Cérge

I wear two hats as I am the dad of a son (28 years old) who is quadriplegic, with Cerebral Palsy and I’ve been his carer for most of his life until NDIS came along. My son Christoper is an incredible human and is volunteering as the Qld Air Museum Video Production Manager. He uses a head switch and eye-tracking to control his devices and edit videos, operate cameras and fly drones. He is also my very own personal tech support! Haha
Being his dad and carer has taught me a lot over the years. My second hat is that of being the President of the Queensland Air Museum. I am one of over 140 active volunteers. 

You see our volunteers want to be able to provide a welcome and good service to anyone and everyone who visits us. We want to be as accessible and inclusive as possible and we want everyone to enjoy our amazing venue and we hope that shines through when you visit. 
We want people to feel as though we are interested in treating them as a person and not as a disability. Everyone comes to enjoy history and planes and that’s a passion we can all share together.

The Cérge website is brilliant and it’s started us on such a good path. We now have a button front and centre on our website - a wheelchair icon as it’s the universal symbol for disability, even though we know not all disability means a wheelchair. We have a lot of information now to share with every customer before they even arrive so they can check us out before they travel to visit us: Access guides, Visual Story, Virtual Tour, Keyword Sign Board, Audio Guide 

It is so brilliant that people can see it so easily and from the safety of their home where they can plan their outings. They can even use the measuring tool in the virtual tour to measure heights. It’s very cool!

Cérge has been the talk of the town here and has started us with a bunch of new projects and plans. We now have one of our volunteers who has taken on the role of developing an Access and Inclusion plan. 
Obviously infrastructure is always one to improve on. I’m working on a way to assist people with mobility challenges to access cockpit of an aircraft.

Alongside this we are also currently launching a major infrastructure development that is very exciting, it will take time but we have lots of things on the go to deliver the best access and inclusion possible. 
We are very excited to have Cérge showcasing our air museum which we just love. Opening up and seeing all of the photos and the virtual tour just speaks volumes to our visitors and visitors to be! Not to mention the whole community who sees our business caring about each person as best we can. 

My role as president is to influence the culture of our organisation as well as the infrastructure and we are always trying to improve!
See you soon for a tour of all the amazing planes and many displays!

I visited IGA yesterday at Mt Coolum and got to see Cerge in action at a supermarket for the first time.I'd just had an upsetting specialist appointment and so wasn't really in the mood to push my comfort levels and shop but I shouldn't have worried. I notified them 10 minutes before I arrived on the app and by the time I'd walked in the door, a lovely person (Candace) called me by name to greet me and introduce me to the shop. I was so touched that she'd read my bio and brought a chair with to sit near the exit in case I needed it, that I nearly started crying.She offered to assist me in any way that I needed but as I had a support worker, I was happy to shop with her for the most part. Vanessa came later and checked in on me to see if I had any questions or if they could help in any way. They turned the volume down and the lights down for me as well which was such a welcome relief from how it usually feels to shop!I was surprised at how compact the shop was with carparks right outside on the curb making it a more comfortable commute. Their deli, pantry, fridge, special goods and fruit and vege section was well stocked, meaning that I could go there for a one stop shop (hallelujah!) There selection of foods that cater to different health needs (gluten free, vegan, dairy free etc) also made me give it a big tick of approval.Vanessa helped me put my groceries through the register and then Bronwyn (I believe this was her name) came over and made me nearly cry again with her beautiful warmth and kindness! It was honestly one of the best shops that I've ever had, even if I needed to sit down half way through it didn't matter... I felt safer shopping there knowing that the regulars would see the Cerge sign at the entry and so would be more understanding this IGA supports people who need a little more help and attention.I came home and told my husband all about it, who said he'd be happy to drive me to any of the 5 that are linked any time that I want! I am so, so grateful for this amazing service. We need to continue making areas more accessible, friendly and inclusive so that we don't marginalise people and restrict access.Thank you Mt Coolum IGA, thank you Roz White, thank you Cerge and Chris !! You are all superheroes in my eyes for making a positive and welcome change.

I was a Chef many years ago and because of my spinal injury and some other concerns in my life at the time I had to stop. It broke my heart because it’s a true love of mine.

I started my apprenticeship at 17 as soon as I finished yr 12 and was lucky to study at the Sofitel Culinarily Academy. Starting in a local pub (Where I learnt a lot), I very quickly I got to work with some of the best chefs and in the greatest kitchens in the country. It truly sucked having to stop. 

I love Cérge and am a frequent user so when I saw that Cérge was available for the Chefs In Conversation at The Curated Plate Festival on the Sunshine Coast I jumped at the chance to attend!

I notified Altitude 9 that I would be on my way and arrive within the hour. I had my Support Worker Poppy with me and I let the venue know the things I needed them to know for the day. I use a mobility aid and so I had already checked out all the information online so I knew in advance I could access the venue.

