Wheelchair accessible accommodation and supported independence

Welcome to the Uki Guesthouse

The Uki Guesthouse in Mount Warning northern NSW welcomes everyone, but most especially people with disability and wheelchair users.

Our focus is on supported independence, that is, enabling our guests to be as independent as possible by incorporating good design with technology (such as remote-controlled gates for easy access, electronic bidet for dignified personal hygiene, electronic pool transfer chair, wireless pendant call transmitters) as well as personal care and attention.

We can provide light assistance with activities of daily living such as showering, dressing, dining and retiring. As a Registered Nurse, the onsite manager can also assist guests with managing their medications.

Regrettably we are unable to attend to the needs of those requiring heavy lifting or constant supervision. However, we are happy to work with and assist carers.

Disability access and safety

General

• Ramps: 1 in 14 gradient or better and a clear width of at least 1000 mm
• Clear width of doorways: minimum 800 mm
• Accessible parking at rear

Flooring

The original polished floorboards are inplace throughout the Guesthouse, well-sealed and in excellent condition. In the event of a fall, timber floorboards are kinder than tiles or cement. It is also an inhospitable environment for dustmites and moulds and therefore hypoallergenic.

The main entertainment area was a purpose-built teak dance floor, and the old-fashioned timber joists and bearers give the Guesthouse a certain amount of 'spring' and softness underfoot.

Living areas

Everything about the Uki Guesthouse is generous - from the 3 metre wide spacious verandahs to the comfortable leather Chesterfield lounges. There is plenty of space indoors and outdoors for wheelchairs to move easily around the accommodation.

Ventilation and passive climate control

Although not generally highlighted as an accessible feature, temperature control is important for both comfort and access because subtropical warmth during the summer can adversely affect many conditions such as lymphoedema.

The Guesthouse maintains a very pleasant temperature, brought about by the great cross ventilation, ComfortPlus louvre windows, high ceilings, wide decks, elevated position, new light-coloured roof, double ceiling insulation, whirly-birds and solar protection from nearby trees and vegetation.

In addition, there are ceiling fans and reverse-cycle remote-controlled air conditioners (rarely required).

Mobility equipment

We currently have two electric mobility scooters for hire. One scooter is mid-size (Bolwell Delux) and great for exploring the village and going for a picnic at one of the many nearby accessible sites, while the other scooter (Rio 4+) is smaller, easily transportable and better suited for indoor use.

A wheelchair and walker are freely available for use by guests.

First aid

A fully equipped First Aid box is available at all times for guests and staff, including an Incident Report Book.

Fire safety

All bedrooms have at least two exits, one of which is key-less and opens out from the bedroom via panic bolts.

Fire alarms are hard-wired and integrated with emergency lighting throughout the Guesthouse, so that if one alarm is triggered all alarms are likewise triggered and emergency lighting is simultaneously activated.

Luminous directional arrows are provided on the floor.

Fire Extinguishers are mounted at 800mm from floor for easy reach from a wheelchair.

Pendant alarm

Pendant transmitters, about the size of a matchbox, are available for guests who require supported independence. When the button is pressed, a central command station is activated notifying management that assistance is required. The transmitters work throughout the entire Guesthouse property.

Supported independence and accommodation packages are individually assessed.

Bedrooms

The four bedrooms sleep up to eight guests and are easily reconfigured to suit individual preferences. Three opening directly onto wide verandahs through French doors and each bedroom offers:

• Premium quality latex queen beds (hypoallergenic)
• Bed height from floor = 600mm, with a clear space of at least 800mm to the side
• Wall-mounted halogen lamp, extends to 830 mm, shade-mounted switch
• Bedlinen, towels and bath robes provided
• Mobile, open, adjustable hanging space and easy-glide wire baskets
• Light switches, ceiling fan control and door locks mounted at 900 mm to 1100 mm from floor level
• Individual remote control reverse cycle air conditioning and ceiling fans
• Auto-sensor or foot-pedal trash cans
• Mini-fridge (height 850 mm)

Bathrooms

Guests share three well-appointed accessible bathrooms:

• Doors open inwards and have removable hinges
• Bathrobes or ponchos (no sleeves to worry about)
• Hospital-grade, non-slip floor tiles
• Level entry, open showers with easy-grip, adjustable shower heads
• Horizontal grip rails mounted at 800mm to 850mm from floor level
• Wall-mounted pull-down slotted shower seat 960 mm wide x 390 mm deep set at 475 mm from floor with a load capacity of 160 kg (complies with AS 1428.1 1998)
• Toilet seat height - 450 mm from floor level
• Vanity basin height - 750mm - 800mm from floor level
• Auto-sensing night lights

One bathroom also has an electronic bidet for dignified personal hygiene. The bidet seat height is 460 mm from floor level.

All bathrooms are spotlessly maintained and hygienically disinfected with high-pressure steam.

Pool

For access and hydrotherapy purposes, the saltwater pool has:

• Electronic pool hoist transfer seat that can be operated independently or with the help of an attendant - load capacity 140 kg
• Wide tread, narrow riser pool steps and central stainless steel handrail
• Wide sloping 'beach' area
• Horizontal stainless steel handrails on two sides of the pool, just below the surface of the water
• Automatic gate, operated by either keypad or remote control

Entertainment

Soak up the views of majestic Wollumbin Mt Warning as you enjoy your breakfast and watch village life from the large front deck. Then in the evenings dine and relax in the garden Pavilion overlooking the pool. Guests are welcome to use the fully-equipped gas barbeque and picnic settings. Dinner can also be provided by arrangement.

Other facilities available include:

• Large flat screen digital television with multimedia capabilities and surround sound
• Inhouse movies
• DVD recorder
• CD stacker, iPod dock
• 3/4 slate billiard table, fully refurbished
• Small library and assortment of games, including magnified light, low vision playing cards, large print books and Braille scrabble
• Computer nook with low vision monitor and large letter keyboard with Braille overlay
• Wireless Internet, fast broadband

Accessible attractions

Located in the far north eastern corner of NSW, Uki is only:

• 4 km from the turnoff to the World Heritage listed rainforest of Wollumbin Mt Warning National Park
• 15 minutes from Murwillumbah
• 30 minutes from Mullumbimby, Nimbin and the surfing beaches of Cabarita (Bogangar) and Kingscliff
• 40 minutes from the Gold Coast and Coolangatta International Airport
• 45 minutes from Byron Bay, Bangalow and Currumbin

Closer to home, the Uki Guesthouse occupies a prime position overlooking Uki Village and The Buttery.

• The Tweed River Sensitivity Walk starts just behind the Buttery and meanders along the river bank down to Platypus Corner. The Uki Community have volunteered their time and efforts to this fabulous project and have made the track accessible by mobility scooter (weather permitting). The Uki Guesthouse can provide guests with a picnic lunch to enjoy enroute.
• Uki Village amenities are within close walking distance (or mobility scooter) from the Guesthouse, including Babareki Beads, Precious Earth Pottery, Re's Intrigues, Mama Aum and several other shops well worth browsing for unusual or unique items.
• The Local Produce Markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the nearby Community Hall.
• The Buttery Bazaar is held on the third Sunday of every month, and although there are a variety of items for sale, the event is primarily an outlet for our local artisans - predominantly artists and sculptors.
• Adjacent to the Guesthouse is First Light Natural Therapies and the licenced Uki Café.
• One of the owners, Jules, is also a community member of the Tweed Shire Council's Disability and Access Committee and is liaising with the local Riding for the Disabled and Surfers with Disabilities to see if it is possible for guests to participate.

Transport

Within the next few months Uki hope to have a wheelchair-friendly transport vehicle for day excursions and airport transfers. In the meantime a taxi fare from Coolangatta Airport is approximately $100.

Accommodation rates

• Weekly rate: AU$900
• Weekends: AU$150
• Night midweek: AU$140
• Minimum stay: 2 nights
• Maximum stay: 59 nights

Extras

• Mobility scooter: daily rate AU$15, weekly rate $AU70
• Wireless notebook: daily rate AU$40, weekly rate AU$190
• Mountain bike: daily rate AU$40, weekly rate AU$190

Note: Pricing is subject to change. Please confirm pricing with the property owner.

Contact details

Everyone is welcome at Uki. If you are looking for wheelchair accessible or easy access accommodation that offers privacy, supported independence as well as the opportunity to socialise with others we feel sure you'll enjoy the Uki Gueshouse.

For more information please contact Jules or Maggie by phone or email:

• Phone: 02 6679 5777
• Email: info@ukiguesthouse.com.au
• Website: www.ukiguesthouse.com.au