Access resources

Support resources for inclusive visits

Social Stories, Sensory Guides, and Communication Boards are now available across a range of community facilities on the Mornington Peninsula.

These resources reflect our commitment to making public spaces more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone. Their rollout is part of the Shire’s ongoing work guided by the We All Belong Strategy 2024 - 2029 and Universal Design Policy, ensuring that all members of our community can participate fully and confidently in local life.

Access keys

Access Keys are visual and text-based guides that provide convenient information about accessing a particular experience, event, facility, or program. They are professionally prepared by Access Ability Australia and designed with universal design principles in mind. This means they are suitable for a wide range of people, including those with disability.

Access Keys are a great tool for encouraging independence and participation as they provide accurate information that helps visitors to:

  • understand what to expect from a venue, event, or program ahead of time
  • determine the suitability of a venue, event, or program
  • interpret circumstances or conditions while attending the venue, event, or program.

For instance, if a room is likely to have to loud sounds (e.g., from announcements or people) or there’s a change in ground surface or smells (e.g., from hand sanitiser), Access Key users will know what to expect in advance and can decide whether to participate.

Access Keys often include information such as navigational instructions on getting to a chosen venue or event, parking, layout, access in and around a venue or event, reception/ticketing locations and services, identification of staff by uniform, toilets (including specifications), food and beverage services, programming, experiences, and accessible offerings, plus much more.

Some Access Keys will also include, or accompany, a communication board. This is a resource that displays contextualised symbols to help people with communication challenges express themselves. The user can gesture, point to, or blink at symbols express their needs, interact with others, and build and maintain relationships with staff. Importantly, communication boards also help visitors to be active and involved in making choices for the products and services on offer.

Rosebud Library

Download: Rosebud Library Access Key - Full Colour(PDF, 8MB)
Download: Rosebud Library Access Key - Text Only(DOCX, 59KB)

Mornington Peninsula Regional Library

Download: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery Access Key - Full Colour(PDF, 6MB)
Download: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery Access Key - Text Only(DOCX, 45KB)


We also have 3D guides of all our hireable spaces on our Venues for Hire page.

Social Stories and Sensory Guides

Social Stories are tools designed to help individuals prepare for and feel at ease during visits. These stories present important aspects of a library visit in a simple, engaging, and accessible way. To get the most out of them, we recommend reviewing the Social Stories in a calm, distraction-free environment at least two weeks before a visit. They are ideal for supporting understanding and reducing anxiety.

Sensory Resource Guides help prepare visitors for social interactions and sensory experiences at the library. These guides provide clear explanations of common social situations, why they happen, and what responses may be expected — making visits more predictable and comfortable.

Available Social Stories and Sensory Guides

Download: Using a computer at Hastings Library(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Sensitive Storytime at Mornington Library(PDF, 940KB)
Download: A visit to Rosebud Library(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Borrowing items at Somerville Library(PDF, 1MB)
Download: A visit to Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery(PDF, 12MB)

Communication Boards

Communication Boards are designed to support inclusive interactions for all visitors. Customized with symbols that reflect our library services, they help individuals:

  • Express their needs
  • Interact with others
  • Build relationships with staff
  • Make informed choices about services and resources

Watch a guide on how to use a Communication Board

 

Communication Boards are available at the following locations

Download: Hastings Library - Communication Board(PDF, 156KB)
Download: Mornington Library - Communication Board(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Rosebud Library - Communication Board(PDF, 160KB)
Download: Somerville Library - Communication Board(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Mornington Community House - Communication Board(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Mount Martha Community House - Communication Board(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery - Communication Board(PDF, 890KB)
Download: Mornington Peninsula Visitor Centre - Communication Board(PDF, 860KB)
Download: Mornington Peninsula Visitor Centre - Wayfinding Communication Board(PDF, 1MB)

Access guides

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all and have accessible features at our Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre.

Download: Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre - Access Guide(PDF, 1MB)