I have a bunch of food allergies and I knew food would be tough for me. I ate beforehand as my food can honestly be incredibly hard for me. They were amazing and offered different options but I was happy to hear the chefs talk.
I felt so at home and it was amazing to be around industry leaders such as Peter Kuruvita (Alba) and also a living legend! 
Tom Hitchcock (Spirit House) which is a world class venue, Cameron Mathews ( Mapleton Public House) and Stacey Connor (Humble on Duke) who was great to talk to!

One thing I feel so happy about is that the partnership between this event and Cérge is the only reason it was possible for me. This is an event I wouldn’t consider because it would feel way too hard and overwhelming. Simply because they had Cérge I knew they cared, it meant I could do something that it of my comfort zone but that offered a way to fill my heart again by being around such incredible chefs. It was absolutely so inspiring. I spoke with Stacey from Humble on Duke and what a great person. Very interesting and passionate about the industry. 

When I arrived I was made to feel so incredibly welcome by Jarnia, her happy, welcoming vibe where nothing was too much trouble. I could feel all she wanted was for me to have a good time. 

Thank you for such a great event within a wonderful festival, but mostly, thank you for caring and considering me.

It matters.
 

My Mr 11 Autistic and ADHD and runs off a lot. It is extremely 
scary because I never know when or where he is going to go. He 
will see something he wants to go and just run.
It’s terrifying.
One thing I try to do is show him places before we arrive to set his 
expectations, we can map out where to go and what is there and I 
can explain he will get to see everything he wants to see.
The problem is, not much information is provided online that I 
need. 
I don’t even want to tell you about the level of disappointment if 
that information is outdated and when we arrive things are 
different.
It puts 1000 spanners in the works.
I’m tired.
This is why when we saw Maleny Botanical Garden and Bird World 
on the Cérge website we were so excited. Cooper is bird mad! He LOVES them.
I knew at this level of excitement we would have to really layer the 
experience so I could prepare him.
Cérge has everything.
I showed him the Visual Story so we could walk through the 
photos of the entrance (some birds around), the pathways, to the 
bird world and inside and around the gardens and exhibits. It’s a 
big space and a bit daunting when I have a runner. Yet this 
information was our toolkit for survival and a fun day!
The Virtual Tour on the Cérge app had us able to see the whole 
place so that really helped prepare also. Cooper was SO excited!
We paid our entry and grabbed our maps and met the first birds! 
The pathways and exhibits are great! Some parts are steep so if 
you use a wheelchair you would want to check Cérge tools online 
to make sure it’s accessible for you. There are golf buggies to use 
and that’s a lot of fun!
The views are incredible! Wow! Heavens!
I was worried Cooper would be having TOO MUCH fun! Haha what 
a problem to have hey, but in all honesty I was worried he 
wouldn’t want to leave but he listened to instructions and it was a 
truly excellent day.
The staff are friendly and informative they checked who wanted 
birds on them and who didn’t which was great! The staff 
communicated fantastically and used multiple methods. They 
spoke clear and concise and used their hand movements also. This 
was really effective for us.
The whole vibe is just excellent!
Cooper got to interact with all types of birds, galahs, macaws, 
pigeons, cockatoos and more. He was in his element that’s for 
sure! I loved seeing my boy having so much fun, in his zone, brave 
and engaged! What a truly incredible experience for him!
We will be back!

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!

I generally only go places that I have been or the person who I am going with has been. That way someone is familiar with the surroundings and layout. Having Cerge meant that I could get an idea of the layout and my anxiety was under control because I knew where exits were and what to expect. The Visual Story and Virtual tour were definitely two tools that I would use on a daily basis if Cerge was everywhere. I have an invisible disability so people don’t understand the lack of eye contact or when I become flustered or forget my manners. Sometimes I say things that aren’t quiet socially acceptable but it’s because unknown place and people make me feel quite nervous. I was able to use the app today and let the staff know at the Kingston Butter Factory these key points about me and that made me feel so much comfortable before arrival because I knew the assumptions and judgements were taken out of the equation. Today at Kingston Butter Factory it was a really quiet day we were some of the few people visiting. We had a great opportunity to look at the art works and explore the space. Staff member Dan showed us around all of the spaces to make me feel more comfortable. He explained what happened in each of the rooms and the other people I might see upstairs and who they were and their roles within the organisation. He had a very calm demeanour and was very helpful. After we left I felt very happy. Not exhausted like I normally do after leaving somewhere. This is probably due to less anxiety and the fact that is was quiet and we were able to look around at our own pace. Outings usually deplete me greatly so I can tend to avoid them, where as today I left feeling more energy! Bonus! Having an invisible disability makes it hard for people to understand why I can’t cope with noises and movement. Also knowing that I wouldn’t have an access issue with my NCAA (non canine assistance animal) made it so much easier. Confrontation can bring on a panic attack and knowing that they were accepting was awesome. So many families with children need this app even if it’s just for the Visual Stories to help them know what to expect. The difference for families would be incredible. I would love to see Cérge at more CAFE’s, museums and art galleries in Brisbane City and near me. I’d probably be able to enjoy a full day out if it was like this!