THOMASTOWN RECREATION & AQUATIC CENTRE
DISABILITY ACTION PLAN
2014 – 2015
CONTENTS:
Page
2,3
4,5,6
7,8,9, 10
Review of current practices.
Results of consultation.
Summary of Outcomes
Actions to be Implemented
11
Monitoring, Evaluation & Review
Strategies
12
Communication of the plan
13,14
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Contents
DAP Evaluations
Review of Current Practices:
As part of the development of the TRAC disability action plan it was deemed necessary to firstly review TRAC’s current practices and gauge the experiences
of those with disability that currently use the facility. The consultation process will be undertaken yearly to ensure the document remains active and any
issues or barriers to accessibility are recognised and addressed on a periodic basis. This will help determine the possible gaps in services or facilities and
identify any barriers to the accessibility of the facility. This information was gathered in the form of a survey which was developed by management and
distributed throughout the community.
2014/15:
We are currently surveying our users to gauge any improvements that we can make within the centre or suggested activities which may be popular. The
results of these surveys will guide the adaptation of the plan moving into the 14-15 financial year.
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Undertake Consultation 13-14:
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Yes
3
No
2
No response
1
0
1
2
How accessible do
you find TRAC
Do you find staff
knowledgeable and
approachable
3
4
Do you currently Are there programs
utilize programs or
or services you
services within the
would like
facility
implemented
*Consultation was via a community consultation session at the centre and through an online survey available through the facilities website. In total 36
survey responses were gathered.
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Summary of Outcomes from the survey:

TRAC was deemed to be very accessible in all feedback that was received. The facility design was carefully thought through to cater to
people requiring high levels of accessibility and this is reflected in the results of the survey.

The vast majority of those surveyed described staff as being knowledgeable and approachable in their dealings with staff. There were some
comments in regards to some patrons feeling as though staff lacked general understanding of the requirements and the flexibility required
by those with disability.

The vast majority of those surveyed were either regular patrons or service providers or agencies that utilise the facility.

The majority of those surveyed expressed interest in seeing new programs introduced into the facility. These included:
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Modified Yoga/Pilates programs
Modified cycle programs
Basketball programs for people with disability
Football programs for people with disability
Dedicated times available for disabled patrons to sue the hydro/WW pools.
We are going to conduct another survey to see what the community would like to see more of. This will be done by June 2014. Below is the
survey we intend to use both online and by user groups already utilizing TRAC.
2014-15 Survey Results:
To be updated when available.
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Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this survey for Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre (TRAC). The staffs at TRAC are currently
planning to prepare a Disability Action Plan (DAP) and your feedback will assist us with developing the actions items to be contained within this document.
Name ___________________________________Date of Birth (Optional) ___________________________ __M/F
Organisation__________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________ _______Post Code ________________________
Contact Ph Number ___________________________________ Email ___________________________________
1. How accessible do you or your group find TRAC? Please list any existing facilities that you feel improve access and any facilities currently not
available that may assist you with accessibility in the future.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you find staff generally knowledgeable and approachable in the areas of disability and accessibility?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Are there programs or services at the facility that you currently utilize?
Yes/no (Please Circle)
If so, please list these:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________ _________________________________________________________________
4. Are there programs/services you would like to see introduced that are currently not available at TRAC? If so please list these. Is there anything
further you would like to add?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THANKYOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COMPLETE OUR SURVEY 
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Actions to be implemented to address gaps in service:
Issue Identified
General lack of staff
understanding surrounding
access requirements and
flexibility in providing services.
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Actions to be implemented to address issue
TRAC staff to continue with the Disability Awareness
Training Program supplied by Whittlesea Council and
third party providers.
Status
In discussion with council to organise
another disability training session.
Staff responsible
Program coordinator

Upon completion of the basic awareness program, a
more comprehensive program will be conducted with a
3rd party training provider that will tackle more in-depth
issues in the area of disability for key staff members and
management.
We had scope out to do a training
session in 2013
Program coordinator

The TRAC DAP to be made publicly available to both
patrons and staff throughout the facility and on the
website. This will help demonstrate management’s
commitment to accommodating those with disabilities
and provide greater awareness of the current gaps in
service and the expectations moving forward.
Once updated we will put the DAP
up on the web page and re new
copies through the facility.
Centre Manager

Staff activities will be scheduled for the management
teams regular TTT (TRAC Team Talk) whereby staff will
be blindfolded and try to navigate their way around the
facility and participate in other such activities. This will
be a fun and interactive way of raising awareness within
the staff team of the challenges faced by people with
disabilities who visit the facility.
Activities have been conducted as
part of our TTT meetings with key
personnel. Scope training completed
in 2013 as well.
Program coordinator

Staff to undertake mental health training within an
organisation such as SANE.
Training undertaken 2013 with scope Centre Manager

Agency was unable to take
photographs of their clients in
the aquatics area
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
Improve companion card access systems and educations
programs throughout the facility via staff inductions,
training and regular staff meetings (TTT).
Key staff will have an updated
training session.
Program Coordinator

All parties to investigate training providers for modified
exercise programs to assist with staff education in this
area.
Training opportunities to be
identified
Health Club
Coordinator

Implementation and staff training of the hearing loop
system. Also include training sessions in TTT.
Implemented. Ongoing for new staff
Operations Manager

Induction documentation to include explanations of
TRAC’s current accessible features to give staff a better
understanding of their use and purpose from the outset.
To be implemented as part of
employment packs
Administration
Coordinator

