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What you need to know

Accessible Moonee Valley

We are committed to a more inclusive and accessible city, where everyone can access everything and feel empowered to do so.

People with disabilities face discrimination if housing, education, transport, employment, health services and information technology are not accessible. This exclusion means fewer opportunities for education and employment. Well planned cities mean people with disabilities, their families and communities are happier socially and are better off financially.

Accessible Moonee Valley will give you information on:

  • Accessing services and supports
  • Accessing the community
  • Accessing transport
  • Accessing attractions and accommodation
  • Access Fact Sheets

Get social!

Our support includes care planning, community based social and leisure opportunities, outreach, advocacy and policy development, all of which is guided by our Disability Action Plan.

Our programs include:

  • The Lab
  • Social Connections
  • Caring for Carers

Want to know more? click here

Accessing services and support

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities.

The scheme is available for people under the age of 65 who have a significant or permanent disability. For more information about the NDIS click here

Carers

Sign up for our Caring for carers program which provides supports to people who care for others.

Libraries

Our beautiful libraries offer a range of books in alternate formats. To view our e-book, e-audio, large print and talking book collections click here

  • Quiet story time is a calm, sensory story time for children who need a little bit more support
  • The Next Chapter Book Club is a book club for adults with an intellectual disability.
  • Our libraries host a range of accessible activities and events. To find out what’s on click here.

Accessing the community

The mobility map provides information about accessible facilities in the Moonee Ponds Activity Precinct. Hard copies of the map are also available at Civic Centre, 9 Kellaway Avenue Moonee Ponds.

Changing facilitites

To find adult changing facilities across the municipality click here.

Accessible toilets

A list of accessible toilets across Moonee Valley is available here.

Recharge points

Council has some facilities with recharge points for electric wheelchairs and scooters. To find the nearest Recharge points click here.

Parking

The MPAC mobility map shows accessible car parks. To find more accessible parking in Moonee Valley download the Park Moonee Valley App.
Need a disabled parking permit? Click here to find out how to apply.

Community halls

Looking for an accessible affordable venue. Try one of our community centre or halls.

Hearing loops

A hearing loop has been installed at the Clocktower theatre and Assistant Listening Devices are available to members of the public attending meetings in Council Chambers.

 

Accessible sports

All abilities netball

Mixed netball for all abilities and ages with weekly games at Parkville

Contact Molly McCord

Phone: 0409 276 029

Email: mollymccordd@gmail.com

 

Special Olympics – Melbourne West Club

Weekly sports training and regular competition for people with an intellectual disability.

Sports: Athletics, Tennis, Basketball, Tenpin and Bocce

Contact Gavin Dovey Ph: 9374 1804 or gavin.dovey@hotmail.com

Visit  http://www.specialolympics.com.au/index.php/melbournewest

Accessing transport

Our public transport system includes train, trams and bus services. Trains are the most accessible type of public transport for people with a disability.

Public transport

Public Transport Victoria’s (PTV) website provides information on the accessibility of transport. Information is also available for vision or hearing impaired people. You can also find out about travelling with mobility aids

Train

Moonee Valley trains are on the Craigieburn Line. You can use PTV’s journey planner to plan your trip or call PTV on 1800 800 007 or the National Relay Service on 133 677.
Click the name of each station to view the accessible facilities
Newmarket, Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Strathmore and Flemington Showgrounds.

Tram travel

At present Moonee Valley’s tram stops are not accessible for people with mobility aids.  For more information, see Yarra Trams accessibility information.

Bus travel

Most buses in Moonee Valley are low-floor and accessible for people with a disability. Most buses can be lowered by the driver so they are closer to the kerb and a ramp used to help passengers board. Click here for bus timetables and companies that service Moonee Valley

To find out if the buses at your stop are accessible, call Public Transport Victoria on 1800 800 007

Assistance animals

Animals can come with you on public transport under certain conditions. You can get an Animal Assistance Pass if you need a trained assistance animal to help you on public transport.

Companion Card

The Companion Card is issued by the State Government to people with a significant permanent disability, who are unable to access community activities without a carer.

The carer is allowed to travel free on public transport and attend events at no cost and the person with the disability, or the Companion Card Holder pays the standard charge. People with a temporary disability are not eligible.

We welcome carers in at no cost at our venues listed below:

Apply for a Companion Card.

Travel passes

  • The Access Travel Pass is for people who can’t use their MYKI because of their disability.
  • Scooter and Wheelchair Travel Passes are available for people with a scooter or wheelchair.
  • Vision Impaired Travel Pass allow people who are legally blind to travel for free.
  • The Victorian Carer Card allows for free travel on weekends. Cardholders may also be eligible for free travel vouchers. See Carer Card for more information.

Taxis and ridesharing

Taxis

The Multi-Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) offers subsidised fares for people with severe and permanent disabilities
Taxi’s and ridesharing services have a legal responsibility to transport passengers and their assistance animals. For information about bookings, accessible vehicles and your rights click here

Wheelchair accessible taxi’s transport people who need to travel in their wheelchairs. You will need to call to book an accessible taxi.  Some companies include:

Silvertop Taxis Ph: 131 108

13cabs Ph: 132 227

Ridesharing

Uber and Shebah are booked from mobile phone apps. These vehicles may not be accessible. Please contact these companies directly if you need an accessible vehicle.

Community transport

Council provides community transport for people with a disability and older adults.

Attractions and accommodation

Moonee Valley is a great place to play and stay. Some things you can do and see are:

Attractions

Moonee Valley Racecourse

Click here to see a map of the accessible parking (pdf, 174KB), toilets and lifts in the grandstands. If you need a wheelchair on the day you need to call Customer Service to book one.

An accessibility attendant is available on race days to help wheelchairs travel from the car park through the tunnel.

The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds:

The Showgrounds are accessible for people with a disability. Click here to find out about the accessible features at the Showgrounds.

All pavilions are wheelchair accessible. You can also hire a wheelchair on the day if you need it.

Flemington Racecourse:

Flemington Racecourse provide a range of services for people requiring mobility assistance.  Click here to find information on:

  • Ticketing, seating and dining
  • Transport services, parking and drop of locations
  • On course services and facilities

Clocktower Centre:

The Clocktower comes alive with theatre, functions and events. Click here to plan your visit

Incinerator Gallery:

The heart of visual arts in Moonee Valley.  The Incinerator Galley has:

  • Accessible parking
  • Lift or ramp access to all exhibition spaces
  • Accessible toilet with nappy changing facility
  • Access to all areas with service animals

If you would like more information, please contact the Gallery on 03 9243 1750.

Make your event accessible

Making events and activities fun and accessible for everyone is a fundamental step in the process of building an inclusive community - here are some handy tips and hints.

Our Include Everyone Guide (pdf, 174KB), accessible word version (docx, 28KB) has handy tips and ideas to ensure that people with disability can fully participate in activities and events in Moonee Valley.

It includes information and checklists:

  • planning your event
  • accessible spaces
  • inclusive communication
  • staff and support

For downloadable versions of the disability access symbols used in this guide, visit the Graphic Artists Guild website.

Accommodation

You can search on Booking.com for place to stay that are accessible. Hotels listed as wheelchair accessible on this site in Moonee Valley are:

Quest Flemington Central

  • 6 accessible units
  • King or Singles
  • 1 x 1 bedroom unit
  • 4 x 2 bedroom unit
  • 1 x 3 bedroom unit
  • Accessible bathroom (roll in shower, non-slip floor, rails)
  • 850mm door width
  • Accessible Parking
  • Lift access from carpark

Quest Flemington

  • 2 accessible units
  • King size
  • 1 bedroom
  • Accessible bathroom (roll in shower, non-slip floor, rails)
  • 800mm door width
  • Accessible Parking
  • Flat entrance from parking to reception

Quest Moonee Valley

  • 3 accessible units on the ground floor
  • Accessible bathroom (roll in shower, non-slip floor, rails)
  • 800mm door width
  • Accessible Parking
  • Ramps from car parking to Reception and rooms.

Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields

  • 2 accessible units on the 1st and 2nd floor
  • King size
  • Lift access to floors
  • Accessible bathroom (roll in shower, non-slip floor, rails)
  • Flat entrance from carpark to Reception

 

A home of my own

Looking for a place to live can be an exciting and challenging time.

There are lots of things to think about when you would like to move into your own home.

We've created 'a home of my own' to help with:

  • the types of houses that best meet your needs
  • the skills you need to live on your own
  • how to use your NDIS funding to reach your housing goals
  • housing advocacy and support services.

Home maintenance & inspections

Enjoy your independence with our home and yard maintenance service, for elderly residents and those with an intellectual and physical disability.

