Thank you for your assistance in helping to test, build and create reviews for the Accessible Australia app.
Your reviews and input will help prepare Accessible Australia to be ready to be released for people with physical disability all around Australia.
You can access the app at accessibleaustralia.com.au
You’ll be prompted to login when you first go to leave a review, otherwise you can use the 
image in the top right corner to login with your Google or Facebook account.
We recommend using the “Add to Home” feature once you’re in the Accessible Australia site to make it easy to access again on your smartphone or tablet – click here for instructions.
Whenever you visit a destination, please don’t forget to get out your phone or tablet and leave a quick review of the venue’s accessibility rating and your overall experience.
Here’s some information on how to get started – click the headline for each section for more.
What destinations should I review and what should I base my accessibility review on?
We’re looking for reviews on any venues and destinations in your community or the communities you visit, including restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, accommodation options, shopping centres, public bathrooms, beaches, parks and more.
Reviews can be left for accessibility (which is mandatory to leave a review) and overall experience (which is optional) of the location you visit.
When reviewing accessibility, please consider:
- How accessible it was to get in and out of the venue
- How accessible it was to navigate around the venue
- Did the venue have bathrooms? Was there an accessible option?
- Did I have to ask a staff member for assistance, or could I access the venue independently?
- Is there accessible parking options nearby?
The accessibility rating should be exclusively about the venue’s accessibility and not the quality of services or products offered.
Ratings are out of 5 stars, which denote:
- 1 Star – venue could not be accessed at all
- 2 Stars – venue could be accessed and navigated with great difficulty
- 3 Stars – venue could be accessed and navigated with mild difficulty
- 4 Stars – venue could be accessed and navigated with little difficulty, however there was room for improvement
- 5 Stars – venue is completely accessible and could be accessed and navigated with ease.
The overall experience review is about exactly that, your overall experience at the venue. This can include quality of service, quality of your food or drinks, quality of your accommodation and facilities etc.
How do I leave a review?
- Use the Search bar or Destination list to find your destination (note: if your chosen destination is not on the app, please go to the next section before returning here).
- Once your destination has been selected, at the bottom of the left-hand menu, under Reviews, click the link to leave a new review (if you have not yet logged in, you’ll be prompted to do so here).
- Give the venue an Accessibility rating out of 5 stars (with 1 star being inaccessible and 5 stars being fully accessible).
- Optional: Give the venue a Service rating out of 5 stars (with 1 star being unhelpful service and 5 stars being very helpful service)
- Select the mobility aid used during your visit.
- Under Review, leave a short text review giving more information about the venue’s accessibility. Make sure you consider things like:
-
- How accessible it was to get in and out of the venue?
- How accessible it was to navigate around the venue?
- Did the venue have bathrooms? Was there an accessible option?
- Is there accessible parking options nearby?
- Under Photos, you can also select the “Choose Files” button to upload up to five images taken of the venue.
- Click “Post Review” and you’re done!
What happens if the destination I’m visiting isn’t already listed on the app?
- On the bottom right corner, select the
button - Select Add Place.
- Complete the details about the destination you are creating, including name, category, address, and, if know, phone number, email address and website.
- Click Submit.
- A new destination has now been created in the app.
Do I have to advise the venue owner that I’m reviewing their premises?
This is up to you – if you are patronising a venue as a regular customer, you may choose to not advise them.
If you plan to conduct a full accessibility tour of the venue, or take images to upload with your review, you may like to advise the venue staff or manager/owner on entry.
Here is some suggested wording if you’d like to discuss the review with the venue staff or manager/owner:
“My name is <your name> and I’m a beta tester and reviewer for Spinal Life Australia’s Accessible Australia app. I’m conducting accessibility reviews of local venues and businesses to advise app users if a venue is accessible for users of wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Would you be okay if I had a quick look around the premises?”
Please only continue with the review if the venue representative is comfortable with it.
If they have any questions about the app or the review process, they can contact accessibleaustralia@spinal.com.au
What should I do if I cannot enter a destination at all?
While this may seem like a one star review, it may be worth asking a staff member first if they have any alternative entry options, such as a lift or ramp, before leaving a review. If they do not, or you cannot get the attention of a staff member, you are welcome to provide a one-star review for accessibility. An overall experience review would not be required.
Do I have to tell Spinal Life Australia that my review has been completed?
No – your review will automatically be uploaded to the app. Thank you for your input!
What if I notice an error with the app, or have a suggestion for improvement?
Please contact accessibleaustralia@spinal.com.au with your feedback.