The following residents of the ACT draw the attention of the Assembly that:
• Abbeyfield in Garran is an independent living facility for people with disabilities, providing a supportive and community-oriented environment. Ensuring that residents at Abbeyfield have access to necessary resources and infrastructure aligns with the principles outlined in the ACT Disability Strategy 2024-2033.
• The ACT Disability Strategy 2024-2033 is a vital framework that ensures the ACT Government in meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and aims to promote accessibility and inclusion, empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
• However, we wish to draw attention of the Assembly to the current accessibility and safety aspects of Stephens Place that currently impact significantly on the residents and their visitors, most significantly there is lack of adequate footpath (residents have to walk down the middle of the road) and very chaotic parking that congests the road and is very unsafe.
• We recognise that safe and accessible footpaths are crucial for residents with disabilities to navigate their community independently and the current lack of adequate footpaths on Stephens Place, Garran hinders mobility and poses safety risks for residents. The residents of Abbeyfield Garran walk to the local shopping area where they can access their medical practice, the dentist, the local shops and cafes and catch the bus. Most of the residents do this on at least a daily basis and sometimes more often.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to call on the ACT Government to take immediate action to improve footpath access and parking issues at Stephens Place in Garran, ACT. These enhancements will not only support the residents' independence and safety but also uphold the values and objectives of the ACT Disability Strategy 2024-2033.