1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: So you would think the Minister for Disability Services in 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:10,520 Speaker 1: Australia would have an office that is accessible to disabled people, 3 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: but not so the Federal Disability Minister Mark Butler's Adelaide office. 4 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: It's in Port Adelaide, his electorate ced of Fine Marsh 5 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: where stairs block entry. Two people in a wheelchair. And 6 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: to talk more about that, Advocate Jasmine Scriven on the line, 7 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: chasmin good. 8 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 2: Evening, good evening, thank you for having me. 9 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: It sounds ironic, doesn't it. 10 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 2: It really does. It's definitely I would say it's surprising, 11 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 2: but honestly it's kind of not. I think it says 12 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: a lot about where we are at with our disability 13 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 2: reform in this country. 14 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: Is it mandatory for buildings public buildings to be have 15 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: access for disabled people. 16 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 2: I'm not one hundred cent sure on the exact legality 17 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 2: of it, but I do believe there are some laws 18 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 2: in place. I think, you know, things like heritage buildings 19 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 2: and things like that can get around those things. But 20 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 2: I think as well it also poses the question of 21 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 2: what makes something actually accessible because the Minister's office has 22 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 2: released a statement saying that their office is accessible because 23 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,759 Speaker 2: you can get around through the back door and through 24 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 2: the roller door and whatever. So there is technically a 25 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:28,399 Speaker 2: way for them to get into the building. However, it 26 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 2: doesn't take into account that accessibility doesn't necessarily just mean 27 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:34,960 Speaker 2: a step free entrance. It also means grab rails, It 28 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 2: means you know, having wide enough doorways and hallways, which 29 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:41,839 Speaker 2: unfortunately that is not the case with his office. So yeah, 30 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 2: it's definitely an interesting situation for sure. 31 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, you'd think politicians would lead the way with 32 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: this sort of thing, wouldn't you. I mean, they're the 33 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: ones who make the rules. 34 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 2: So yeah, you would hope. 35 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: So yeah, well that's right. It's just a little bizarre. 36 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: But anyway, this can't be unusual for people in wheelchairs though, 37 00:01:59,040 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: trying to get. 38 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 2: At Oh, not at all. I think it's something that 39 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 2: we experience in our everyday lives. You know, oftentimes places 40 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 2: will list themselves as accessible, but not actually I have 41 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 2: a you know, deeper understanding of what that means. They 42 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 2: think that, oh, step free entrance, cool, that'll do it, 43 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,239 Speaker 2: but unfortunately that's not the case. Say, for example, I'm 44 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 2: in a clothing shop and yes, I can get through 45 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 2: the door, but I can't actually get around the aisles 46 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 2: and get through the clothes because they're not wide enough. 47 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 2: And it also doesn't take into consideration as well. So 48 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 2: Shane the advocate that made the video, his wheelchair is 49 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: quite sort of like small, it's not very wide, whereas 50 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 2: if you're using a big power chair or you have 51 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 2: different sort of a different wheelchair that takes up a 52 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 2: bit more space and needs a bit more of a 53 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,679 Speaker 2: turning circle, that back entrance from what I could see 54 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 2: in the video, would definitely not work. So yeah, it's 55 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 2: it's definitely something we deal with on a daily basis. 56 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 2: But I think it's particularly frustrating seeing someone that is, 57 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,360 Speaker 2: you know, supposed to be presenting us as supposed to be, 58 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:06,239 Speaker 2: you know, supporting us not have accessibility at the forefront 59 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 2: of his mind for his own office. 60 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:11,920 Speaker 1: To be fair, it's probably I don't imagine he owns 61 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:14,679 Speaker 1: the building. Maybe he does, but surely the landlord or 62 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: whoever does, should move down the path of putting in rents. 63 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: It's a heritage building, isn't it, I understand, I believe. 64 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,079 Speaker 2: So yeah, I think, you know, they said that they 65 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 2: were quoted about one hundred thousand dollars really to make 66 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,360 Speaker 2: the building itself accessible, which is a very Unfortunately. A 67 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 2: common thing with older buildings is that, you know, renovating 68 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: them to be accessible is a big cost. And we 69 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 2: totally understand that, and I think, you know it, you know, 70 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 2: it reinforces the idea that new buildings need to be 71 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 2: accessible from the get go to avoid these kinds of things. 