Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting applications from local businesses and community organisations for the current funding round of the Building Disability Inclusive Businesses and Community Organisations, which is open until 14 September 2018.

The funding is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Community Building Program of RuralAccess and supported by Council.

The grant money can be spent on a variety of projects that assist with increasing the number of people with a disability accessing your business or community organisation as customers, visitors, members or employees.

To be eligible for this funding, your business or community organisations must:

• Be located in Bass Coast
• Develop a simple plan of intended actions to improve access and inclusion for people with a disability
• Work in partnership with Council’s Community Facilitator – RuralAccess

Examples of potential projects could include:

• Improvements to physical access (ramps, signage, accessible toilets, illuminate nosing strips for stairs, colour contrasting paint for way-finding etc.)
• Engage a consultant to deliver Disability Awareness Training at your next team/staff meeting
• Create and print large print menus, flyers or promotions for people with vision impairment
• Take part in a Communication Access Assessment to become more accessible for people with complex communication needs
• Develop a disability action plan
• Any other idea that you think will help people with a disability access your business/organisation better

For more information visit our website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/accessfunding or contact Hayley Edwards, Social and Community Planning Officer on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or via the National Relay Service 13 35 77or www.relayservice.gov.au (for people with communication difficulties) or email hayley.edwards@basscoast.vic.gov.au