Change.org/PoolAccess

image of Change.org/PoolAccess

Via Change.org/PoolAccess, started by Monika Sarder:

Melbourne pools were recently re-opened, just in time for the warmer months. This should be great news for everyone who relies on them for exercise. Sadly, public pools meant for everybody were only available for those swimming laps. Which excluded mobility-impaired people who rely on pools for hydrotherapy.

Now, a new rule has been introduced. Indoor pools are only open for "one-on-one hydrotherapy with a health professional". But this essentially sets an income and ability threshold on who can exercise, and who can't.

I rely on hydrotherapy in public pools, but ...

Via Change.org/PoolAccess, started by Monika Sarder:

Melbourne pools were recently re-opened, just in time for the warmer months. This should be great news for everyone who relies on them for exercise. Sadly, public pools meant for everybody were only available for those swimming laps. Which excluded mobility-impaired people who rely on pools for hydrotherapy.

Now, a new rule has been introduced. Indoor pools are only open for "one-on-one hydrotherapy with a health professional". But this essentially sets an income and ability threshold on who can exercise, and who can't.

I rely on hydrotherapy in public pools, but despite pools reopening, I’m unable to access them. I’m starting this petition to ensure that the needs of mobility-impaired people - whether due to disability, long term illness or age - are protected in this pandemic, regardless of income.

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Email the Chief Health Officer

Monika is calling on all Victorians to contact the Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton, to ask him to allow everyone to access public pools, regardless of age, ability, or income.

Below you will find a template email you can send Prof Sutton. Remember, if you edit or change any information, please remain polite and respectful at all times.

Compose your email

Name

Email

Subject:

I am writing to you because I care about the health, rights and welfare of Victorians who have a mobility impairment, during this pandemic. I’m one of more than 10,000 people who have signed the Victorian petition, Change.org/PoolAccess.

I implore you to make a small but significant change to the executive health order, regarding access to hydrotherapy pools, announced on Sunday 18 October.

The current order requires people who have mobility impairments to pay to have their private health professional present when they carry out their hydrotherapy program.

The rule does not represent the lived experience of people with disability. For the vast majority of individuals, a regular program of exercise is set by a health professional, and the program is then undertaken in the pool solo.

Under the current rule, only those who can afford it can access hydrotherapy at public pools. Access is now effectively income-based, rather than needs-based.

I draw your attention to Victorian Charter for Human Rights and Responsibilities, Right to take part in Public life. According to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission this right ensures that : "Under the Charter, every eligible person has the right...to access public services provided by the government and local councils."

The importance of these programs cannot be overstated. Water lends a weightlessness to movement that alleviates pain. These exercises allow people with musculoskeletal challenges to manage their conditions, restoring mobility and maintaining overall health, particularly cardiovascular health.

Ordinary people with musculoskeletal conditions – whether they have arisen as a result of injury, health condition or are a function of old age – simply cannot afford to be able to pay a health professional to be in the pool with them.

Without movement to manage comorbid conditions their capacity to fight the virus is reduced, even though they are the most at risk.

A more reasonable requirement would be to allow people to be able to access the pool on the basis of a letter from their health professional, rather than requiring them to bring their physio with them.

I sincerely hope that for the above reasons, the rule will be changed so that access to public pools is once again equal in Victoria.

Thank you for your consideration.

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