BE included

The Aquila Eco Retreat

Accessibility and Inclusion Plan

View from the bedroom of the accessible glamping tent. The sun is shining through the windows and we can see the deck chairs and outdoor bath tub, with the valley in the background

At Aquila, we are always striving to create a space that in welcoming and comfortable for all our guests.

The following outlines our current accessibility features and services. If what you are looking for is not mentioned on this page, please don't hesitate to contact us using one of the ways listed, and we will do our best to try and cater to your specific needs.

Thank you Alice and Jason.

Our business caters for the following disability types:

  • Blind or low vision
  • Deaf or low hearing
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchairs or mobility scooters
  • Food allergies or intolerances
  • Autisim

Emergency Management

  • The business has an emergency management and evacuation plan for guests with a disability
  • Emergency and evacuation procedures are explained on arrival
  • Guests with disabilities are noted in the guest log book for emergency and evacuation purposes

The business offers the following methods for bookings and enquiries:

  • Phone
  • Email
  • Webportal
  • Our website supports Screen Readers
  • Our forms have high contract boxes and submit boxes
  • Staff have undergone disability awareness and training

Communication

  • Our website meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
  • Our business offers the following alternative communication methods
  • Plain English
  • Magnifiers
  • There is easy-to-read signage

Guide Dogs and Service Animals

We welcome accredited service animals and are committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable, and respectful environment for guests and their service animals. While Aquila is an adults-only and pet-free retreat for general stays, accredited service animals are fully exempt from this policy and are permitted in all guest areas, including accommodation and grounds.

  • The business provides a secure area with shade and water for service animals
  • The business provides a toilet area for service animals
  • Bowls, bedding, etc., are provided for service animals

Each accommodation is set on its own private plot of land with ample outdoor space, offering suitable areas for service animals to relieve themselves. Waste bags and disposal bins are available upon request. Bowls for food and water can be provided at your accommodation to ensure your service animal’s comfort. Aquila’s peaceful surroundings, low guest capacity, and private accommodations ensure minimal noise and stress for working animals. 

Our trained onsite staff include service animals in emergency response plans. In the event of an evacuation, staff will provide support to ensure both guests and animals are safely assisted.

We respectfully ask guests travelling with a service animal to let us know when booking, either via email, phone or the notes section on the website booking page, so we can best prepare your accommodation and personalise your stay.

Cognitive Impairment Support:

  • Documents are available in plain English for people with cognitive impairment (This may include instructions, guides, menus and general information)
  • Quiet periods or early opening times for autistic people
  • A space for autistic people
  • Access has alternative procedures and clear written instructions with universal access symbols

Car Park and Access amenities:

  • A drop-off zone
  • Designated disabled parking bays
  • Level or ramped access from the car park to the entrance
  • The accessible entrance is clearly signed from the parking bay
  • Guests park directly outside their accommodation.
The luxury canvas glamping tent is accessed from the carpark via a sturdy ramp.

External paths have the following amenities in place

  • Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard-packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
  • Paths or slopes longer than 15 metres have resting places or seats
  • Pathways are wider than 900mm
  • There are 3 successive steps or fewer on any path or at any doorway

Ramps have the following amenities in place

  • There are ramps.
  • All fixed ramps are 1:14 or less
  • Handrails are fitted
  • Temporary ramps are available
  • Temporary ramps are in place for the duration of the guest's stay
  • Ramps have a raised edge of at least 100mm
  • Temporarily installed ramps can be installed at the guest communal area upon request for guests with limited mobility.
  • We do not have public toilets or change rooms.

Other information:

  • We accept the Companion Card

Internal Spaces

  • Tableware/glassware contrast with the table surface or table cloth

General Information

Pre-Arrival, Arrival and Reception

Information about the property is provided in a pre-arrival email. Further emailed information will be provided for guests who have alerted us to requiring special assistance at the booking phase. Typically, guests use a self-check-in procedure; however, for guests needing special assistance, trained Aquila staff will meet them upon arrival, guide them to their accommodation, give them a tour of the retreat grounds, and provide extra information and answer questions as requested.

