Australian Study Trip

Wendy Brewin

Introduction

Earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to spend a month in Australia on a study trip. Bags were packed and I was off before anyone could say “Here’s your ticket and have a great…”

It was a mad month! travelling to various cities (Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns to be precise) meeting people involved in removing or reducing barriers to access, and visiting several public open spaces to see how access is being addressed. My travelling companion was Phil Hunter, a Trustee of the Sensory Trust.

I thought it might be useful to share information on the people that we met and to give a flavour of some of the places that I visited. This could take some time as I’m never known to be at a loss for words, hence the article will be in two parts.

Perth

This was my first stop in Australia. A friend had put me in touch with a lecturer at Murdoch University, Dr. Susan Moore, in the School of Environmental Science. Phil and I went to visit her to chat about the work of the Sensory Trust and to find out what work was being done within her department.

Murdoch University

We met Susan along with two of her colleagues: Dr David Newsome and Dr. Amanda Smith.

Both Susan and David are Senior Lecturers within the School of Environmental Science at the university, whilst Amanda is working there for three years as a post-doctoral research fellow. They are involved in the area of ‘nature-based tourism’, including using local knowledge in environmental management and visitor use of protected areas; the impact of tourism in protected areas and the environmental impact of tourism in nature reserves and parks. Both Susan and David have also written several publications on the subject.

We discussed the familiar situation of trying to balance the improvement of access to the natural environment for a wider audience alongside conserving its landscape and ecosystem. They have carried out on-site user surveys addressing people’s perceptions of the environment as well as what recreational activities people use the natural spaces for. Phil and I then talked about how the Sensory Trust works with managers and owners of open space to address the problem and the various tools that we use to consult with community and disability groups. Our approach to inclusive design appeared to be similar to their philosophy of, and commitment to, inclusion.

They provided us with further contacts that they felt might prove useful in increasing our connections in Australia. One being the Place Research Network, based at the University of Tasmania, which is a network of researchers and other individuals who share information, analysis and discussion on the concept of ‘place’. The network links across subjects such as architecture, sociology, design, computing, geography and philosophy and encourages exploration of what is conceived of as ‘a place’, whether it be mind, body, urban, cultural, social or virtual. The Sensory Trust has since joined this network and hopes this will lead to some positive links and exchanges.

Place study: QV1 Tower, Perth

The QV1 tower is in the Central Business District (CBD) of Perth. Actually, it was the open plaza on the north side of the tower that caught my attention.

Most of this outdoor social space is dominated by a water feature. A waterfall cascades over from a pond on the upper plaza into a shallow pool below which lies level with the ground. The pool itself is curved (it resembles a giant speech bubble) and is surrounded by huge palm trees and shaded areas providing seating and tables. The pool itself is surrounded by a small ‘moat’ into which the pool flows.

On the day that I was there, there were very few people using the space. The chairs had been removed from around the tables which didn’t encourage anyone to stop and linger. However, I was drawn to the pool and waterfall instantly as I wandered past (I hadn’t gone with the intention of seeing this place initially). There is something about water that attracts most people. I’ve never really been able to put my finger on it; it could be the various sounds it makes or the fact that it’s very tactile – few people can resist putting their fingers or toes into water! Or even that the reflections it producing of its surrounding environment somehow makes a space feel bigger, like you’re getting two for the price of one.

I spent some time here wandering around the pool, taking shade under the palm trees, leaning against a table staring up at the vast height of the building itself. It was like an oasis surrounded by the bustling city streets.

Further images of this area and the building can be found on the architects’ website: www.seidler.net.au/projects/026b.html

Fremantle

South of Perth, the coastal town of Fremantle lies at the mouth of the Swan River. It is a working commercial port with its own fleet of fishing boats; the harbour area is popular with visitors.

Access onto the wooden harbour area is via an accessible boardwalk. The design is circular, allowing for small short steps down the centre, surrounded by a long, curved slope on one side and a shorter, straight ramp on the other, giving people the option to choose which section is easiest for them.

