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OVERVIEW
- Business Overview
- Bookings
- Emergency Management
- Communications
- Picture Boards Image(s)
- Other Information
- Guide Dog and Service Animals
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GENERAL
- Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
- Cognitive Impairment Support
- Car Park and Access amenities
- Entry
- Internal Spaces
- Public areas
- Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
- External Paths
- Ramps
- Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
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TOUR OPERATORS
- Tour/Transport Services
- Route Planning
- Accessible Toilet Image(s)
- Guides
- Image(s)
to view the full report.
Overview
General
Tour/Transport
Business Overview
The business has the following products/services available
Tour/Transport
Our business caters for the following disability types:
Blind or low vision
Deaf or low hearing
Limited mobility
Wheelchairs or mobility scooters
Food allergies or intolerances
Cognitive or people on the Autism Spectrum
Whalesong Cruises Hervey Bay wheelchair accessible logo
Bookings
The business offers the following methods for bookings and enquiries:
Phone
Webportal
Our website supports Screen Readers
Our forms have high contract boxes and submit boxes
Staff have undergone disability awareness and training
Emergency Management
The business has an emergency management and evacuation plan for guests with a disability
Emergency and evacuation procedures are explained on arrival
We ensure exit access is free and clear at all times by:
No fixtures near exits. Only passengers can stand near and will be moved in case of an emergency
Exits that include stairways have emergency stair travel devices available.
There is an emergency refuge that has an intercommunication system linked and has sufficient fire resistance levels.
Exits including stairwells, have bright edges used on the steps.
Guests with disabilities are noted in the guest log book for emergency and evacuation purposes
Communications
An accessibility guide is available on the website
https://whalesong.com.au/about/accessibility/
Our website meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
Our business offers the following alternative communication methods
Plain English
Magnifiers
Audio guides (with transcripts) on VacayIt app and our website
There is easy to read signage and information (e.g. menus and emergency information)
There is a Pictorial menu
There are Picture boards
Picture Boards Image(s)
Whalesong Cruises - communciation cards - guest1
Whalesong Cruises - communciation cards - guest2
Whalesong Cruises - reminder cards - crew1
Whalesong Cruises - reminder cards - crew2
Whalesong Cruises - reminder cards - crew3
Whalesong Cruises collection of visual tools
information about humpback whale behaviours, showing a picture and words (attached above)
Other Information
For bookings made onsite, the ticket booth/counter/box office is accessible for people using a wheelchair
The business accepts the companion card
Guide Dog and Service Animals
The business provides a secure area with shade and water for service animals
Bowls, bedding, etc. are provided for service animals
The business provides the following services for services animals:
All guests with service animals are given priority boarding to be seated where they (and their service animal) will be most comfortable throughout the cruise. Crew will guide them to their preferred seats and ensure they're comfortable in their position. If service animal is not to have interaction with anyone else, upon boarding, all other guests are respectfully asked to not engage with the animal.
Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception
Booking information and websites are compatible with screen readers
There is a reception/public entryway.
Seating available at reception
A lower counter at reception/ticket office
A clipboard to allow check-in/ticket purchase whilst seated
A tablet with text to voice or pen and paper at reception to aid in communication
Picture Board at reception to aid in communication
Lighting in the reception area is even and glare free
Large print information sheets and registration forms
We offer visual guides in the office to assist in guest/office communication. Also, we offer a guest lounge and private space for all respectful interactions to occur and for effective communication. The office team have had accessible training for all disabilities, including for guests who are non-verbal, neurodiverse and have low hearing. We have not identified the need for a hearing loop in our reception, as we provide an ideal space for all interactions to occur, as well as all the visual aids we've created to ensure a smooth process.
Information and maps are available in written form
A step free map/guide
A familiarisation tour
Advertising material, web sites and social media contain information relating to phone numbers available for non-voice communication e: Text, SMS, email and fax
No accessible facilities are locked
Additional Information from the business
The following steps are in place to ensure that people with fatigue related to their disability are not disadvantaged by long wait times:
Waiting/sitting room at marina office. Will be taken directly to boat to priority board, and seated immediately.
