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Narrator:
For some regional Victorians, their vehicle is their workplace.

Helen Lindner, MACA:
Nearly one third of workplace deaths occur while someone is travelling in a vehicle on the roads.

Narrator:

Five Ballarat care sector organisations will be the first in Australia to access Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults (MACA)'s new Workplace Road Safety Leadership Course, designed to improve the safe transport of children with disability.

On screen:
Vehicles travel along regional roads. Footage shows the online Workplace Road Safety Leadership Course, families travelling with children in vehicles, and WIN News branding.

Stephanie Van Velzen, Uplift Therapy:
We have had several incidents where families have been at risk. It is frightening to think that, without appropriate support in a child's car seat or evidence-based guidance, those situations could have been worse outcomes in those instances.

Narrator:
The Workplace Road Safety Leadership Course is designed specifically for organisations responsible for transporting children with disability.

Helen Lindner, MACA:
We know from MACA's research that transporting children with disability can significantly increase driver distraction. This course gives organisations practical knowledge to improve safety for both children and staff.

On screen:
The interview footage is interspersed with images of the course website and children travelling safely in vehicles. Stephanie and Helen are pictured in conversation at Uplift Therapy

Narrator:
One Ballarat organisation is already putting the lessons into practice.

Stephanie Van Velzen, Uplift Therapy:
As a result of the training, we have decided that every child who may be at increased risk due to low postural tone or sensory challenges will have an transport safety plan in place.

Narrator:
The Workplace Road Safety Leadership Course is being rolled out across Victoria.

On screen:
The report concludes with footage of a support worker assisting a child into a vehicle before travelling safely.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Parents of children with disabilities can now access vital safety information about special purpose car seats. New data has been compiled online thanks to a world-first crash testing program aiming to keep some of our most vulnerable road users safe. Julian Lancheros reports.

On screen:
Nine News introduces the story. Graphics show children travelling in vehicles and reference a new national register for special purpose car seats.

Narrator (Sandy Khoury – parent):
Strapping in my precious cargo has never been easier.

For months, I've been looking for a suitable car seat for my 14-month-old son, Ashton, who lives with Down syndrome and a rare form of epilepsy.

We tried several disability-specific car seats and he was either too small for them, or they just weren't right for Ashton.

On screen:
Sandy secures Ashton into a special purpose car seat. Close-up footage shows Ashton seated safely in the vehicle.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Thanks to a world-first crash testing program by Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults (MACA), Sandy now has the confidence to travel longer distances with Ashton.

Narrator (Sandy Khoury – parent):
For the whole family, we'll be able to all four of us jump in the car and do something other than therapy, specialists and hospital appointments.

On screen:
Sandy and her family prepare for travel together.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
After two years of research, the charity has launched a national register with independent findings from its crash tests, helping families and health professionals choose the best option for their children.

On screen:
Footage shows clinicians fitting a child into a special purpose car seat, followed by crash-testing footage at a testing facility.

Narrator (Helen Lindner):
We are testing these products, which all come from overseas, to more demanding requirements at higher speeds and higher forces. Parents need the comfort and confidence that their children will be safe and can be active in the community by being able to be driven to and from places.

On screen:
Helen Lindner speaks at the crash-testing facility. Crash-testing footage alternates with children travelling in special purpose car seats.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
It will also mean parents like Sandy can have these special purpose car seats subsidised by the NDIS.

Narrator (Sandy Khoury – parent):
Prior to that, obviously the NDIS couldn't approve something they couldn't guarantee was safe for your child.

On screen:
Families and clinicians continue fitting and adjusting special purpose car seats.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Of the 15 car seats crash tested, just eight have been published on the national register. The remainder will undergo further assessment or be removed from the Australian market for failing safety requirements.

Parents and occupational therapists are encouraged to visit the MACA website to find the right fit for their child.

Narrator (Sandy Khoury – parent):
It's really life-changing for us.

On screen:
Closing footage shows Ashton travelling safely in his car seat before returning to the Nine News studio.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Parents of children with disabilities are welcoming a crucial study into safer car seats and restraints. For one Melbourne mum, it takes away one of the biggest hassles for her son, who's living with cerebral palsy. Mimi Becker reports.

On screen:
Nine News introduces MACA's Australian Safety Assessment Program (AuSAP). Footage shows children travelling in vehicles and families using special purpose car seats.

Narrator (Chris – parent):
Six-year-old Jerome lives with disabilities and, like any parent, I just want to keep him safe, especially in the car.

It shouldn't be that hard to get this. We take for granted, as parents, having car seats in the car that are safe for our kids, and parents of kids with disabilities often don't have that privilege.

On screen:
Chris assists Jerome into a special purpose car seat and secures the vehicle restraint before travelling.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Now the Victorian Government has partnered with not-for-profit Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults (MACA) and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to conduct groundbreaking research into special purpose car seats.

On screen:
Families, clinicians and researchers prepare children for travel and testing.

Narrator (Helen Lindner):
This is a gap we want to bridge through this groundbreaking research.

On screen:
Helen Lindner speaks at the testing facility.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Crash testing has already begun in Melbourne's west, and the early results are staggering. Despite being strapped in, this dummy is not well protected.

On screen:
Crash-testing footage shows a child restraint mounted on a crash test sled. Researchers observe the testing.

Narrator (Helen Lindner):
We will be examining the strengths and limitations of nine special purpose child restraints imported into Australia.

On screen:
Helen Lindner speaks while crash-testing footage and restraint systems are shown.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
With no current guidelines, parents are left to do their own research.

Narrator (Chris – parent):
We just thought that we may be able to use any of those car seats until we saw him struggling with his head.

On screen:
Jerome is shown travelling in his car seat while Chris demonstrates the seating position.

Narrator (Helen Lindner):
All kids are entitled to be safe in our cars. We're delighted to be part of this world-first initiative.

On screen:
Families and researchers continue working with children using special purpose car seats.

Narrator (Channel Nine presenter):
Industry research shows more than half of parents say their children have broken free from the restraint, while ten per cent have escaped the car onto the road. The new development is set to bring peace of mind for parents all over the world.

Narrator (Chris – parent):
He will feel comfortable, and we will feel confident that he is nice and safe when travelling.

On screen:
Closing footage shows Jerome travelling safely in his special purpose car seat before returning to the Nine News studio.