The boardwalk takes you to the memorial jetty erected on behalf of fishermen lost at sea. Tall wooden columns display the names of each fisherman lost – around 600 in total – on individual name plaques. It was difficult to read some of the names due to the brightly polished plaques reflecting in the sunlight. Two life-size bronze sculptures of fishermen also form part of the memorial. They are within reach of any visitor and can be experience in a tactile as well as visual way.

Whilst wandering around Fremantle, I came across a trail set in the pavement which curves its way along the sea front then through the town. Small red bricks, standing out from the grey of the pavement squares, mark out the trail, disappearing and appearing again on the opposite side of the road. Dotted with images of fish, sea horses, starfish it is one of several trails around Fremantle, this one being the maritime heritage trail.

Melbourne

Scope Victoria

In Melbourne I caught up with Mandy Williams, an Occupational Therapist working for Scope Victoria, in their Communication Resource Centre (CRC). I'd first met her in the UK last year during her own study trip.

The CRC aims to increase community awareness and to help people with communication difficulties integrate with their local and wider community. They do this by developing a series of communication tools using symbols, pictures and photographs instead of text, as forms of communication. These are then incorporated into posters, cards, small books etc and displayed in libraries, doctors/dentists surgeries, shops, cafes and local supermarkets. By doing this, they empower people with complex communication needs to make their own decisions and take control of their daily lives.

They have developed 3 communication aids: alphabet, word and picture boards (these can be downloaded from the Scope website - www.scopevic.org.au) which have also been translated into Italian and Mandarin (among the main communities in Victoria).

Other projects include the Communication Friendly Towns project (currently still in its trial stage). This is a project that will help service providers and recreational organisations develop a better understanding of the needs of people with complex communication needs.

They use Boardmaker symbols (pictographic communication tools not unlike the Widgit symbols that we use) as well as photographs for communication and have worked successfully with businesses in their area to promote the use of these tools.

During my day with them, I was introduced to the C.A.R.M. section (Communication Aids and Resource Materials) where they produce these communication tools using the Boardmaker software. I also spoke to Karen Bloomberg, another member of the CRC team. Karen has over 30 years of experience working with children and adults who have complex communication needs, beginning with a severe communication outreach programme in schools: mainstream, special needs and special development schools (children with high support needs). Her role within the CRC team is to resolve signage issues for people with communication difficulties. We spoke about the importance of communication aids in involving people with severe communication difficulties in consultation; as in the work that I do within the Sensory Trust. I hope to be able to develop some portable tools that we can use in future consultations with people.

I learned about some of the projects that the team has been working on.

Other sources of information on communication tools: www.talkingmats.com (talking mats have been developed by Joan Murphy at Stirling University, Scotland).
Hemera (www.hemera.com) - thousands of photo objects which can be downloaded and used for communication. Also allows people to access shopping via the internet, through using these images.

Federation Square

Federation Square sits in the heart of Melbourne. Opened in 2002, its a large piazza area, surrounded by modern (some glassed) buildings such as the Ian Potter Centre, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Melbourne Visitor Centre.

In the short time I spent there, I saw friends meeting, people sitting and reading, having lunch in one of the several cafes and bars dotted around the square or just people-watching for a short while. A huge television screen watches over the main part of the square displaying images that relate to the exhibitions and concerts in the surrounding arts precinct or simply capturing unsuspecting people as they pass by.

The square is big enough to host various events throughout the year. According to one website, it can accommodate up to 15,000 people at an open-air event.

It’s a short walk from Federation Square to Birrarung Marr, a park situated alongside the river. I won’t dwell on Birrarung Marr, it’s been more than adequately covered by Jo Easingwood in our newsletter of September 2005. (See article)

Walking along the edge of Birrarung Marr, next to the river, there was an amazing sight of a whole procession of brightly-coloured metallic fish floating on small pontoons along the centre of the river. These had all been installed ready for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (typically due to begin after I’d left!). Each country is represented by a different fish. Although not yet ready for the games, the fish are still popular with locals and visitors walking the river banks and reading the interpretation panels that describe each fish and its link with the country.

Read Part 2 in the next Making Sense newsletter.

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