Call for more organisations to join Companion Card Scheme
The Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, have called on more Australian organisations to join the National Companion Card scheme to help make entertainment, sport and recreational activities more accessible to people with disability.
Ms Macklin and Mr Shorten joined with representatives from the Australian Ballet, Basketball Australia, Netball Australia, Hockey Australia, the Australian Football League and the YMCA in Melbourne to raise awareness of the National Companion Card Scheme.
Ms Macklin said the scheme provided people with a severe disability two tickets for the price of one, so they were able to bring along a carer for free.
The national scheme, launched in December 2009, now has 26 national affiliates who provide Companion Card holders with access to over 1,700 venues, 400 events and 17 tournaments or fixtures across the country without charging for their companion.
With the Companion Card now in use Australia-wide, eligible people with disability can have their companions accompany them to events and activities at over 4,200 participating organisations across Australia – all at no extra charge.
There are now 37,000 Companion Card holders Australia-wide and, with New South Wales and Queensland having only launched their state programs in mid 2009, this number is expected to continue growing.
For more information visit http://www.companioncard.gov.au
