Local residents experienced first-hand the everyday challenges people with mobility issues face when they undertook an access awareness activity in the Gunnedah CBD last week.
Fifteen participants from Gunnedah Shire Council, Council’s Access Working Group and Sunnyfield Disability Services formed groups and moved through Conadilly Street using wheelchairs, walking aids, prams, crutches, and glasses simulating various vision conditions.
The activity was held to raise awareness of accessibility and supports actions within Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2024-2028 and its long-term goals for enhancing access and cultivating inclusion throughout the Shire.
Council’s Director Community and Development Andrew Johns said it was often an eye-opening exercise for those who were used to having a full range of ability.
“The aim of the activity is to ‘experience’ what it is like for those with mobility challenges – temporary or permanent – to navigate their way around the CBD, and in and out of shops,” he said.
“It can also help business owners to better understand how they can maximise opportunities to sell their goods, products and services by laying out their premises in a way that enables people with prams, low vision and varied mobility to move easily in and around the building.”
Participants also tested the usability of crossings, ramps and accessibility parking bays and discussed whether there were opportunities to enhance the designs.
Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM said she noticed a marked improvement in accessibility between now and the last Access Awareness Activity in 2018.
“It’s encouraging to see businesses considering the different needs of community members and accommodating those needs through various measures including increased spacing between shelves, widened doorways and the addition of chairs in-store.
Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath echoed Mayor Fuller’s comments and said the addition of ramps at entrances, automatic doors, and accessible-height counters was another fantastic improvement, but there was more to be done in the CBD.
“Activities like this are important because they actually force you to be more aware of what the issues are, but also start thinking about the cost and the trade-off to resolve those issues,” she said.
“There’s a difference between something being compliant and actually being user-friendly and genuinely accessible.
“I think it’s important that the areas where we have invested the money to make sure we’re compliant, to also be ensuring that they’re fit-for-purpose.”
In response to local feedback, the Access Working Group will aim to undertake access audits of other key streets near the CBD. Additionally, Council staff will deliver copies of the Gunnedah Shire Missed Business Guide to new businesses and organisations along the main street to assist in identifying opportunities to modify internal layouts to enhance access.
