ADVOCATING FOR SAFER PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
By Kim Pilic

Part of my role as an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist involves advocating for safer community access for long cane and dog guide travellers, and of course, the community at large. I'm pleased to report that recent advocacy requests for obstructive and head height foliage removal was proactively addressed by Councillor Donna Gates, in Division 3, of City of Gold Coast Council In addition, a request for installation of warning tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs), at an audio/tactile light controlled crossing, was also actioned by Forward Steps Mobility. This matter was directed to Councillor Brooke Patterson, Division 6, City of Gold Coast Council The next step is to address the need for tactile ground surface indicators on an internal shopping centre car park zebra crossing, for tactile recognition, subsequently promoting enhanced pedestrian safety. This important safety need was recently identified during an Orientation and Mobility travel route training activity with a long cane traveller.

Advocating for safer, more inclusive communities is an important element of collaborative approaches between citizens with blindness/ low vision, Forward Steps Mobility, the community at large and the City of Gold Coast.

As an O&M Specialist, I have a collaborative responsibility to ensure every individual I work with is mobilising from point A to point B with the highest degree of safety, dignity and inclusive participation around access. On that basis, advocacy is an essential ingredient for addressing and redressing elements of the built environment which need to be improved.