Access Keys

The City of Whittlesea has teamed with Access Ability Australia to create Access Keys for local sporting facilities and playgrounds, allowing you to plan ahead for your visit.

Access Keys are customised, highly detailed written guides which offer a level of predictability for groups including people with a disability, seniors and families. They are universally designed and suitable for all people, regardless of ability.

They cover prediction, orientation, structure, sensory integration and accessibility and safety features, allowing users to navigate themselves around the venue with clear instructions on where things such as toilets are located.

Access Keys are currently available for the following venues:

Kirrip Community Centre

• Developed in 2020, Kirrip Community Centre provides essential services to the booming population in the city's north. It includes a modern three-room kindergarten, two fully equipped maternal and child health consulting suites, a 200sqm community hall, meeting spaces for community groups and a landscaped outdoor area. The centre has been designed as an inclusive and accessible space for our diverse and growing community. For more information, visit the centre's webpage.

Kirrip Kindergarten

• The Kirrip Kindergarten is part of the Kirrip Community Centre. The kindergarten has three large rooms and runs three-year-old and four-year-old programs. For more information, visit the kindergarten's webpage.

Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium

• An international standard, all-weather synthetic athletics facility in Epping, which can be used for district and State sporting competitions, school carnivals and athletics, little athletics, senior athletics, large corporate functions and festivals. For more information visit the Meadowglen webpage.

Mill Park All Abilities Playspace

• The All Abilities Playspace is at the Mill Park Recreation Reserve in Morang Drive. Its infrastructure, equipment and facilities have been designed so all members of the community, regardless of their age or physical/cognitive ability, can feel supported and welcomed to spend an extended amount of time. For more information visit this webpage.

The Access Keys contain colour photos, supportive text, maps and sensory guides that outline the sensory elements of experiences.  

They also include details about the most convenient accessible parking, entry points, stadium layout and amenities, plus athletic events available and their overall wellbeing and therapeutic benefits. 

They are offered in full colour and large print text-only formats. 

You can also download Social Stories, which have been developed for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, specific language disorders, social communication difficulties and cognitive delays and disability. 

The Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium Social Story is based on a school athletics carnival, and is designed to help prepare individuals for social interaction by providing clear information about specific social situations, outlining why they happen and what typical responses might be.