Melbourne Mobility Centre - which will provide services and equipment to help people get around the city more easily - has opened at Federation Square. A City of Melbourne initiative, the centre will be an integral part of the transport network and provide easier and improved access for people with disabilities, older people and those with temporary disabilities.

Features of the new centre include:

• Equipment for hire including motorised wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, spare crutches and canes for the vision impairedTwo fully accessible toilets; information for people with mobility and sensory disabilities TTY telephone and accessible web accessScooter battery re-charge facilities Accessible kitchenette; and
• Volunteer-driven commissionaire services including companion services, transfer services and 'meet-and-greet' services.

The centre is on the first floor of the Federation Square Car Park.

A Mobility Map is produced annually by the City of Melbourne and Melway Publishing and a copy of the map is printed in each edition of the Melway Street Directory. The information on the map is checked annually by the City of Melbourne and Melway.

For more information on the Melbourne Mobility Centre call 9650 6499, TTY
650 9525 or visit www.accessmelbourne.vic.gov.au

About 250,000 frail aged, Veterans and people with disabilities throughout Australia will have access to a low cost Internet service thanks to a partnership arrangement negotiated by Technical Aid to the Disabled Australia.

Access to the Internet for $5.50 per month for people with disabilities:

• unlimited downloads
• no setup fees
• no annual fees
• local call anywhere in Australia and
• flexible contract period. 

Click on http://tadaustconnect.org.au/Register.php and register.

Details of the partnership between the ACT branch TADACT, and the Victorianbased Internet services provider ISPOne were announced on Friday 20th May in a joint statement by the ACT Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, John Hargreaves and ACT Liberal senator, Gary Humphries.

The partnership will enable frail aged, veterans and people with disabilities to go online at the vastly cheaper rate of only $5.50 a month. Such Internet services usually cost $30 to $40 a month.

Access to the internet will also enable them to contact banks and government services, explore education and job opportunities, communicate common concerns, join support groups or learn more about their disabilities, said John O'Neill, Executive Director of Technical Aid to the Disabled in the ACT.

"Normally the cost of such access is beyond the reach of many of people with disabilities, Veterans and the frail aged and their carers. However, this agreement will provide a wonderful new range of opportunities for people to improve their quality of life and their independence," he said.

The dial-up service to be provided by ISPOne includes no setup fee, unlimited downloads and flexible contract arrangements. "It will be fully supported and available to people with a Disability Services Pension, a DVA Entitlement Pension and an Aged Pension Card," O'Neill said.

Technical Aid to the Disabled is a national organisation that together with health care professionals assesses the needs of the frail aged and people with disabilities in order to design aids that will improve their independence. The only costs incurred are those involving materials.

"Our sincere thanks to ISPOne, the ACT department of Disability, Housing and Community Service and Telstra," said O'Neill. "Their kind support will make a world of difference to the lives of thousands of Australians."

For more information contact: TADACT on 02 6287 4290.

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