People with access needs all over Melbourne have welcomed the release of the

Travelling Chair www.travellingchair.net 

an online social network that encourages people to share reviews about accessibility at all kinds of premises from bars and restaurants to cinemas, retail stores and a variety of businesses that people with disabilities may want to access.

Travellingchair.net was developed by Grit Media, the organization behind the community television series No Limits in response to a lack of good up to date information about accessible venues.

“Last year we were trying to organize our Christmas party and had real trouble finding out which bars were accessible and which weren’t,” says Project Manager Naomi Chainey. “It seems such an obvious idea but no one else was doing it, so we thought we’d better take it on.”

With the help of a grant from VicHealth, Grit Media has created a simple but effective website that can give people the information they need such as: is there ramp access? How wide is the front door? Is there an accessible toilet? What are the acoustics like? The site is linked to Google Maps and can be used all over the world, and in fact early reviews have flooded in about venues in Paris as well as Melbourne.

Chief Executive Officer of Grit Media Sarah Barton says “It’s early days for the site and we really need people to get on board and start reviewing so we have a broad selection of accessible venues for people to choose from. Once people become part of this online hub and the site really gets active, then it will be a great resource for people with access needs, from wheelchair users to people with hearing and vision impairments. At the moment we’re focusing our attention on Melbourne and surrounding areas but there’s no reason it can’t go global – communities all over the world can sign into the site and add reviews of their own local venues. It has enormous potential.”

For more information call Sarah Barton 0419 584 898 or email sarah@gritmedia.org.au
www.travellingchair.net  www.gritmedia.org.au