ment joined 200 people

to launch the Hepburn

and Moorabool Shire's

snakes and ladder pro

ject at Parliament

House last week.

Businesses at parlia

ment came to a halt as

the game was played

on two seven-metre

hand-made mats - a

kaleidoscope of colour,

and sparkle and

shapes.

Community Services

and Children's Minis

ter Cheryl Garbutt

launched the project in

front of members of

parliament, rural pri

mary pupils, second

ary students and

people with disabili

ties.

More than 300 people

from local communi

ties created the game

to create a new way of

learning about differ

ence and disability.

Rural Access worker

and Snakes and Lad

ders project manager

Fiona Strahan said the

game would be played

by thousands in com

ing months.

"It will teach people

how to change situ

ations and attitudes

that create disadvan

tages for people with

disabilities," Ms

Strahan said.

Project worker Jane

Knight said design be

gan with creative

workshops in schools,

neighbourhood houses

and disability services.

The games are based

on the live experiences

of people with a dis

ability in rural Vic

toria.

Businesses, govern

ment and community

agencies and groups

are able to hire the

game for staff orien

tation, team building,

planning or celebra

tions.

For more infor

mation on the project

contact Fiona Strahan

on 5345 8165 (bh), 5348

6591 (ah) or email

fionas@hhs.vic.gov.au