Celebrating people with disability in Wide Bay

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local schools, community groups and workplaces to celebrate International Day of People with Disability on 3 December this year.

“International Day of People with Disability is an opportunity for every person in Wide Bay to make positive changes to boost inclusion, raise public awareness, and increase understanding of the 4.4 million Australians living with a disability,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It’s more important than ever to help break down barriers for people with disability, ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in all aspects of life, and to celebrate their achievements.”

Local schools could win $4,000 in accessible learning resources, equipment or software by entering a short video or written story about what International Day of People with Disability means to them, or what their class is doing to boost inclusion, in the ‘Grow Inclusion’ Competition.

Individual students can also win a $250 gift voucher by submitting a creative drawing, artwork or poster.

Entries close at 5:00pm on Friday 19 November 2021. To enter the Grow Inclusion schools competition, go to www.idpwd.com.au/growinclusion.

“The Grow Inclusion schools competition is a fantastic way for teachers and students to incorporate conversations about disability in the classroom and showcase what they are doing to help make their school and our community more inclusive,” Mr O’Brien said.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the International Day of People with Disability is an important opportunity to celebrate the contributions Australians with disability make.

“As we saw at the Paralympics, people with disability can achieve almost anything they put their minds to and our focus should be on the ability and capability of each and every person,” Minister Ruston said.

“International Day of People with Disability is an opportunity for us all to come together to recognise Australians with disability, whether that be our family, friends, co-workers, neighbours or members of our local community.”

Former International Day of People with Disability Patron Kurt Fearnley AO also urged local schools to get involved on the day.

“Talking about disability in schools and educating kids about inclusion is important as it helps them to understand that people with disability are impacted by the barriers that exist in our society,” Kurt said.

“By building this understanding from a young age, we can help change people’s attitudes and behaviours and help grow inclusion for all of our community.”

To watch Kurt’s video message for schools, go to https://youtu.be/G0Ln7efGBDQ            

To register an event, go to www.idpwd.com.au/events/event-registrations