Relationships Australia NT office buildings have recently undergone several improvements in both Darwin and Alice Springs to ensure they are more inclusive for people living with a disability.
These improvements were made after an accessibility and inclusion audit by specialist consultants, Get Skilled Access. Get Skilled Access, founded by Dylan Alcott, specialise in disability & access for corporations & governments.
Based on the recommendations made by Get Skilled Access, the Darwin office saw a complete re-design of the main client reception area. This included a new large open desk which includes a cut-away section enabling better access for clients utilising wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The innovative design specifically focused on dignified access for those with a disability.
The existing manually operated main entrance door in Alice Springs was upgraded to electronically opening doors. The existing doors created accessibility issues for people living with mobility disabilities. The new electronic doors also include Tactile Ground Surface Indicators for vision-impaired clients.
Other non-physical improvements were also identified to remove further barriers for clients with a disability. A particular area of focus was improving the client experience across the Northern Territory which led to several initiatives including a single territory-wide phone number, standardised opening hours across all offices and centralised intake for access to counselling and mediation services.
