Welcome to the WA Companion Card

Among the winners was About Bike Hire, who received the 2011 Count Me in Award for Customer Service. This award recognises the initiatives employed by About Bike Hire to enhance their customer service and promote inclusion, including their affiliation with the Companion Card program since its inception in 2006.

Disability Services Minister Helen Morton said the awards highlighted role models for others who wanted to extend their access and inclusion services and facilities.
 
“The Count Me In Awards demonstrate to the whole community what can be achieved when an individual or organisation makes a commitment to provide services and facilities that are welcoming for everyone,” Mrs Morton said.

The Count Me In Awards is celebrated as part of Disability Awareness Week, in recognition of the large number of events held on 3 December, the International Day of People with Disability.

A number of Companion Card holders who regularly hire bikes from About Bike Hire joined in the celebrations over a morning tea of hot cross buns, easter eggs and hot chocolate.

Helen Granville, Acting State Manager Community Services for NDS WA said it was great to acknowledge About Bike Hire's affiliation with the Companion Card Program and their commitment to people with a disability "Over the years we have received a great deal of positive feedback from Companion Card holders about About Bike Hire providing an enjoyable and trouble-free experience when they visit." 

"About Bike Hire's Quad Bikes are particularly popular among card holders and provide a fun way for card holders to get out and about, take in the sights of the city and some fresh air."

"Affiliating with the Companion Card program is a great way for businesses to increase their customer base and support people with a disability in WA," she said.

Following the presentation of the Award to About Bike Hire, the Minister joined Companion Cardholders in a bike ride along the picturesque swan river on a Quad Bike.

The Companion Card Program in WA is managed by National Disability Services. The Program was launched in April 2006 to support people with disabilities as they access events in the community.

About Bike Hire has been an affiliate of the Companion Card Program since its inception in 2006. The Companion Card Program has grown considerably in WA, and today there are more than 561 affiliates and over 5262 cardholders.

The Companion Card is an easy way to demonstrate that a person with a significant permanent disability requires a companion, and assists organisations to comply with relevant anti-discrimination legislation.

Disability Services Minister Helen Morton and
Companion Card holder Matt enjoy a quad bike ride. 

The Companion Card team continually receives positive feedback from card holders using their Companion Card to visit affiliated Businesses and Organisations. We would particularly like to recognise the following affiliated Businesses and Organisations for providing outstanding service and commitment to Companion Card holders in Western Australia.

Albany Whale Tours
AQWA (The Aquarium of Western Australia)  
Burswood Entertainment Complex
Camelot Cinema
City of Bayswater
Hoyts Carousel
Oasis Adventure Putt and Supa Golf
Peel Zoo
Perth Royal Show
Perth Zoo
Perth Motorplex
SciTech
Shakespeare WA

Take the opportunity to thank a Business or Organisation affiliated with the Companion Card Program who has gone out of their way to provide you with an enjoyable and trouble-free experience while accessing their venue or facility.

Send an email, including the name of the Business or Organisation and a brief explanation of your experience to wa@companioncard.asn.au

1. in person from the Burswood Ticketek Box Office.

Ticketek staff can provide you with the best advice on seating availability, assistance when booking your tickets and can show you the exact location of your seats.

Located:         Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood, WA
Riverside Entrance between the Casino and Hotel,
(Opposite Paddy Hannan's)
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Payment:        cash or credit card

2. in person from the Regal Theatre Ticketek Box Office

Located:         474 Hay Street, Subiaco, WA
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Payment:        cash or credit card

3. over the phone through the Ticketek call centre.

Please ensure you have your Companion Card and credit card numbers ready when booking tickets through the call centre.

Telephone:     1300 665 915 or 13 28 49
Payment:        credit card only
           

Please Note: Ticketek Agencies do not accept telephone enquiries for upcoming shows or take bookings with your Companion Card.

This information is necessary for people with disabilities to make decisions about which businesses, community services and facilities meet their access requirements.

Visit http://www.accesswa.com.au to search by location or facility and look for specific features to suit your individual needs when getting out and about in Western Australia.

If you would like further information on the You’re Welcome WA Access Initiative please contact the Disability Services Commission.

Phone: 9426 9301 Freecall: (country) 1800 998 214 Fax: 9226 2306
TTY: 9426 9315 Email: yourewelcome@dsc.wa.gov.au

In addition, an exciting number of big-name national businesses have recently affiliated with the program including the AFL, Basketball Australia, Tennis Australia, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Reading Cinemas, Circus OZ, Fitness First Australia, Circus Royale, Event Cinemas and the Australian Ballet.

Helen Granville, Manager of the Companion Card Program in WA said “National recognition of the Companion Card is great news for cardholders who will be able to use their cards at affiliated venues when they holiday interstate”.

Cardholders should visit www.fahcsia.gov.au to view a full list of affiliates in each state.

During these works, affected bus stops will not be in use for a period of three to five days. Where possible, a temporary bus stop will be sited within close proximity to the permanent bust stop. Where this cannot be done, for safety reasons, the bus will continue to the next stop.

To provide you with up-to-date information, a new section within the Transperth website has been developed and provides detailed information on all the suburbs that the PTA is targeting within the upcoming months and provides a list of the stop numbers located within each of those areas. For more information, click here to visit the Transperth website.

The sinking of the Fremantle rail line is anticipated to be complete by 2014 and the Wellington Street Bus Station by 2016. By delivering the project in stages, day-to-day public transport services will continue, with the aim to keep service disruptions to a minimum.

Stage 1:
In October, work will commence at the eastern end of the Perth Train Station, to upgrade platform 6 and 7 and will continue until mid-2011. As a result of these works, please note changes to these service Platforms.

For more information, click here, to view information about the project on the Transperth website or register here to receive up-to-date information from TravelEasy (Transperth’s free email update service).