Narrabri Shire Council, in partnership with disability service providers, invited the community for an arts and craft-ernoon on Wednesday, December 6 to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
Held in the Narrabri Aquatic Centre multi-purpose room, the event brought together an inspiring combination of local council, law enforcement, Narrabri High School students, and community members living with, or supporting those with a disability.
Making brightly beaded friendship bracelets seemed like the perfect way to commemorate the day, with plenty of fun, and new friendships surely forged. In his welcome speech, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens invited attendees to have a guess as to how many people in Australia are living with a disability.
While answers ranged from thousands to one million, many were shocked to learn that over four million people, nearly one in six, are affected, which is far more common than we think.
“As everyone here today knows, people with disability are part of every aspect of our community – all ages, different economic backgrounds, and cultural backgrounds,” said Cr Tiemens.
“No two people’s experience with disability is the same, which is why we should always try to see the world through other people’s eyes.”
Charles Bunyen and Senior Constable Ben Stride.
On December 16, 1992, the United Nations appealed to Governments around the world to observe the 3rd of December each year as the International Day of People with Disabilities.
This year’s theme for Disability Day was ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disabilities.’
People with disabilities experience more limitations and have an increased risk of developing a range of health conditions than the overall population.
These “health inequities” are largely avoidable and driven by unjust factors within and beyond the health sector, such as discrimination in our societies, inequitable policies, the determinants of health, and lack of access or quality of care.
Cr Tiemens commented on the ongoing effort of local government to address these areas and applauded the efforts of local businesses, community members, schools, and disability service providers who are fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.
“Council continues to set strategies and actions to enable people with disability greater access to information, services, and facilities throughout our Shire,” said Cr Tiemens.
Kellie Hardy, disability manager at Summit Community Services attended the craft day with service workers and clients and expressed the importance of having a day of acknowledgment for those living and working with disability.
“It was great to get a chance to connect with other service workers from different organisations like Challenge Disability,” said Mrs Hardy.
“It’s been a lovely afternoon, I’m just watching a couple of the guys that have finished making their bracelets, and they’re happy with them.
“Some of them are very determined to do it themselves, which is good, so their support workers support well and kick back and let them do it.”
Sandy Tapscott and Lauren Richards from Challenge Disability.
Summit Housing Services supports 54 people in the community through a team of 30 disability service workers offering support 24/7, recently branching into aged care support in partnership with GoCo Gunnedah.
“Everyone’s invited, it would be nice for people who may not have anything to do with a disability to come down and meet some local people,” said Mrs Hardy, who felt that more awareness around issues like disability access could make a big difference.
“I hope to see more initiatives like this out there to raise awareness and to get us looking at things like infrastructure for easier disability access.
“Especially for those who have a disability but aren’t with a support worker, if they’re in their own, having easier wheelchair access for example, and recognition of disability in the area.”
Narrabri High School’s I.M. Class also made a special excursion to attend, as well as Challenge Disability, and Summit Community Services.
I.M. class teacher Rachel Waals started teaching at the high school three months ago and felt that the event was a great opportunity for students to come and experience something new and participate in the community.
“It’s something that I don’t think these kids have had the opportunity to do,” said Ms Waals.
“Every student needs to understand that just because they have a disability, that they are not any less than anyone else, and we have equal opportunities and we’re just celebrating everyone for their differences, and what makes them unique and special.
“Getting out in the community and meeting other people who are similar is really important and we are so happy we could come down.”
Narrabri High School I.M. Class: Back, Marsella Morris, Sia Afoa, Claire Seton, Riley Firth, Jane Pattison, Michael McGregor, Janarli Knox, Rachel Waals, Destani Vernon-Many, Front, Leondre Smith, Kaden Harvey, Jonathon Brewer-Weston, Beau McKnight, Harley Budden, Joshua Wolf-Cahill and Trudi Ford.
