News & Events

Seeking an accessible job or volunteer role? Want to find out about training and seminars on offer? How about all the great accessible and promotional events in the wider Sydney area? Immerse yourself in the News & Events webpage for current information.

Information for People with Disabilities

The role of the Community Development Disability Worker includes:  

• Consulting with and providing support to people with disabilities their families and carers, as well as professionals who support them
• Liaising with staff within Pittwater Council, other Councils, community organisations and appropriate authorities about access issues and the needs of people with disabilities
• Providing information on services and programs available to people with disabilities and other members of the community. 

Contact the Community Development Officer on telephone 9970 1199.

Home and Community Care Services (HACC Services)

Home and Community Care is a  joint Commonwealth and State funded program. The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program helps you and the person looking after you, so that you can continue to live at home safely, comfortably and as independently as possible.

There are a range of services available for people with disabilities, their families and carers, to assist where possible to maintain independent living at home in the community.  These include:

• Home Support
• Respite
• Transport
• Health
• Advocacy
• Food Services

Some services are free of charge, while others cost different amounts. Ask about costs when you call the service which you require.

View services provided locally through the Home & Community Care Program (HACC) brochure or for a copy to be mailed to you, please contact Council's Community Development Officer on telephone 9970 1199.

Shopping

Grocery shopping can be a challenge for all of us, but can prove particularly difficult sometimes for older people, carers, people with a disability and people with limited mobility. Manly Warringah and Pittwater Councils', along with Manly Warringah Pittwater Community Aid have developed a booklet entitled Shopping Made Easy in Manly Warringah and Pittwater  in attempt to point people in the right direction for more convenient shopping methods to suit their needs and lifestyle. 

Library Resources

For people with special needs the Mona Vale Library has a collection of:

• Books including large print
• Magazines
• Videos
• Public access internet
• Compact discs
• Cassettes
• Newspapers
• Talking books
• Captioned videos
• Narkaling Kits- books and cassettes that allow people with learning disabilities to listen and read at their own speed.

Special Resources in the Library:

• An Access & Community Information Librarian is available along with other staff to assist people with special needs
• Equipment - hand held magnifier with light, line bar reader (line magnifier)
• Languages other than English- a small collection of French, German & Spanish books is held at the library. If required, staff may organise for books in other languages to be borrowed from the State Library
• Home Library Service - this service is available to local residents who are temporarily or permanently housebound due to frailty, illness, injury or disability. This service is not available where a family member or friend may collect books from the library for the housebound person. A library staff member will visit the person at home to assess their reading and listening requirements

Contact Mona Vale Library on telephone 9970 1600.

Accessibility in Pittwater

Council has produced  "Pittwater's Accessible Facilities Brochure" which details the accessible facilities in Pittwater. This covers MLAK access, parking, reserves, community centres and beaches and the great facilities you will find there. You can download the PDF brochure or call Council on 9970 1199 to obtain a hard copy.   You can also check on-line using Council's Recreation Facilities "Find A Park" search facility as well.

Something of interest for you.. take a look at the National Public Toilet Finder and Map website where you can find an accessible toilet and maps on how to get there. You can even use this to plan your trips! 

MLAK stands for Master Locksmiths' Association Key. The MLAK is a master key that fits into specially designed locks allowing 24 hour a day access to public toilets. Eligible people - those with a disability and a letter of authorisation from a doctor, disability organisation or community health centre - can purchase a key that opens all accessible toilets displaying the MLAK symbol.

For information about where to obtain keys or locks within your area, contact the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (phone 1800 810 698) or locally, Barrenjoey Security in Mona Vale 9997 1311.

Community Transport

Community Transport is available to older residents and people with a disability who need to access services, attend appointments (e.g. medical, hospital) or other activities which assist in maintaining independence and contact with others.

There are a number of non-government organisations which may provide community transport to Pittwater residents.

• Manly Warringah Community Transport
  MWP Community Transport provides a range of transport options for the aged, people with disabilities and those who are transport disadvantaged.
  Phone: 9971 5110
  
• Manly Warringah Community Aid
  Transport is provided in cars by paid staff and volunteers to the frail aged, those with high support needs and their carers.
  Phone: 9913 3244
  
• Kaddy Transport
  Kaddy is a voluntary organisation that provides bus transport for individuals using wheelchairs or permanently blind adults, to medical, hospital, dental appointments or meetings.
  Phone: 9972 0242

Depending on your situation, you may also like to read about other information on Council's website include Parking and also Public Transport.

Access to Community Activities

The Companion Card allows people with a significant and permanent disability, who require attendant care for the rest of their lives, to participate in community activities and events without discrimination. If eligible, you will no longer be required to pay two admission or booking fees in order to take your attendant carer with you to participating venues and events.

The Companion Card will be issued to residents of NSW with a significant and permanent disability who are unable to participate in most community based activities without significant assistance with mobility, communication, self care, planning and where the use of aids and other technologies does not meet those needs.

For more information about the Companion Card Program or to request an application form please phone 1800 893 044.

Free Wheeler Information

A Beach Free Wheeler allows access to the sand and water's edge for people who use wheelchairs or find it difficult to negotiate the beachfront.

This is available at no cost at Bilgola and Newport Beaches. Contact the Lifeguard on patrol or the volunteer lifesavers at the Patrol tent to obtain it's use. Please note that Council do not organise bookings of this facilty.

Useful Website Links

This page contains several websites links and some phone numbers to a range of Government and private websites.