Cérge

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

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!

I was a competitive swimmer when I was younger, it was my happy place. Life happened, kids happened and it felt like a lifetime ago.For the past two years I’ve battled with a disease called Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN) which makes it extremely hard to do everyday tasks. SFN is extremely painful.I have two boys, I’m tough, I’m a positive person and I’m the last person who would think of myself as having a disability or barrier. It’s just who I am. It took about 12 months for doctors to work out why I had such excruciating pain so often. I could barely walk. Still, there are days I struggle. I hate talking about the struggle because it’s not who I am. I just want to be able to feel good for my boys.I have followed Cérge for a while after seeing a really uplifting story and although I didn’t think its was for me, because again, I don’t feel like I have a barrier. I realised that actually I could try this app to give staff a heads up on what’s going on for me. Cérge seems like it’s for everyone who just needs something a bit extra or different and I didn’t feel like it was going to make me feel like a burden.I saw on the website that Cérge was at the Nerang pool which is reasonably local to me. I was nervous even thinking about exercising when standing to cook dinner causes me pain. How would I ever exercise? But, I don’t know, something made me feel like it was worth the attempt. Maybe Cérge was my little motivator friend.I took a look at the website and got a good idea of the pool and the amount of stairs etc. u was pretty nervous about being sore after swimming, and to be honest, I am .
But, my heart is full! My energy is back and my vibe about having something for me is fuelled!I love swimming, I always have! It’s been 8 years since I even dipped a toe in. I was terrified to go back, always too busy, always too much in. Nothing like a bit of pain to motivate you hey.
I do have to say, if Cérge wasn’t there and I didn’t feel like the pool was a safe space I wouldn’t have tried and another 8 years would easily pass.“Swimming” is now booked in to my calendar every week! This is going to help me on so many levels!
 

“I don’t need it easy, I just need it possible" – Bethany Hamilton (Disabled Pro Surfer).  

For a while now I have been trying my best to have new experiences but sometimes due my disability which makes me a bit unsteady on my feet (stairs can be a bit tricky) and being touch sensitive to some sensations, sticking with the activities and places I know can be easier and pushing myself into the unknown can be tough. 

When I saw that Cérge was launching on Aquaduck Sunshine Coast and I couldn’t believe it. I had seen the Aquaduck before and wanted to go, but was unsure about it all. Cerge made it possible.

Cérge has a virtual tour of the Aquaduck experience so I was able to virtually walk on board, check out the seats, look how many stairs there were and prepare. 

This made my whole experience so much better. I had very little anxiety about trying something new because I could see everything and had a complete mind map of what was ahead. I knew the areas I would need support for the stairs, I could see how the seats were organised. I knew where I wanted to sit. I could see the location of the boat driver and other passengers and all of this combined made my anxiety very little. 

My Support Worker, Mel and I had a wonderful time on board. I am looking forward to using the app more often to help us communicate to the business what we need before we arrive which just saves time and make the whole experience far more inclusive. 

I’m very excited that Cérge is now available at such cool and fun places! It makes me want to try new things that I never usually would! It opens up all sort of possibilities for me that I may not have had the courage to try before.

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This Story of Inclusion made possible by the Queensland Government's Accessible Tourism Enablers Grant and the Access Accelerator Program, a partnership between Spinal Life Australia & 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.

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.