An update from the Mobility Foundation
The latest round of LGA and ClubGRANTS submissions created in an incredibly productive period for the Mobility Foundation.
Through direct outreach and collaboration with organisations across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter region, we have helped put forward over 35 accessibility projects with a combined value of more than $500,000.
Behind every submission is a simple goal: to help remove a barrier that currently prevents someone from participating fully in their community.
Taking accessibility opportunities directly to communities
One of the most encouraging aspects of this funding round has been where the projects originated.
The majority resulted from direct outreach to potential recipients.
Rather than waiting for organisations to discover funding opportunities themselves, the Mobility Foundation has been actively identifying facilities and services where accessible equipment could make a meaningful difference, starting conversations and helping turn identified needs into funding applications.
The projects span a broad cross-section of the community, including:
- aquatic and leisure centres
- schools
- hospitals and healthcare facilities
- local councils
- not-for-profit organisations
- disability support services
- aged care services.
It demonstrates just how widely the need for better accessibility exists — and how one funding program can potentially create benefits across many different parts of a community.
The first projects are already being funded
While the majority of applications are still awaiting an outcome, we’re delighted that the first successful projects have already been confirmed.
- Cabarita Leisure & Aquatic Centre has been approved to receive funding for Platypus Pool Steps.
- Roselands Aquatic Centre has also been approved for Platypus Pool Steps, helping create another accessible pathway into the water for members of its community.
- A third project at Drummoyne Swimming Centre has been offered part funding towards a Pelican Pool Hoist.
These may be three individual projects, but their potential impact extends much further.
Accessible aquatic equipment can support people living with disability, older swimmers, people undergoing rehabilitation and others who find conventional pool entry difficult or impossible.
And because the equipment is located within community facilities, the benefit can continue from one visitor to the next, year after year.
27 projects are still awaiting an outcome.
Of course, we’d love every application to be successful. The reality of community grant funding is that available funds are limited and not every worthy project can be supported in every round.
But an unsuccessful funding application doesn’t mean the accessibility need has disappeared.
It simply means we need to keep looking for opportunities.
That is an important part of the Mobility Foundation’s role, continuing to connect genuine accessibility needs with potential funding sources and helping organisations navigate opportunities they may not otherwise have known were available.
More than half a million dollars in potential accessibility improvements
The combined value of the projects submitted exceeds $500,000.
That’s a significant figure, but we’re even more interested in what sits behind it.
It’s not simply $500,000 worth of equipment.
- It’s potentially more people being able to get into a swimming pool.
- More inclusive school and community environments.
- Better access to rehabilitation and exercise.
- Greater opportunities for older Australians and people living with disability.
- Less reliance on difficult manual handling.
- And facilities that can welcome a broader cross-section of their communities.
That’s the real value we’re working towards.
Know somewhere that could be more accessible?
This latest funding round may have closed, but our work hasn’t.
If you know an aquatic centre, school, healthcare facility, community organisation, disability service, aged care provider or individual that could benefit from accessible equipment, we’d like to hear about it.
Likewise, if you’re part of a club, community organisation, business or funding body looking for a practical way to create a lasting accessibility impact, there are projects and people who need support.
The Mobility Foundation exists to help bring those two sides together.
Because when the need exists and the solution exists, funding shouldn’t be the reason they never meet.