The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception

  • Booking information and websites are compatible with screen readers
  • Information and maps are available in written form
  • A familiarisation tour
  • Keys are available for each guest
  • Luggage assistance
  • In addition, the following further information can assist guests:

Aquila's limited guest capacity and very small size mean there are never any queues.

Accommodation

Bedrooms

The bedrooms have the following facilities/amenities in place

  • There is 1 room available to guests who use a wheelchair
  • Bedroom furniture can be rearranged on request
  • We do not have wardrobes in any of the accommodations. Only coat hangers on a lowered row of hooks.
  • Visual alarm is fitted to the room
  • There is contrast between the walls, skirtings, floor and furniture
  • There is a clear path through the room, at least 850mm wide, and beside the bed
  • The edges of all furniture and fixtures are rounded
  • Housekeeping procedures instruct staff not to reposition furniture that has been moved
  • Doors open fully against the adjoining wall
  • There is at least one chair with rigid arms
  • The bedside lamp switch is easy to reach from the bed
  • The bed height is no higher than 680mm from the floor
  • There is at least 130mm clearance under the bed
  • The business offers a range of non-allergenic bedding
  • Non-allergenic cleaning products are used
  • Temporary luggage racks are available upon request.

 

 

9_Polygala_Glamping_Tent
Coat hangers are easily accessible on the lowered coat rack on the wall.

Dietary Requirements

Grazing boxes, gourmet BBQ packs and continental breakfast packs are outsourced to qualified caterers with delivery to each individual accommodation.

We can cater for the following dietary requirements

  • Sugar free (diabetic)
  • Gluten free (celiac)
  • Lactose free (dairy free)
  • Low fat and fibre with no gastric content
  • Low potassium
  • Low sodium
  • Nut free
  • Additive free
  • Organic
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Kosher
  • Halal

Bathrooms

The bathrooms have the following facilities/amenities in place

  • Guests who use a wheelchair should advise us upon booking for extra assistance
  • All heating appliances and hot water pipes are protected or insulated
  • All shower, bath and basin taps are clearly differentiated between hot and cold
  • Fixtures and fittings have rounded edges
  • The hot water is thermostatically controlled to 41 degrees
  • The door is at least 850mm wide & 850mm beside the toilet
  • Handrails are fitted
  • There is a minimum of 1400mm of clear space in front of the toilet
  • The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
  • A range of non-allergenic toiletries is available
  • There is a roll-in shower with fold-down fixed seat or a shower chair
  • There is a portable shower head on a flexible hose
The spacious accessible bathroom clearly shows all the features of the room as well as the elegant styling of the room. There is a timber lined ceiling, large earthy coloured tiling and modern black tapwear.

Dining

We do not have a separate restaurant or dining guest area.
The dining spaces have the following facilities/amenities in place

  • The entrance has level access
  • The doorway is at least 850mm wide
  • There is level access through the dining area
  • Chairs are moveable to allow for wheelchairs to be seated at the tables
  • All glass doors and full height windows have contrast markings
  • There are areas of full lighting
  • There is an accessible toilet

 

Polygala Kitchen 1
Sunlight beams into the kitchenette through the large glass panelled front door. There is a microwave on the counter, a large sink, accessible coffee machine as well as a mini fridge under the counter.

Common Areas

  • The following parks and gardens amenities are available
  • There is a step-free map
  • Seats are provided at regular intervals
  • The park or garden contains  sensory experiences
  • Accessible BBQs
  • Edge protection is provided
  • Edge protection is a contrasting colour to the deck
  • In addition, the following further information can assist guests:

The retreat grounds and communal guest area are available to all guests. There is a small 100mm step to enter the communal area, Flame Space. A temporary ramp will be installed for the length of stay for guests with limited mobility or wheelchair users. Guests should be aware that the aviary garden contains three large parrot aviaries with parrots that can sometimes be noisy throughout the day.

  • Handrails and stairs are built as per the state/territory building code.
  • Slip-resistant surfaces are used.
  • A handrail is available at 865-965mm in height.
  • The handrail is continuously graspable along its entire length on at least one side.
Flame Space is a large communal outdoor space, with bbq facilities, a wood-fired sauna and out door fire pot. There are extensive views out over the Coal River Valley