  • installation of smoke alarms and battery replacement
  • bathroom/toilet modifications e.g. grab rails, handheld shower hoses, shower stools, shower benches, transfer benches
  • access modifications e.g. ramps, hand-rails, construction of easy step pathways, rails at entrance and internally
  • changing of light bulbs
  • building of raised garden boxes which are accessible to people with physical limitation
  • minor repairs to fly screens and windows, door handles and doors
  • minor repairs to gates or latches
  • basic pruning for safe access (pruning plants that overhang footpaths or block driveways).

Our home maintenance does not include:

  • lawn mowing
  • repairs to hot water services
  • replacement of spouting
  • garden makeovers
  • electrical or plumbing work which require tradesman’s skills
  • pest control, except laying out bait
  • furniture or rubbish removal.

A minimal hourly fee will apply, plus cost of materials and tip charges for rubbish removal, if applicable. To find out more, call 9243 8806.

Choosing your home

The Summer Foundation's My Housing Preferences Tool is a workbook you can use to help you to think about the type of house that might best meet your needs.

Mainstream housing

Mainstream housing is housing that anyone can live in.

You do not have to have a disability to live in mainstream housing so some houses may not meet your access needs.

Mainstream housing options can include:

  • Private rental is housing that is available to rent in the private rental market. Private rental housing can include houses, units and apartments.
  • Public housing is a long-term form of social housing rental for people who are assessed to need it most. This can include people who have experienced homelessness, family violence of have additional support needs.
  • Community housing is a form of long-term, affordable rental housing which is managed by not-for-profit organisations. Community housing is for people who have very low incomes or have additional needs.
  • Home ownership is a home you already own or have borrowed money from the bank to buy.
  • Home sharing is when you share a home with other people. Each person in the home will have their own space but share rooms such as the lounge room, kitchen, laundry and bathroom.

You can search for mainstream housing to rent or buy on Domain and Realestate.com.

Accessible home and supported living

The Housing Hub is a new way for people with disability to find housing. The Housing Hub advertises vacancies for accessible apartments and houses that are owned by housing providers.

The Disability Housing website lists houses for sale and for rent.

Housing Choices Australia houses people with disability in the city and rural areas of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Endeavour can help people with disability live on their own through a range of housing options.

Specialist disability accomodation (SDA)

Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is for people who have very high physical support or safety needs.
SDA offers funding for an NDIS approved house or apartment.

The NDIS estimates that only 6% of participants will qualify for SDA. This means that most people with a disability will need to find mainstream housing and get funding for support from the NDIS.

Before the NDIS, funding for SDA and supported independent living (SIL) were paid together. Under the NDIS, funding for your home and the supports you need have been separated. This means you can choose who you would like to provide your supports.

Read more about the difference between SDA and SIL funding.

The Summer Foundation have developed some resources for people who are eligible for SDA:

  1. The pathway to SDA
  2. SDA payments guide

The NDIS Find a Housemate Facebook page helps people with disability and their carers to connect with other NDIS participants who would like to live more independently.

Living independently

The Summer Foundation's My Housing Preferences Tool is a workbook you can use to help you to think about the type of house that might best meet your needs.

Household tasks

Some of the tasks you may need to do when you live on your own can include:

  • cooking and making meals
  • shopping
  • cleaning
  • washing your clothes.

Autism Launchpad has information and videos for people who would like to become more independent.

Money and budgeting

Learning about money and budgeting is an important part of living on your own.

  • Rent assistance may be available to people who receive a regular payment from Centrelink.
  • The bond loan scheme is an interest-free loan scheme that can help you pay your bond.
  • MoneySmart has a simple money manager tool that can help you to manage your money and plan for your expenses.
  • Centrepay is a free service you can use to help you pay your bills and expenses.
 

Staying safe

Disability Advisory Committee

The Moonee Valley Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) provides us with a forum to consult with community members and seek specialist advice around disability.

The DAC is comprised of a selection of people with disabilities, their family or carers, who represent a cross section of the local community and reside in different geographic locations across Moonee Valley.

The purpose of the DAC is to:

  • Provide advice to Council on issues relating to disability access, inclusion, communication, participation and advocacy.
  • Identify issues affecting people with a disability, and advocate, and promote an awareness and understanding of these within Council and the community.
  • Support and advise Council on the development and implementation of the Moonee Valley City Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2014-2023.
  • Provide staff with support and advice around the operational aspects of disability service delivery, future initiatives and overarching actions plans that relate to people with disability and our MV2040 strategy.

Community members are encourage to contact the DAC directly should they have any issues relating to access or inclusion, or suggestions around how to make Moonee Valley a more inclusive space for all community members.

The DAC can be contacted via email at mooneevalleyDAC@gmail.com or phone the Metro Access Officer on 9243 1405.