Access and inclusion initiatives

The City of Stirling makes every effort to accommodate your individual needs in order to access our facilities, services, events and information regardless of your age, disability or cultural background.

Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Initiative

The City is now a participant of the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Initiative, which helps to support and raise awareness of those living with a hidden disability. In Australia and New Zealand, 1 in 5 people are said to have a disability and 85% of these are hidden.

Established in 2016, The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme is about helping people with disabilities that are not immediately obvious such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual or hearing impairment, and assist them in attaining the understanding, patience and assistance needed when going about their daily lives.

Under the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, community members with hidden disabilities can choose to wear a lanyard, pin or wristband bearing a sunflower logo as a subtle way of letting City staff know that they may require additional support, assistance, or a bit more time when visiting City facilities.

Sunflower lanyards, pins and wristbands are available to customers for free at City or Stirling Libraries and the Administration Centre.

In addition to making the Sunflower lanyards, pins and wristbands available to community members with a hidden disability, customer-facing City staff are receiving training to identify the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to better support our customers who may require additional help.

For more information, please contact the Social Impact and Policy team accessandinclusion@stirling.wa.gov.au

Changing places

Changing Places are bathrooms that are secure, clean, and specifically designed for people with disabilities who need space and assistance to manage their bathroom needs while out in the community. They include an adult-sized, height-adjustable change table, ceiling hoist, peninsular toilet, shower with seat, and space for two people to assist the person using the Changing Place.

The City has two Changing Places at Scarborough Beach. One is located in Scarborough Beach Pool and is accessible to any patron using the pool facilities.

The second is located at Scarborough Beach, beside the Surf Club. This facility is locked using the Master Locksmith Association Key (MLAK) system. Using this system helps keep the Changing Places network secure, safe, and reserved for people who need them, while still allowing people with disabilities 24/7 access.

If you are a support worker, carer, or someone with high support needs who does not have a Companion Card or an MLAK key, please visit the Scarborough Pool reception to borrow the MLAK key.

In addition to the City’s Changing Places at Scarborough Beach, there are two Changing Places located in the Karrinyup Shopping Centre. Please contact the Karrinyup Shopping Centre for more information.

To learn about Changing Places Facilities please visit the Changing Places website.

Beach access

The City of Stirling has two beach wheelchairs available for the public to hire for free at our premier tourist destination, Scarborough Beach.

To book either beach wheelchairs, please ensure you read the beach wheelchair safety use and instructions (below) before making a booking.

The City has a Freewheeler Beach Wheelchair and a Mobi Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair.

• Mobi Chair Floating Chair Safety
• Freewheeler Safety
• Book Mobi Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair
• Book Freewheeler Beach Wheelchair

Please also consider general safety

All Participants and carers are responsible for their own safety and must be aware of the following guidelines.

All universal beach rules must be followed at all times. These include:

• Swim between the yellow/red flags
• Sun safe message: 'slip, slop, slap'
• The beach is a public place, and therefore all other patrons' rights must be respected

On sand

• Care must be taken when using the wheelchair over uneven or unsteady ground
• Care should be taken in hot weather as the metal frame and armrests can heat up and lead to burns
• It is recommended to transfer on flat ground for increased stability
• Users should not try this product on their own. It is designed to be pushed by someone other than the person sitting in it
• The wheelchair may become unstable if the user has a disability that creates excessive movement or rocking motions
• The wheelchair is not designed to move up and down stairs whilst loaded

In water

• If entering the water and you are unable to swim, you must be accompanied at all times
• It is advisable to wear a life jacket and follow all surf lifesaving instructions, such as entering the water in a patrolled swimming area
• By taking the wheelchair into deeper water, it must be noted that the wheelchair will float and become unstable, requiring considerable effort in controlling its stability
• The wheelchair may become unstable if the user has a disability that creates excessive movement or rocking motions
• Caution needs to be taken in environments where there is a chance of wave action, as unexpected movement of the chair is a risk factor for users
• Wave patterns, wind strength, type of beach, and underwater formations can all affect the use of the chair

Be safe and enjoy the beach!

The beach wheelchair is stored in a cabinet on the Scarborough Beach foreshore - lower level. To access the beach wheelchair, a free booking must be made. Please ensure you read the beach wheelchair safety use and instructions prior to booking.

The beach wheelchair cabinet is accessed using a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). As part of your hire of the beach wheelchair, you are welcome to store your existing wheelchair in the lockable cabinet while you use the beach wheelchair.

If you are a Companion Card holder, you can receive a free key from the National Disability Services (NDS).

If you do not have your own key, you can access one from the Scarborough Beach Pool Reception during business hours.

People with a disability are able to purchase a MLAK that will open all doors, toilets, playground equipment, and other facilities fitted with a lock that uses the special MLAK cylinder. For further information, visit the Master Locksmiths website.

Where do I go?

The beach wheelchair cabinet can be found at the bottom of the stairs at Scarborough Esplanade. View the map below to find out more.

As part of your beach wheelchair booking, you are entitled to access a restricted accessible parking bay. The bay is accessed via the C-Breeze Kiosk carpark, northern end, and then drive across the boardwalk into the restricted area. This parking is limited to your booking time only.

Accessible parking bays

There are multiple accessible parking bays along Scarborough precinct.

Please visit Scarborough Parking for more information.

Changing Places facilities

The City has two Changing Places facilities based in Scarborough: one at the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club and the other at Scarborough Beach Pool. Changing Places facilities enable people to participate by providing adjustable adult-sized change tables, a ceiling hoist system, a centrally located toilet, circulation space for wheelchairs, automatic doors, and a privacy screen. Facilities can be accessed using a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK).

Additional locations and further information are available on the Changing Places website.