Cérge

I made a trip down to White’s Supa IGA on Monday, the newest partner addition to the Cérge app and wanted to share my experience.The whole team were fantastic I sent my notification with a request to please lower the music and the lights, I was lucky enough to have my peer worker with me for the day so I didn’t need as much assistance as I would if I was to go shopping alone.I checked in as we parked the car and by the time we got to the front door a manager was there to welcome us by name, how fancy!They had turned the music off completely which was lovely however due to the building being owned by Stockland they were unable to adjust the lights as it is seen as a health and safety issue. As they are now the store is well lit but certainly not anywhere near as bright and glaring as the big box stores. They are working hard to find a solution for this whilst still keeping everyone safe, so hopefully it will be an available option in the future.We also discussed what assistance is available for those of us shopping solo and I was pleased to hear that they will do everything they can to help, including having a team member shop with you if they are free.The manager gave us a tour of the store, asking questions about my dietary requirements and what I enjoyed eating then pointed out specific isles that met my needs. I know for some people this can be triggering but please know that I am sure my boundaries would have been respected if I had declined to answer.After confirming that everything was ok, she left us to shop in peace with the reassurance that if we needed anything all we had to do was ask a team member.Their product range is extensive with many unique options that you don’t see or are difficult to find in larger stores, including a wide variety of gluten free and vegan products, some of which I had never seen before and I will be going back to purchase later.I did not need my stick on Monday but the isles are wide and easily accessible for those of us using mobility aides.All in all a wonderful shopping experience and great to see local businesses joining Cérge so we can support them in return.

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!

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!

Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, but that was not true today...

I hadn’t been in a pool in over 40 years and now I’ve been twice in two weeks. This is nothing short of a miracle. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enjoy swimming. Ever.

I have an extreme fear of water, epilepsy, a heart condition and a lung condition. Being near water terrifies me not only from a fear perspective but from a “what if I had a seizure in the water or my lungs played up”…… that could be really bad.

It’s been easier to avoid water for 4 decades than even attempt to try anything in water, except shower.

Trying Cérge the first time was amazing and gave me so much confidence in having support that I went to the pool again today.

We ventured down to Bribie Aquatic which was a completely new location. Usually I would be nervous but having used Cérge the other week I trusted the staff at the pool would look after me. It felt good, kinda like the smart heart tick, that makes you know something is a better choice at the shops. I knew because they have Cérge, that they care. It’s a good feeling.

I was excited today, I spoke to my Support Worker about wanting to learn to swim. These are big words…. I’ll remind you… 40years! I was a grasshopper last time I was in a pool.

When we arrived Lisa was fantastic she showed us the pools and the areas and was so friendly, she made me feel right at home straight away. I was ready to get in and get going and it felt good to be excited and not nervous for once. What a difference that makes.

I swam quite a few lengths of the pool with a pool noodle, this is huge for me because being in the middle of the pool is the scariest bit. But I did it and gee I’m proud of myself!

Lisa checked on us whilst I was swimming and made sure I was having fun, and I really was!

I noticed they have a whirlpool, I want to try that next!

It’s like my youth is ignited, I can feel my fear displacing and my adrenaline junkie side coming out. Hehe.

I got to talking to someone at the pool today too, I was so excited that it helped my confidence and I started chatting.

Its amazing how I can now imagine going to the pool regularly, learning to swim, meeting friends.

I never knew this could be MY life!

A whole new part of my life has opened up and I’m truly so happy!

Thank you so much Cérge for doing what you do, you are giving me the extra in the ordinary!

Thank you Bribie Aquatic, see you next week in the whirlpool! Yeeharrr!!! <<Read what happens next moving from Isolation to Independence>><<Read the original Story of Inclusion from two weeks earlier here>> 

Today I met a new friend named Cérge……The Cérge app worked perfectly and it’s a great service… even my Support Worker was impressed… lolI arrived at Peregian Beach IGA to meet Cérge and do a little shopping, having advised them earlier I was on my way.As I use a wheelchair when in shopping centres due to balance issues, I had my Support Worker with me on this visit.At this time of the year, people are usually tense and somewhat short-tempered, so yes, I do avoid shopping centres approaching Christmas season… funny that Christmas brings out the worse in people at times (lol), so I hoped today using Cérge would ease some anxiety and I could have an enjoyable shopping experience.Unfortunately one small concern. The footpath leading to IGA’s front door was completely blocked with trolleys (who didn’t quite make it to the trolley corral) requiring my Support Worker to round them up and send them “home” so I could keep wheeling past.Once inside the store I was greeted by the lovely Amber who couldn’t have been more helpful, asking what I needed to make my shopping experience the best possible and assuring me that she would be happy to assist me in any way I wished.When I explained I had my Support Worker with me for assistance, Amber informed me she was happy to help in any way if needed.I did tell Amber about the wayward trolleys and she apologised and said she would advise management about that issue, which was the perfect response!At the checkout Jake did a great job in processing my groceries and he actually talked to me rather than my Support Worker, which I really appreciated as all too often, people talk over you when you are in a wheelchair… good job Jake!As it is approaching Christmas, it’s understandable there is a little more product in the aisleways than usual, but everywhere was accessible. As I was departing the store, there was one section where my wheelchair barely fit between the wall and some flowerpots, but a staff member ensured I could fit through and was prepared to move the flowerpot if needed, much appreciated.On my way to the car I noticed all the trolleys were happily in their paddock, so perhaps Amber followed up?My SW is a needed support because Cérge isn’t everywhere yet, but certainly Amber and Jake (particularly Amber who said she would be happy to accompany me and assist me with my shopping) gives me total confidence that I wouldn’t need my SW at an IGA store now that Cérge is “on duty”.All in all, a wonderful shopping experience… and I’ll certainly be back again for the free coffee

We are on a family holiday at the moment, myself, my husband and our two teenagers. We are driving from the north of New Zealand to the south.
I am a person who is Deaf and so travelling comes with its challenges. Some tourist attractions are just completely inaccessible to me. We can travel to a place and be very excited and then when we arrive we realise I can’t hear the tour guide or hear the show.
I can’t tell you the continuum of disappointment at times.
I’m a very positive human and with my disability I make the most of every encounter and communication. Sadly the frustration can build up at times.
I communicate via writing, lip reading, New Zealand Sign Language, which is an official language in NZ since 2006, however it doesn’t mean everyone knows or utilises it.
When I saw on the Cérge app that Trust House Recreation Centre has Cérge and was almost in our direction I was so incredibly excited! It’s 30 degrees here today and for us Kiwis that’s an oven. So a swim was the perfect idea!
I notified Trust House in the Cérge app that I would be arriving in 40mins, that I am a person who is Deaf and I would like the staff to communicate via writing, text, signs and gestures!
As soon as I arrived I had two staff members give me the biggest waves and smiles! They had great eye contact with me as I asked questions about the gym and sauna (way too hot for a sauna today hehe). Their enthusiasm to try and to do their best was so appreciated!
They wrote me a note, gave me a timetable and I went off into the pools to enjoy and look around! Trust House Recreation Centre is a great centre, the facilities are amazing and the staff were very friendly.
I read the note, it was about the prices and then a bit that said there was no visual effect for a fire emergency but that the lifeguards were aware of me and the staff member would sign to me if there was a fire.
This made me feel so incredibly safe, I can’t hear fire alarms or sirens and yet never has this been incorporated into a visit to any venue ever for me. I knew, they knew who I was and they would keep me safe.
Above
And
Beyond!
Being able to have inclusive customer service like this means I can visit places without needing a support person to assist with communication and that is a massive plus for me.
I just love that even on a family holiday I can use Cérge to help find inclusive venues and therefore visit them! We enjoyed going to a whole new town because of Cérge! 
Thank you Cérge and thank you Trust House Recreation Centre