All Abilities Reference Group (AARG) at Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive travel environment for everyone. A key component of this commitment is the All Abilities Reference Group (AARG), a vital body that provides strategic advice and invaluable feedback on the airport’s accessibility initiatives. This group plays a crucial role in shaping policies, infrastructure developments, and service delivery to ensure they effectively meet the diverse needs of passengers with disabilities. Importantly, the AARG comprises individuals with lived experience of disability, bringing firsthand perspectives and insights to the forefront of the airport’s accessibility planning. For those requiring accessible transportation upon arrival, Gold Coast Airport car rental services offer a range of vehicles to suit various needs, ensuring a smooth transition from the terminal to exploring the region.

This article aims to inform the public about the function and significant contribution of the All Abilities Reference Group (AARG) at Gold Coast Airport. By highlighting the group’s composition and its advisory role, we aim to showcase the airport’s dedication to incorporating the voices of people with disabilities in its ongoing efforts to become a truly accessible and inclusive travel hub.

The All Abilities Reference Group (AARG) is a crucial consultative body established by Gold Coast Airport. Its core mission is to help create a welcoming and inclusive airport precinct for people of all abilities. The AARG plays a vital role by providing strategic advice and invaluable feedback to the airport’s management team on a wide range of accessibility-related initiatives, ensuring that the perspectives of people with disabilities are central to planning and decision-making.

Membership of the AARG: Diverse Expertise Rooted in Lived Experience

The strength of the AARG lies in the diverse backgrounds and expertise of its members. The group includes individuals with a wide range of disabilities and professional experience in advocacy and accessibility. Key members, as highlighted on the Gold Coast Airport website, include:

• Katie Kelly OAM PLY: A highly respected disability and inclusion advocate, a decorated Paralympian, and the founder of the Sport Access Foundation, Katie brings a powerful voice for equitable access and participation.
• Anthea Holmes: An experienced assistance dog trainer and the founder of ‘Found by The Hound’, Anthea’s involvement extends to the airport’s own AmbassaPAW program, providing unique insights into the needs of assistance animal users.
• David McCue: An aviation industry veteran with extensive experience in airport safety, David also brings a valuable personal perspective as a carer for someone with a disability, offering a practical understanding of support needs within the airport environment.
• Dr. Tom Tutton: As the Executive Manager at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and a leader of the Autism Friendly initiative, Dr. Tutton provides crucial expertise on creating sensory-friendly and accessible environments for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The lived experience of disability, combined with the professional expertise of these members, ensures that the AARG provides insightful and practical guidance to Gold Coast Airport, driving meaningful improvements in accessibility for all travellers.

The All Abilities Reference Group (AARG) plays a pivotal role in guiding Gold Coast Airport towards becoming a truly accessible and inclusive precinct. Their key responsibilities include: 

• Providing strategic advice on the development and implementation of new accessibility initiatives, ensuring that these projects are well-informed and effectively address the needs of travellers with disabilities.
• Offering valuable feedback on existing airport facilities, services, and processes, bringing a critical disability perspective to identify areas for improvement and ensure they are user-friendly for everyone. 
• Assisting Gold Coast Airport in understanding the diverse and often complex needs of travellers with a wide range of disabilities, fostering a deeper awareness and empathy within the airport’s operations.
• Contributing directly to the creation of a more inclusive and barrier-free airport environment, advocating for changes that remove obstacles and enhance the overall travel experience for individuals with disabilities.
• Potentially informing broader accessibility guidelines within the Australian aviation sector by sharing their insights and best practices, positioning Gold Coast Airport as a leader in inclusive travel.

The All Abilities Reference Group’s influence is not just theoretical; it has directly shaped and enhanced several key accessibility initiatives at Gold Coast Airport:

• The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program likely benefited from the AARG’s input in ensuring its effective implementation and promotion, considering the nuances of communicating non-visible disabilities and the training needs of staff.
• The development of the Sensory Map and Low Sensory Areas would have been significantly informed by the AARG’s expertise in understanding sensory sensitivities and identifying the specific needs of individuals with autism and other sensory processing differences.
• The creation of Communication Boards and Social Stories likely involved the AARG providing guidance on the most effective language, visuals, and content to ensure these resources are genuinely helpful for individuals with communication challenges or autism.
• The AmbassaPAW Therapy Dog Program, with member Anthea Holmes’ direct involvement, undoubtedly benefits from the AARG’s understanding of the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction and the specific considerations for assistance animal users in an airport setting.
• Environmental assessments focused on multiple disabilities would have been strengthened by the AARG’s diverse perspectives, ensuring that accessibility solutions address the intersecting needs of individuals with various combinations of disabilities.

The strength of the AARG lies in the diverse backgrounds and expertise of its members. The group includes individuals with a wide range of disabilities and professional experience in advocacy and accessibility. Key members, as highlighted on the Gold Coast Airport website, include:

• Katie Kelly OAM PLY: A highly respected disability and inclusion advocate, a decorated Paralympian, and the founder of the Sport Access Foundation, Katie brings a powerful voice for equitable access and participation.
• Anthea Holmes: An experienced assistance dog trainer and the founder of ‘Found by The Hound’, Anthea’s involvement extends to the airport’s own AmbassaPAW program, providing unique insights into the needs of assistance animal users.
• David McCue: An aviation industry veteran with extensive experience in airport safety, David also brings a valuable personal perspective as a carer for someone with a disability, offering a practical understanding of support needs within the airport environment.
• Dr. Tom Tutton: As the Executive Manager at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and a leader of the Autism Friendly initiative, Dr. Tutton provides crucial expertise on creating sensory-friendly and accessible environments for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The lived experience of disability, combined with the professional expertise of these members, ensures that the AARG provides insightful and practical guidance to Gold Coast Airport, driving meaningful improvements in accessibility for all travellers.

Gold Coast Airport holds a strong vision to be recognised as Australia’s most accessible airport group. This aspiration drives their ongoing efforts and unwavering commitment to the continual improvement of accessibility across all aspects of the airport precinct. They understand that creating a truly inclusive travel experience requires constant evaluation, adaptation, and a genuine dedication to meeting the diverse needs of all passengers.

This commitment is further strengthened by the internal Accessibility Committee within Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), the operating body for Gold Coast Airport. This committee plays a vital role in championing accessibility initiatives from within the organisation, ensuring that accessibility remains a key priority in planning, development, and service delivery.

Furthermore, Gold Coast Airport demonstrates its dedication to accessibility and inclusion through its Community Benefit Fund. This fund actively supports various community-based initiatives, including those focused on enhancing accessibility and promoting inclusion for people with disabilities within the broader Gold Coast region. This demonstrates a holistic approach to creating a more accessible community, extending beyond the airport’s immediate boundaries.

Knowing that Gold Coast Airport is committed to accessibility through initiatives like the AARG and the Hidden Disabilities program, you can be confident that your arrival will be as smooth as possible. To further enhance your independence and exploration of the Gold Coast, consider the convenience of Alpha Car Hire. Located directly at the airport, Alpha Car Hire offers a quick and easy way to secure a vehicle, allowing you to transition seamlessly from the terminal to discovering the region’s accessible beaches, attractions, and hinterland at your own pace. Kickstart your Gold Coast adventure with Alpha Car Hire and enjoy the freedom to explore.