Council venues currently with Cérge

For people with disabilities, outings to many venues can be a daunting experience - not knowing what is where, how they might navigate their way in and out and what facilities, what equipment and support is on offer.

Enter Cérge, a local technology company dedicated to improving access and inclusion.

Cérge has worked with hotels, restaurants and events and has now joined forces with Sunshine Coast Council to improve interaction with Council spaces that showcase arts, entertainment, environmental activities, sport and recreation.

Showing wheelchair icons on the concrete floor at Sunshine Coast Stadium to illustrate the seating area for people in wheelchairs

Showing the lift access in the foyer of Sunshine Coast Stadium

How does it work?

A series of accessible tools have been developed so people can "know before they go" and understand venue accessibility ahead of time. [Sunshine Coast Stadium wheelchair seating zone and lift access pictured above]

These can include a 360-degree Virtual Tour, Visual Story & Sensory Guide and Audio Guide.

Cérge has also connected with Council’s Accessible Beach program and very soon a ‘visual story’ will be available to illustrate where and how to book and collect a beach wheelchair, how to use it and what to do on return.

The hall space showing flooring, lighting, fans, and outlook to the garden area

Community Portfolio Councillor Taylor Bunnag said Cérge specialised in helping venues such as hotels, restaurants, and event spaces be more accessible, and Council was excited to bring Cérge’s expertise to its community facilities. [Millwell Road Community Centre pictured above]

“As a Council we want to help create a more inclusive region where everyone can participate equally, contribute fully and feel respected and valued,’’ Cr Bunnag said.

“Our first partnership with Cérge was to support several Industry partners delivering events for The Curated Plate last year.

“More publicly available information empowers customers with a disability, parents, carers and support workers to make informed decisions before arrival.”

Nambour Aquatic chair lift for pool entry

The kids play area showing water slides and play stations at Nambour Aquatic Centre

Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said Sunshine Coast Libraries already offered a large range of resources that could be accessed by everyone. [Nambour Library and Nambour Aquatic Centre pictured above]

“Now we are moving through our community and sport venues to help make our Council venues more accessible thanks to this partnership with a forward-thinking local business,” Cr Law said.

“This is significant step towards becoming more inclusive as our region prepares to host inclusive sports events like the Australian Deaf Games in 2026, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Para-cycling Road World Championships in 2028 and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

What is the Cérge Companion app

Co-founded by Sunshine Coast locals, Victoria and Chris Kerrisk, Cérge addresses the lack of public information about venue accessibility and challenges in customer service perceptions.

It features a companion website for venues to display their accessibility features and an app that lets customers communicate their needs directly to staff.

Mr Kerrisk said Cérge served as a personal disability advocate. It aimed to enhance community participation and confidence for people with disability, carers and support workers, promoting a more inclusive community.

“The Cérge Companion websites are a plug and play solution for venues to make a stepped change in the publicly available information detailing accessible and sensory experience imagery and descriptions,” Mr Kerrisk said.

“We have been working across the region with the likes of White’s IGAs, Sunshine Coast Airport, Nambour Special School and a number of hotels, restaurants and event organisers.

"Community and sport venues are an exciting addition to the expanding list of locations involved in this supportive movement.

“It’s not about implementing costly infrastructure. Cérge delivers a series of innovative digital tools to improve and promote venue accessibility to help people with disability, and to help their carers.”

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Beerwah Aquatic pool with ramp entry featured

Beerwah Aquatic bitumen car park with signed space for people with disabilities.

Coolum Aquatic pool featuring ramp entry

Eumundi Aquatic pool area with chair lift in the pool, left hand front corner

Kawana Aquatic pool with ramp feature

Altitude Nine amenities - toilet, sink, baby change station with signage and buttons on the wall for exit

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve canopy walk - wooden bridge with railings and signage with greenery of the rainforest along both sides

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve rainforest walk - showing the pathways and some shelter with greenery of trees and shrubs

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve 4WD wheelchair

A virtual tour and sensory guide plus other resources are now available for Council venues and we are working with the local company to include other Council facilities such as Nambour Showgrounds.