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that information is outdated and when we arrive things are 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!

Both my father and my husband have disabilities so I wanted to check out Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex with the Cérge app to see if it could help us and make things easier. Before I visited the pool, I felt very curious about how the visit would go, as a person without a disability personally there is lots that we do not consider. With both my father and my husband having disabilities, and to put myself in their shoes was eye opening.? We used the Cérge app to let the staff know we were coming and required a tour of the facilities to see what would be suitable. After looking around the grounds, we felt comfortable and well accounted for. Staff were helpful and trained in the equipment that is offered for people with a range of disabilities.? Before I went to the location, I was optimistic. As one of the newer facilities within our community, I feel that they will be the most helpful and new facilities to cover a range of disabilities. The staff were so kind and ready to roll. They answered all questions confidently and with great understanding.? We had a wonderful experience and will definitely use Cérge in many more businesses to let them know our needs. I’m off to let dad know about Cérge and to give it a go! He will require more needs than me and I feel confident they will have him sorted!?

As a single leg amputee, it can be terrifying thinking of swimming. Not only because of the logistics as my body is obviously different now, but also how to swim has changed too. It’s scary to think of infection and what can go wrong when exposing my leg to water and different areas like change rooms.

When I heard about the Cérge app coming to Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex I wanted to give it a shot. Being able to use the Cérge app to let the staff know I was on my way and that I would like a tour of the facilities was helpful. I was able to explain my disability through the app which also meant I didn’t have to do the weird small talk about the elephant in the room. That can get really annoying to be honest.

In the past I’ve had security guards at airports as me to remove my leg. This has been extremely embarrassing for me and then the security guard would try to small talk me which was just infuriating to say the least.

I have had some horrible experiences and that’s why I’m very glad to see this new business Cérge. Not only for me but for so many others who have been put in awkward positions or have to talk about their disability when frankly we don’t want to.?

I like that everything on the app can be stated and also incognito if I choose. I can literally write “please do not bother me I just want to have a look around” and that can happen. That’s a stress relief in itself.

The facilities at Mackay Arc are really up to date and there are many things available for mobility disabilities. It was great to see. The staff were excellent and made me feel very welcome. No weird questions, no odd small talk, just genuinely wanted to help and knew what I wanted.
A game changer.
I can imagine the Cérge app would be really good for some people to be able to tell the business what they need, especially if someone is nonverbal and wants the staff to talk to them and not their carer. This happens a lot.

Thanks Mackay ARC for being a leading business and trying to be more accessible and inclusive. It made a difference to me.  Thank you.