to Cérge at Aquapulse (Werribee, Melbourne). Jackson has a genetic disorder called IQSEC2, this means Jackson has intellectual and gross motor delays and associated Epilepsy.    

He is currently in a wheelchair, non-verbal and has frequent seizures, including where he will drop all of a sudden and sometimes he will stop breathing for a short period of time. This can be something we are use to and also something that can be terrifying depending on the situation.    

The anxiety associated is really hard, we need things to move fast and seamlessly to make things as best as possible for us as a family. We wanted to take Jackson to the Aquatic Centre but as you can imagine going swimming and the risk of a seizure is pretty scary.    

We used Cérge to let the staff at Aquapulse know we would like to get through as quickly as possible as his seizures can mean our trips are cut short. When the staff saw us in the entry they waved us through as quickly as possible, streamlining the front access, payment and wristbands.    

Having never been to Aquapulse before we were unaware of the need to organise lockers at the front desk, when we approached a staff member near the lockers for help she immediately retrieved the wristband we needed with no need to pay (despite them usually incurring a $2 fee!) to ensure quick access for us to get Jackson in the pool.    

This made a HUGE difference. Sometimes by the time we get in and organised it can be 20mins already gone. Making this process fast for us meant he was able to enjoy some time in the toddler pool, warm pool and had an absolute ball!    

All you ever needed any as a parent or caregiver is to see that smile, you know the one where their eyes glisten as their mouth moves as wide as it can. Where you know they are in utter excitement and ecstasy in that very moment.    

Seeing him made me soooo very happy. Everything in the world stops when your know your kid is happy.   

Jackson, being a tall 3 year old, is too big for standard baby change tables located in the All Gender Disabled and baby change stalls. The All Gender showers had a long bench down one side that had more than enough room for Jackson to lay down to get changed and plenty of room left in the stall for Jackson and even enough room to turn his wheelchair around.    

This trip was an absolute success for us, and we will be back! I can’t believe things can be soooo much easier just by having a staff member a step ahead.   
   
 

"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!"

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!

I have PTSD and Anxiety and for this reason I have an Assistance Dog named Hunter. Hunter helps minimise my anxiety and work with me to lower my PTSD triggers. When you have PTSD it can be misunderstood, come on suddenly and can feel terrifying in the middle of it all. I tend to stay”safe” to minimise the worst happening.New experiences can be very difficult for me and Hunter will have to work quite hard. If the event gets more challenging it can be quite stressful.I read some amazing stories about Cérge and saw the Adelaide Hill Recreation Centre just adopted Cérge. This is exciting and kind of scary to be honest. I want so badly to get into a yoga class or body balance not only for my physical body but for my mind. The idea of going to recreation centre I’ve never been to is terrifying. They are usually big and loud and everyone seems to know what to do but me. I never know if I’m in the right place the right clothes and there are always too many mirrors.Before I decided to attend Adelaide Hills Recreation I looked on the Cérge website and went through their Visual story. I was able to see each room, the equipment, entrances and toilets. I also read through the noises that may be heard, I need this for myself but also for Hunter. Along with smells, for obvious reasons. This relieved so so much anxiety. Just knowing what I would see and what the venue looked like reduce my anxiety and made me enthusiastic to visit.When I arrived I was greeted so openly and warmly by Nathan. I had already sent a notification so I knew, they knew I was coming and that was great. I didn’t have to feel awkward and on edge about Hunter which triggers anxiety which makes Hunter work harder which gives anxiety and around and around we go.I had a look around the facilities and I have picked the 8am Yoga class and I am excited for this to begin in my life! I am so pumped! It’s been a while since I felt like this was achievable for me!I would love to see Cérge in places like all small businesses, shopping centres and hospitals this would help me reintegrate into society so much easier.

I have anxiety, fibromyalgia, issues with sensory overload ADHD 
and rheumatoid arthritis. So I have quite a few barriers to 
accessing an aquatic centre and feeling comfortable.
In my daily life for work, I support clients include mature-aged 
women with chronic pain and health conditions; and stroke 
survivors requiring minimal support.
So using Cérge to visit Watermarc Banyule yesterday was a 
tremendous experience as a user but also seeing the benefits for 
the people I work with. My own intrinsic experience in two 
varying ways yet both amazingly complimented each other and 
how this can change so many lives and enable me to support my 
people SO much more.

As I drove towards the venue there was some construction near 
the venue with some of the area out of street view. I was a bit 
anxious but having read up in the app I remembered that it was 
said the venue is on a hill and there is underground parking; with 
direct access to the venue with a lift!!
Yay no stairs!
It helped to know it would be a big building so you knew what to expect. Not 
all people with disability need lifts, or ramps. But today, for me. I did.
I did not get lost and nervous as I usually do when going to a new 
place, so it was a nice experience. It’s actually incredible how just 
being able to mind map a venue from looking at all the 
information beforehand seriously relieved so much for me. The problem- you have to literally scour multiple websites to try 
and get the information you need.
I need more than a car park, opening times and a pretty webpage.
I need to see the toilet.
The change room
I need to know the smells and noises.
The stuff that isn’t pretty on a website is usually what most people 
need but can’t find, so they stay home. Trust me.Noah told me where the change rooms were and they were clean 
and not crowded. I had seen them in the Visual Story and they 
looked the same which is always comforting.
I used the exercise equipment as stated in the app to use in the 
pool; I always thought people had brought their own! When I 
asked when are the usual quieter times, Noah understood that I 
would enjoy a time when the water slide closes in the late 
afternoon and then the rest of the facilities are still open to be 
used. Noah felt like a friend. I think me using Cérge kinda made it 
feel like we had a mate in common so we had rapport quickly.

Overall a very pleasant experience that I would do again and 
recommend using the app to clients, friends and family. I would 
actually go to places mostly that are on the app as I will feel less 
anxious and I will know before I arrive if physically I can use the 
facility or not.

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!