<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Shane Hryhorec has been using a wheelchair for the past 18 years and ran into an ironic and glaring issue at Health and Disability Minister Mark Butler's office in Port Adelaide.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was met with steps leading to the front door when he showed up for their 30-minute meeting to discuss matters affecting people with disability in July.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Then, he noticed a sign reading "ring bell for rear delivery and wheelchair access". The only problem was that the doorbell was missing.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/severe-weather-wild-winds-storms-melbourne-victoria-south-australia/31cc3221-9f96-4450-a3ac-91648b5bd612" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Millions brace for cyclonic winds and wild conditions across Victoria and SA</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I just got lucky. I had my phone on me. If I didn't, I'd be in trouble," he told 9news.com.au, adding that the situation was "ironic".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hryhorec rang his office, and staff came out appearing "embarrassed" and "ashamed" as they tried to figure out how to let him into the building.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was taken around back and had to wheel past rubbish bins, old campaign corflutes, up a non-compliant ramp, and past the smokers' area to get inside.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/mark-butler-shane-hryhorec-ran-into-a-glaring-issue-at-meeting-with-health-and-disability-minister-at-port-adelaide-office/3a66d8bd-f727-4e6f-8339-8f29a9c0a071" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The staff were just clearly fumbling, and you could tell they were like embarrassed to have someone in a wheelchair visiting them and having this kind of experience," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When I got inside, there was nowhere for me to wait, there was no spot.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So I was just stuck in a walkway next to someone's desk, watching them design flyers or brochures for public transport."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/caravan-parking-limits-sought-by-sunshine-coast-council/aa740147-a800-44fa-9fe0-e982491a8a4d" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Caravan owners facing tougher rules over parking on suburban streets</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ordeal ate into the meeting and left him with only 10 minutes of the federal minister's time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm asking him in this meeting about what can he do to make life better for people with disabilities, but what hope do we have of achieving that if his office is not even accessible?" he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The pin dropped at that point. It was a bit of a helpless cause."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hryhorec addressed the missing doorbell with Butler, but said he received some pushback until his staff confirmed it was not there. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A few days later, he followed up with the office and was told the doorbell had been fixed. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-police-commissioner-mike-bush-apologises-after-taking-helicopter-to-tasmania/21d99b78-af9b-4bca-aade-f7c6f7d3c938" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>State's top cop apologises for using police helicopter to fly to Tasmania</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I run into those issues all the time, but I don't run into those issues at an office for a minister or an MP. Not often," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Sadly, this is such a common occurrence for people with disabilities."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hryhorec said his experience "shook" him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was unsure whether to share his story, and it took him months to build up the courage to do so. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Since sharing his experience online, he has received more than 1.5 million views and received support from other people with disabilities, who have run into similar issues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hryhorec also lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission to make Butler's office more accessible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-and-us-rare-earths-deal-a-game-changer-says-minerals-company-boss/dc588a43-47f7-472e-865a-c5bc90f83384" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Australia can expect economic bonanza from 'game-changer' rare earths deal, mining boss says</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He argued that the lack of accessibility also meant his office had not hired anyone with a disability.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The problem is laws need to change, but the people that we need to speak to to change those laws are the same people like Mark Butler, that you can't even get inside their office," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The only way people can work together is if they have an equal seat at the table and if they can even get inside the building."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A spokesperson for the minister said the office complied with the Disability Discrimination Act, but acknowledged the current set-up "was not good enough".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Of course, Australians living with a disability should have access to federal parliamentarian offices," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know this is not good enough."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/donald-trump-kevin-rudd-clash-albanese-praises-ambassador/8fd38add-c4d4-40a1-9f8a-53706ff6171a" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Nice guy': PM reveals extra details about Trump-Rudd clash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Butler's spokesperson said the minister had spoken to the Department of Parliamentary Services about installing a disability access ramp at the front of the building and renovating the reception area for ease of access three years ago, in October 2022.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But they were quoted about $100,000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As this expense would be a cost to taxpayers, the office decided to retain the existing accessible entrance," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Butler's spokesperson said they requested the Department of Parliamentary Services for a better office in late 2023 and early 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A property with a "more inclusive design" was identified, and discussions are currently underway to secure that property.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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