72 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 2: But I think also as well, you know, I believe 73 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 2: if he's renting his office, then it should be of 74 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: the utmost priority, particularly now that he's been appointed as 75 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 2: a disability minister, to move somewhere where his constituents can 76 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 2: actually come and visit him and come and meet him. 77 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 2: And it doesn't seem at this point that that is 78 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 2: a high priority for him and for his office. 79 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, or maybe maybe things are going on behind the scenes. 80 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: But I agree with what you say in terms of 81 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: but one hundred thousand two with so, yeah, putting in ramps, 82 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: I don't imagine it's cheap, but that seems a lot. 83 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, I think it's you know, it's ramps. It's 84 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 2: also making sure that the doorway is wide enough. There's 85 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 2: a lot more things that go into it. But I 86 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 2: think as well, unfortunately, in the disability industry and in 87 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 2: that space, people can upcharge quite a lot because it's 88 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 2: a necessity. You know, we as to say, well, people 89 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: need wheelchairs, and we need grab rails, and we need 90 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: these things. We can't live without them, so they can 91 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: put a higher price on them. Particularly if it's a 92 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:54,920 Speaker 2: government you know funded sort of renovation, they tend to 93 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 2: put the price up a little bit, which is a 94 00:04:57,520 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 2: bit of a shame. 95 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Is there an access round the back 96 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: or the side or anywhere the people can get in from? 97 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,599 Speaker 1: But I know in your comments people shouldn't have to 98 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 1: use the loading dock to get in, and I agree with. 99 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, yeah, there is a back entrance. What you 100 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: have to do is you have to ring a doorbell, 101 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: which when Shane visited, it wasn't actually on there. Someone 102 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 2: must have taken it all well, so there was no doorbells. 103 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 2: He sat out the front trying to call the office 104 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 2: to let them know that he was there, and then 105 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 2: he had to wait for someone to open the roller door. 106 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 2: And then because there was actually a break table sitting 107 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 2: in that outdoor area where the ramp is, they actually 108 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 2: had to move that table for him to be able 109 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 2: to get around. So all these things, you know, they 110 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 2: take away our independence as disabled people. And I think 111 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 2: you know, there are arguments that it's accessible because technically 112 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: someone can get in there. It doesn't take into account 113 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: that we deserve independence, We deserve to be able to 114 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 2: do these things without having to ask and you know, 115 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 2: have all these steps done for us by other people 116 00:05:58,720 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 2: in order to get in there something. 117 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, Jasmine, thank you for coming on and raising awareness. 118 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 1: It's not a new issue, but we do need, I think, 119 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,719 Speaker 1: to be reminded of it periodically because you know, things 120 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 1: could and should be better. Frankly, especially when it comes 121 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: to dealing with federal and state politicians for that matter. 122 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And I think you know, accessibility will affect us 123 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 2: all at some point in our lives. You know, if 124 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 2: you live long enough, you'll become disabled. So I think 125 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 2: it needs to be on the minds of more people, 126 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 2: and you know, maybe be more of a priority in 127 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 2: society in general, well. 128 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 1: Even elderly people, I mean without being disabled. You know, 129 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 1: people struggle with steps and depending on age and abilities 130 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: and all the rest, and so yes, indeed, twenty first century. 131 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 2: Right, Indeed, I think in twenty twenty five we wouldn't 132 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 2: have to be having this conversation. But Unfortunately, here we are. 133 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, Jasmine, good on you for raising awareness. 134 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:52,720 Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you for having me. 135 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: Jason Scriven, that Jasmine Scriven, who is a disability, a disability, 136 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: can't lost my ability to speak disability advocate on the 137 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: issue of Mark Butler's office at Port Adelaide. The ironic 138 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: part not having wheelchair access is Mark Butler is the 139 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: Minister for Disability Services.