Improve inclusion

I HAVE lived in Toowoomba my whole life and love being involved in our community.

During this time, so much has changed, good and bad, with different approaches to how our city is managed by the many changing councillors.

As someone now living with a disability after an accident and subsequently a member of Spinal Life Australia, I am recommending for our mayor and councillors to seriously look at more ways to improve accessibility and inclusion in our region and I ask this is on behalf of our increasing ageing population, people with disability and widespread community, not forgetting the many visitors to our region.

Ahead of local government elections on Saturday, March 28, I am working to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with a disability and urge candidates to share how they plan to address these issues if elected.

These key local issues include creating a clear access and inclusion plan, part of which involves increased awareness of the importance of the availability of disability parking spaces and how to better regulate them, the continual improvement to transport options and community access such as footpaths, kerb ramps and pedestrian crossings.

The plan must include consultation with constituents who have a disability.

Other areas of interest include promoting inclusive tourism opportunities and raising awareness of the needs of people with a disability among local businesses, along with encouraging housing developers to meet or exceed the silver level of liveable housing guidelines.

I’m sure we would all like to see these ideas put into action with a plan to create long-lasting change and ensure the community is open and accessible for everyone. Any improvements will surely help the Toowoomba region prosper into the future. BRYAN FLEMMING, Spinal Life member