TRAC currently has a blanket policy of no cameras being
allowed in the aquatics areas due to the sensitive nature
of the area and to ensure the comfort and privacy of all
patrons. There is however the opportunity to make prior
arrangements with management to get once off
exemptions from the rule. We would encourage agencies
or patrons wishing to take photographs of their clients to
make prior arrangements and get the go ahead from
management prior to the day they wish to take
photographs.
TRAC has spoken to groups to advise
them that a photo consent form
need to filled out prior to photos
being taken
Program coordinator

TRAC will look to implement communication boards for
areas of casual aquatic/gym entry and the concession
membership options available for those wanting to
regularly access these areas. Communication boards will
also be developed and implemented to cover the
products offered by TRAC Café for those with vision
impairment.
Reception in place. Aquatics office
and cafe to be implemented.
Operations Manager

The hearing loop system to be more thoroughly
implemented and advertised throughout the facility.
Staff to be shown the operation of this facility and
associated devices so that communication issues for
those with hearing impairments can be addressed.
Implemented with ongoing re-visits
required.
Operations Manager

The awareness training will also address staff uncertainly
of how to interact and assist those patrons with disability
utilising the facility.
Ongoing training liaising with council
Operations Manager
After running classes for 6 weeks
April/May 2013 the average
numbers were 2. Program
discontinued.
Health Club
Coordinator
Program Coordinator
Communication difficulties
between patrons and staff
Gaps in programming and
services identified
Some of the suggestions as identified by patrons and support
agencies include:

Modified Yoga/Pilates programs: 2014
TRAC will endeavour to run a modified program by June
2014 and advertise the program to current service
providers within the facility and throughout council’s
relevant contacts and departments.
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
Modified Zumba programs
TRAC will aim to link with a local service provider to
conduct a once a week dance class for all abilities. We
will endeavour to do this by June 2014.

Health club
coordinator
Completed
Programs coordinator
Dedicated times available for disabled patrons to use
the hydro/WW pools.
Most facilities within TRAC are in high demand with the
local Thomastown community. The various areas that
make up TRAC are all available for hire (subject to
availability), by community groups or individuals alike.
Note:
TRAC will commit to running these programs for the period of a
term to give them every opportunity to become sustainable both
in terms of attendance and financial considerations. TRAC
management will not run any programs long term that is not
sustainable in all respects long term.
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Classes run every Friday and have
numbers around 20-30 patrons
ongoing.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Review Strategies:

TRAC management will review action items periodically to determine if the proposed outcomes are being achieved and to what extent. Interim
plans may need to be put in at these times to overcome any barriers to the plans being implemented.

Throughout the implementation of the TRAC Disability Action Plan, TRAC will actively encourage and promote feedback on its implementation
throughout the facility and the goals it is achieving. Surveys will provide a benchmark on the progress of the implementation of the DAP and the
experience of users throughout the facility. If there is improvement in the areas of general feedback and there is a reduction in the gaps in service
demonstrated within this surveying process, then measureable improvements in TRAC's accessibility will have been demonstrated and achieved.
We have organised another survey to determine and compare results with last year. We will approach current user groups we currently have
utilizing TRAC to get additional feedback. Results will be published within the DAP as they become available.
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Communication of the Plan:
The plan will be communicated to interested parties by a number of methods including:
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Hard copies featuring in prominent locations throughout the facility including reception and departmental offices.
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Available via facility website and advertised through facilities social media avenues.
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Advertised through facilities monthly e-newsletter that is made available to 3,500 members of the facility.

Updates of progress and developments to be included in facility operational reports supplied to council.

Advertised through common staff areas, noticeboards and memo facilities.

Regular updates provided to the TRAC management team via TTT discussions.

Plan to be supplied to access departments and contacts within council to assist with distributing the plan throughout their substantial
networks.
TRAC 2013/2014 DAP evaluation:
Increase of participants/groups with a disability accessing the centre: Since implementing TRAC’s first ever Disability Action Plan on 1st July 2012 many
new user groups and programs have commenced within the centre. Some of these include:
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Social Links – gym, swim, aerobics 13/14
Frontier
NEAMI - modified health and social activity program 13/14
MIND - modified health and social activity program13/14
DVSDS – Water Safety
BAPTCARE - Modified Swimming Lessons
Anglicare – Modified Swimming Lessons
St John of God – Mod Zumba/Aero
Australian Diabetes Council (BEAT IT) 13/14
Northern School Autism - learn to swim program
Concorde special school – group activities
Northern hospital – Liz Wallace bringing in clients to experience the facilities.13/14
North star employment modified gym program 13/14
Plenty valley community health 13/14
Any measurable changes in staff attitudes:
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Disability related staff activities conducted during TTT was well received and educational.
Modifications to staff induction procedures made to include information on TRAC’s accessible features.
All staff in-house disability awareness training conducted.
Positive feedback from patrons/groups:
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Social Links are now using TRAC as the main facility for their activity programs. The ongoing staff training provided for modified classes such as Zumba,
and Learn to Swim have been very successful and positive feedback has been received.
North star employment now have modified gym sessions once a week
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Improvements in physical access:
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Implementation of the TRAC hearing loop system. Implemented 2013
Staff training around the Companion Card Access system including updating the Companion Card stickers and display at the entry. Implemented 2013
Braille facility maps reviewed and updated. Council will need to update Braille board at the entrance as they have put stickers as opposed to a raised
board.
Hand-rail installed around the perimeter of the hydro pool. Implemented early 2014
New toilet roll holders installed in accessible change rooms throughout the facility to improve accessibility. Implemented 2013
All staff in house disability awareness training. Working with council
New beds in accessible change rooms implemented early 2014
TRAC 2013/2014 DAP evaluation: To be provided at conclusion of 14/15 financial year with a summary of outcomes.
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