Companion card guidelines

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Supporting Inclusive Access

Geographe Leisure Centre is proud to participate in the Western Australia Companion Card Program in the Western Australia Companion Card Program.

The Companion Card Program supports people with a significant and permanent disability who require attendant care support person in community activities and venues.  The program enables a support person to accompany the cardholder at no additional cost when support is required.

We are committed to ensuring our facilities are welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all membership of our community.

How Companion Card Access Works at GLC

If you hold a valid Companion Card and require assistance to access our services, your support person may accompany you free of charge.

The support person may be:

  • A family member
  • A friend
  • A support worker
  • A carer

The Companion Card belongs to the person with a disability, who can choose the person providing their support.

What Can a Support Person Do?

While accompanying a Companion Card holder, a support person may:

  • Assist with access to the facility
  • Provide communication, personal care or mobility support
  • Provide supervision, encouragement and assistance during activities
  • Participate where necessary to support the cardholder's safe and successful involvement

Support persons may support participation but must not provide fitness instructions, prescribe exercise programs, or operate gym equipment on behalf of a participant unless appropriately qualified, inducted and authorised by GLC.  If assistance with equipment use or exercise technique is required, please speak with a GLC gym staff member

Gym Access and Equipment Use

To support safe participation:

  • Support persons may provide supervision and personal support within the gym
  • Support persons who need to assist with gym equipment must complete a GLC gym induction beforehand
  • Fitness instruction and exercise programming may only be provided by appropriately qualified and authorised personnel
  • GLC reserves the right to restrict access where safe operating procedures are not followed

Use of Companion Card Access

Companion Card access is provided so a support person can assist the cardholder, not for the support person's personal recreation or fitness use

Support persons should remain available to assist the cardholder throughout their visit and may only participate to the extent necessary to provide that support

Companion Card access cannot be used as a substitute for casual entry or membership

Support Workers, Contractors and Identification Requirements

GLC welcomes both informal support persons (family, friends and carers) and professional support workers

Support workers operating as part of a business, agency or registered support service are required to register as a contractor with the City of Busselton and provide any relevant insurance, qualification or compliance documentation in accordance with City Health and Safety requirements

Identification and Sign-In

To assist staff in maintaining a safe environment:

  • Support persons and support workers must sign in at Customer Service on arrival
  • A GLC lanyard or identification badge may be issued and must remain visible while in the facility
  • Visitors must sign out and return any issued identification before leaving

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I accompany a Companion Card holder free of charge?

Yes.  If you are attending to provide support to the cardholder, you may accompany them free of charge.

Can I use gym equipment while supporting someone?

Only where necessary to support the cardholder and in accordance with GLC requirements.  Companion Card access does not permit independent use of the gym for the support person's own exercise.

Can I complete my own workout while I'm here?

No.  Companion Card access is provided to support the cardholder, not for personal recreation or fitness use.

Do support persons need a gym induction?

Support persons who need to assist with gym equipment may be required to complete a GLC gym induction.

Are paid support workers required to register with GLC?

Yes.  Professional support workers operating through a business, agency or registered support service must comply with City of Busselton contractor requirements.

 

Our Commitment

GLC is committed to supporting people with disability to access and enjoy our facilities safely, confidently and with dignity.

At the same time, we must ensure that Companion Card access is used consistently and fairly, in accordance with the purpose of the Companion Card Program and for the benefit of all facility users.

For more information about the WA Companion Program, visit:

www.wacompanioncard.org.au