Access Recreation:

Access Recreation: Living Better Lives

Who we are

Access Recreation is an independent, non-profit organisation which has been serving the people of Rockhampton and district since 1989. A voluntary Board of Management is responsible for the stewardship of the organisation. The organisation's primary income is funding from Disability Services Queensland, although regular fundraising efforts are required throughout the year to meet the agency's annual budget.

Access Recreation Inc. is:

Who we serve

Access Recreation serves people with disabilities.  Eligibility criteria will vary dependent upon which service is sought.

DSQ funded services (Leisure Lifestyles & Lifeworks)

Geographic range Rockhampton and Surrounding Areas
Age range 5 - 65
Disabilities

Defined by Disability Services Act 2006 (Part 1, Division 3, Section 11)

A disability is a person's condition that:

(a) is attributable to-

(i) an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment; or

(ii) a combination of impairments mentioned in subparagraph (i); and

(b) results in-

(i) a substantial reduction of the person's capacity for communication, social interaction, learning, mobility or self care or management; and

(ii) the person needing support.

(2) For subsection (1), the impairment may result from an acquired brain injury.

(3) The disability must be permanent or likely to be permanent.

(4) The disability may be, but need not be, of a chronic episodic nature.

Self funded services (POLO & Access For All)

Geographic range

Rockhampton and Surrounding Areas

Age range 3 +
Disabilities The target audience for this service does not necessarily have to have a formal diagnosis of disability but one of the following does need to apply:
  • The  person is in receipt of a Disability Support Pension, or
  • The person is recognised as having a disability by a professional working in the disability or health sectors, or
  • The person is recognised as having a disability by an officer of standing from a Commonwealth or State government department which has a portfolio responsibility which includes direct services to people with disabilities, or referral onwards to an appropriate disability service provider, or
  • The person is understood to experience significant vulnerability because of their chronic health condition or social circumstances, in combination with the absence of (or limited) informal support options via family or friends, or the absence of formal support options via a service provider which can appropriately address the person's needs.

What we do

Access Recreation provides community linking and participation services for people with disabilities by providing 5 separate services:

  1. Leisure Lifestyles  
  2. Lifeworks  
  3. POLO  
  4. Access For All
  5. Meeting Room Hire

Access Recreation also undertakes a range of community development activities including lobbying for improved physical and social access into public buildings and facilities, and better transport options for people with disabilities. Redress of various barriers to equal participation by people with disabilities is sought by Access Recreation in conjunction with other allies who are also working to achieve better lives for people with disabilities.

Access Recreation employs local people to support local people.  The organisation also has a strong commitment to participating in the local economy, and conducts all its business in the local region. 

How we do it

Trained staff members work individually with people with disabilities, assisting them to develop an individual plan which details that person's personal lifestyle goals. This plan may include goals for which Access Recreation will refer onwards to another agency for that person's assistance. All people's individual plans are reviewed on a regular basis.

The goals that Access Recreation primarily focuses on assist people to achieve valued social roles and meaningful, freely-given relationships with their non- disabled peers. The focus is squarely on the acquisition of skills and the participation in recreation activities and community life. 

Access Recreation embraces the theory of Social Role Valorisation (SRV) [link to SRV] which heightens our understanding of social devaluation and gives us strategies to achieving valued social roles by enhancing one's image and competencies.  We do this by practicing integration, or inclusion as it's become more commonly known. 

What we don't do

Access Recreation recognises that all people are different and that we all have vastly different interests and needs.

We also recognise that our organisation is best equipped to help people who want to advance their personal skills and independence, whilst also enhancing their social image and relationships. So, we are very committed to ensuring that our services are integrally developmental in nature.

Access Recreation does not have a "centre" nor does it conduct group (or special) activities. Rather, we work person to person in the community on a regular basis to help them to achieve their agreed goals. Some of the things our agency doesn't formally do but will refer onwards to an appropriate agency: