If you need emergency services, please contact 000
Are you feeling burnt out? Consider aged care respite.
Looking for a rewarding career in aged care and ready to start now?
View our current retirement living homes for sale.
Search
Contact Us
Close
14 locations across Victoria
Principles of Montessori
Tailored to individual interests
Helping everyone adjust
All your questions answered
Government or privately funded
Government-funded support
Other ways to fund your services
Services to keep you independent
One on one care and support
Support to help you stay at home
Allied health support services
Everyone deserves a break
Connect with others
Help to access support services
If you care for someone, we’re here
Maintain your quality of life
Here for people of all ages
Take a break and have some fun
Get all your questions answered
Independent living for over 55s
Welcoming and safe communities
Everyone deserves a home
Our latest properties available
Inner Melbourne communities
Camberwell
Deepdene
Kew
Hawthorn
Toorak
Suburban communities
Clayton
Point Cook
Bacchus Marsh
Pakenham
Greensborough
Torquay
Friendly and welcoming villages
Kyneton
Trentham
Eltham
Brunswick West
Support for children and adults
Take a step to paid employment
Work at a cafe
Gardening and maintenance
Work at a VMCH Op Shop
Centre and community programs
Skills, confidence and friendships
For children and teenagers
Supported co-living
Accommodation across Victoria
In your home and community
Get the best out of your plan
For babies, children and young people
Allied health practice
Participate in everyday tasks
Better communication skills
Address challenging behaviours
Shop from our social enterprises
Coffee with purpose
Pieces handcrafted by participants
Buy pre-loved goods
Helping people with disability
Independence and support
Funding to achieve your goals
Help us improve
Menu
Back
Enter your search term below
6 April 2018
On Wednesday, April 5, a group of nine children with disabilities supported by Villa Maria Catholic Homes’ (VMCH) Flexible Respite Service visited Waverley Cinema in Mt Waverley.
The group, accompanied by six support staff and one parent, planned to split up and see three movies as part of the services’ holiday program, which provides vital social opportunities and valuable respite to their families.
Upon attempting to purchase tickets, the group was advised by cinema staff that they would not be sold movie tickets. The reasons given by cinema staff included that the group could “make noise that would be disruptive to other cinema-goers”.
VMCH staff members were disappointed with the cinema’s decision and actively expressed their concern around the lack of inclusion; advocating on the children’s behalf.
A recent statement released by the cinema claiming VMCH support staff were rude and “bullied” cinema staff members is untrue.
Following refusal of entry, the group visited Knox’s Village Cinema, where they went on to see their desired movies without incident.
Many of the children comprehended the refusal and were upset to be excluded from the movies they had been so looking forward to viewing.
VMCH is extremely disappointed at Waverley Cinema’s decision to refuse entry to the people it supports. People of all abilities deserve access to everyday activities everyone in the community enjoys.
Sonya Smart, CEO of VMCH says the welfare of the children and their self-esteem is really important and cannot be underestimated.
Ms Smart says the VMCH Support Staff are highly trained to support children and families and will advocate for the rights of the children in these unusual circumstances.
“Some of the children were aware of what was going on. It concerns me that they were exposed to these behaviours, and they may have felt different. I am grateful to Knox Cinemas for being so wonderful to the children and letting them have a great day at the movies.”
VMCH believe it’s important that organisations are educated on inclusive practices and would be more than happy to have a conversation to educate the cinema so the situation can be avoided in the future.
Media enquiries:
Jodie A Henry
Communications Manager
M: 0438 593 206
E: jodie.henry@vmch.com.au
W: www.vmch.com.au
More news articles in Disability Services
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide. Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.
Not sure where to start?
Contact us
→
Who needs our services?
Our Digital & Marketing Agency - ID Digital Agency
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide.
Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.