Is our community designed with you in mind?

Published on 08 December 2021

Have you ever really thought about how you move around your day? Mostly it’s on autopilot but when you drill down and think about how you access services, information, places, and spaces it becomes quite complex.
 
We’re starting to create a Universal Design Policy for life on our Peninsula. Universal Design is making products, environments, programs, and services equally accessible and usable for everyone.
 
Universal design features can include:

• Wide, even footpaths
• Step-free entrances
• Larger bathrooms
• More seating and rest areas
• Wide, automatic doors
• Clear signage with pictures and symbols
• Gender-neutral toilets
• Information in a range of formats
• Places and services where everyone feels welcome.

Who you are, how you go about your daily life, and what opportunities you have here on our Peninsula is important to us, and we want to understand how to make things better for everyone.
 
Our community consultation is now open and we want to hear from you.
 
Tell us about your own experiences and help influence the details we focus on when putting the Policy into practice.
 
We’ll be popping up at local markets, shops and beaches to ask you for feedback about the Policy and how we can consider everyone's needs through Universal Design.
 
Consultation closes on 16 February 2022.
 
To find out more and have your say online visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/universaldesign

Hard copy forms are also available on request at our Customer Service Centres.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh
 
“We’re so happy to be starting the conversation with our community about Universal Design; we want to ensure our Peninsula is inclusive and welcoming for all residents and visitors.
 
The Universal Design Policy responds to the diversity of human experience in our community, including disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, injury, illness, and occupation. It also recognises that an individual’s needs and abilities can vary throughout their life.”