In July, Maroondah City Council’s MetroAccess Coordinator, Katie Goodrope, received Vision Australia’s ‘Making a Difference’ award for best practice. Vision Australia is the largest provider of blindness and low vision services in Australia. It works in positive partnership with Australians who are blind or vision impaired to ensure they can better adapt to their surroundings and overcome barriers they encounter.
Making a Difference awards recognise organisations and individuals that go the extra mile to ensure that people who are blind or vision impaired are able to live life to its fullest.
Vision Australia recognised Katie Goodrope for actively engaging Vision Australia clients and staff on any committee that deals with vision impairment issues, providing extremely useful information to Vision Australia, and for the production of a booklet titled, Communicating with People with Disabilities.
“Vision Australia applauds the efforts of Maroondah City Council, and in particular Katie Goodrope, for developing practical solutions to everyday challenges, and above all making a difference,” said Vision Australia’s Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Pat Peck. “We hope that others in the community will follow the lead of individuals such as Katie.
“With support from the local community, no matter how big or small, anyone who is blind or vision impaired can achieve unlimited possibilities and choices in every aspect of their lives.”
Maroondah City’s MetroAccess is a key initiative of the Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012. By working in partnership with Local Government, the plan aims to build the capacity of local communities across metropolitan Victoria so that they are more welcoming and inclusive of people with disabilities.
Maroondah Councillor, Alex Makin, said Katie was also instrumental in the development and publishing of a brochure for businesses in Maroondah that provides information on recognising and welcoming assistance dogs.
“Council is very proud to know that one of its officers has received the recognition that comes with this award,” he said.
For further information on MetroAccess contact Katie Goodrope on 1300 882 233.
