Maggie new ‘deaf access officer’
Horsham Rural City Council’s new ‘deaf access officer’ will work to improve the lives of deaf people across the Wimmera.
Maggie Bridgewater is leading the council’s Deaf Access Project, which will also be delivered in Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera municipalities.
Horsham community services director Kevin O’brien said the council was pleased to deliver this important service in the Wimmera.
“The aim of the Deaf Access Project is to enable people who are deaf and hard of hearing to participate in and benefit from the same community activities and mainstream services as everyone else,” he said.
“Communities need to have accessible information to make decisions and choices.”
Mr O’brien said the project would enable the council to continue to improve universal accessibility across its communities.
“It will provide meaningful opportunities for the hard of hearing and deaf communities to be able to contribute to civic and community life,” he said.
City of Ballarat previously provided the Wimmera Deaf Access service.
The worker was based in Ballarat and covered a broad geographic area.
Mr O’brien said the Horsham council had joined forces with City of Ballarat to deliver the important and innovative service in the Wimmera.
The Department of Health and Human Services funds the project.
People can contact Maggie via email at maggie.bridgewater@ hrcc.vic.gov.au, mobile text 0437 167 125 or TTY Dial 133 677, then ask for 5382 9533.
People can email Mr O’brien at kevin.obrien@hrcc.vic.gov. au for more information about the Deaf Access Project.