Cognitive Impairment Support
Documents are available in plain English for people with cognitive impairment (This may include instructions, guides, menus and general information)
A "social script" guide to your premises or attraction describing the sights, sounds and smells to aid parents/carers prepare visitors in advance
The 'social script' is available in word and other editable formats
Quiet periods or early opening times for people on the Autism Spectrum
A space for parents and children on the Autism Spectrum
Car Park and Access amenities
The business has the following Car Park and Access amenities
A drop off zone
Designated disabled parking bays
Level or ramped access from the car park to the entrance
The accessible entrance is clearly signed from the parking bay
The public transport services available are:
Detailed map and instructions (with distances) provided on the website: https://whalesong.com.au/about/accessibility
Kerb ramps are in place where a pavement or walkway needs to be crossed
Entry
The business has the following amenities/systems in place for entry
A drop off point close to the entrance
A path of access to the building is slip resistance and even
A path of access to the building is clear of obstruction
Self opening entry doors or fitted with a self closer
Glass doors are fitted with a visual sighting strip
Door jams/doors are of a contrasting colour to surrounding walls
Door handles are of a contrasting colour to the door
Signage is written in a contrasting colour
Signage is written in a Sans Serif font and use upper and lower case letters
The entry door is a minimum of 850mm wide
The entrance sill is less than 13mm
There a clear space of at least 1500mm x 1500mm in front of all doors.
The entrance door mats have a thickness less than 13mm and a width of 7500mm or greater
Internal Spaces
Clear and unobstructed routes through and between buildings
Interior walls are matte or low sheen
Floors, walls, counters and furniture are of contrasting colours
Any protruding or overhanging obstructions are at least 2meters above the floor or are protected
Floor surfaces are hard or short pile carpet
Seating is available for guests unable to stand for long periods
Accessible facilities are clearly signed and visible from all areas
All corridors greater than 900mm
There is a quiet space for parents and children on the Autism Spectrum
Public areas
The public areas have the following amenities in place
Even lighting
Seating
Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
For displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances the following amenities are in place
Seating
Wheelchair accessible spaces/seating
A written transcript where audio description is provided i.e. display commentary, tour commentary
External Paths
External paths of travel
Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
Paths or slopes longer than 15 metres have resting places or seats
Pathways are wider than 900mm
There 3 successive steps or less on any path or at any doorway
Any paths having steps are clearly identified as non-wheelchair accessible
Step free routes clearly signed
Ramps
Ramps have the following amenities are in place
There are ramps.
All fixed ramps are 1:14 or less
Hand rails are fitted
Long ramps (more than 10m) are 1:20 or less
Temporary ramps are available
Temporary ramps are in place for the duration of the guests stay
Ramps have a raised edge of at least 100mm
In addition, the following further information can assist guests:
Temporary ramps are only used to access the boat. Once on the boat, the wide decks and ramp into the downstairs saloon, mean access to all areas of the main level.
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities have the following amenities are in place
There is an accessible toilet for public use
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is a minimum of 850mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
There is 1450 mm of clear space in front of the toilet
The toilet seat of a contrasting colour to the floor
The toilet seat is460mm above the floor
Tour/Transport Services
The tour/transport services have the following facilities/amenities in place
Buses/Coaches
0 vehicles have wheelchair lifts or ramps
0 vehicles have low floors with ramped entry
The maximum wheelchair capacity available in the fleet is:
0
Commentary is available in written format
Route Planning
There is an accessible toilet on-board for public use
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is a minimum of 850mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
There is 1450 mm of clear space in front of the toilet
The toilet seat of a contrasting colour to the floor
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
Accessible Toilet Image(s)
Onboard accessible toilet with clear sign and in braille
Guides
Use of clear/simple English
Correct pronunciation for lip readers
There is a audio description of surroundings
Marine
Marine craft are wheelchair accessible
Length (cm) 130.
Width (cm) 100.
Height (cm) 150.
Weight (kg) 200+.
Image(s)
Whalesong Cruises Hervey Bay wheelchair accessible
Whalesong Cruises wheelchair on boat
Wheelchair accessible boat - MV Whalesong Hervey Bay
Wheelchair assistance up ramp onto boat
Wheelchair assistance up ramp onto boat1
In addition, the following further information can assist guests:
More photos of actual access journey to and onto boat are on website.