Recreation for People with Disabilities – Sports and Leisure

The City of Yarra is committed to improving the health and well being of all residents and visitors to the municipality. As part of this commitment, there is a dedicated Access for All Abilities Officer whose task is to improve both the opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in community sport and recreation and sports and recreation clubs looking to become more inclusive.

What is Access for All Abilities?

Access All Abilities (AAA) is a Victorian Government initiative coordinated by Sports and Recreation Victoria whose role is to develop inclusive sports and recreation opportunities for people with disability. Working within the Leisure Services branch at the City of Yarra, AAA is a great resource for people, local clubs and associations.

AAA is committed to the following principles:

• Promoting awareness of the benefits of active participation
• Providing support for inclusive sport and recreation environments
• Influence the planning and development of accessible and inclusive sport and recreation environments
• Fostering and developing partnerships to enhance access and inclusion in the sport and recreation sector

How can AAA Yarra help you?

AAA works with local sporting clubs, leisure facilities, State Sporting Associations and individuals wishing to become more inclusive and accessible to the whole community.   

Local Sports Club and Associations

As a provider of sports and recreation in the municipality the AAA Officer is able to provide the following services and support

• Access to information, resources and training on how to include people with disabilities
• Advice and support in planning and implementing inclusive initiatives
• Support to develop these initiatives into ongoing sustainable programs
• Assistance in promoting inclusive initiatives to an extensive network of services and individuals
• Assistance and support in applying for grants and funding opportunities
• Assistance and support for running clinics and Come & Try activities

People with Disability

Our goal to get people of all abilities into more activities and engaged with the community means that AAA can help you find a suitable club or activity for your needs.
AAA is also interested in hearing about what you would like to take part in and help link you into the right club or program.

Current programs include:

Swimming for children with hearing impairment
AAA Swimming Lessons
Hit & Miss Tennis at Mayors Park

The AAA Officer also keeps a listing of accessible programs and activities which are happening in surrounding areas, so if it’s not happening in the City of Yarra but you would like to know what’s available please call.

Programs Include:
Riding for the disabled
Sailability
Basketball
Netball

Grants and Assistance

The City of Yarra provide grants throughout the year to assist both sportspeople with a disability and clubs who are wanting to become more inclusive.

For Athletes:
Sports assistance funding is available upto $500 for City of Yarra residents with a disability to help offset the costs of travelling and competing at state, national or international level.

For Clubs and Associations
Both community grants and team support grants are available  

Access All Abilities at Yarra Leisure

Yarra Leisure facilities are great places to improve your health and fitness. As well as providing swimming and gym programs, Yarra Leisure also run group programs including:

Living Longer Living Stronger
Community Membership Program
Women Making Waves

A dedicated Community Development Officer is also available to help link you into the right program or activity, give you a tour of the centres and help people fully benefit from the great facilities on offer at Yarra Leisure. 

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Further information

Peter Mitten
Access For All Abilities & Program Development Officer
Fitzroy Town Hall
Napier Street, Fitzroy

Telephone 9205 5756
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site

Swimming lessons for Children with a hearing impairment

Access All Abilities Swimming Lessons

Women making waves

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)

• Disability Online Victoria Funded by Department of Human Services
• www.sport.vic.gov.au
• www.disabilitynews.infoxchange.net.au
• www.specialolympics.com.au

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214

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