When the existing Cerebral Palsy Alliance site in Allambie Heights, New South Wales, was destroyed by fire in 2007, the organisation wanted to rebuild a state-of-the-art facility. They partnered with Enware Australia to meet the needs of their users.
“The new centre was to be leading edge for people with cerebral palsy, along with the Alliance’s staff. It had to be timeless in its design and provide a world-class building suitable for therapy,” said Enware Australia Business Development Manager Sandor Franken.
The architect for the new centre was Simon Jenkins of DEM Architects, who has worked with Enware on a number of projects.
Among the Enware products installed at the centre are electronically powered nursing benches, adjustable Indivo Kitchen worktops and wall cupboards, ergonomic designed IFO Sign basins and toilets, and a number of safety support arms.
“Enware’s products were seen as a perfect fit. Our long-standing relationship with the organisation resulted in us creating what we saw as best-practice design for the bathroom and toilet areas, as well as a change room and kitchen,” Mr Franken said.
The new centre is used by an estimated 200 people each day, including people with cerebral palsy, administration staff and people from other centres who use the Alliance facility for forums and other professional events.
Melanie Turner, Manager – Executive Administration & Projects at Cerebral Palsy Alliance, provided input into the choice of fittings at the new centre, in conjunction with an access advisory group of occupational therapists, carers, Alliance staff, people with disabilities, and others.
“Our clients have very complex needs, and we wanted to go above and beyond the current Australian Standards,” she said.
“We were familiar with Enware’s brands and had visited the Age Friendly Home at Marsfield where Enware independent living aids, such as height-adjustable kitchen bench tops and wall cupboards, were on display. Our occupational therapists and other Alliance staff recommended them as the best available.”
With the new Cerebral Palsy Alliance campus now open for more than a year, Ms Turner said the clients say they’re happy with the units and would love to have them in their own homes.
