A total of $100,000 in grant funding has been made available to 100 organisations for inclusive events and activities to be held across Western Australia to mark International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
The United Nations sanctioned IDPwD is celebrated globally every December 3, with many events held around and on the day across WA.
IDPwD aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
The theme for IDPwD in 2021 is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.
The funded events and initiatives will raise awareness, educate and inform the broader community about people with disability in WA. A number of initiatives and events that empower people to achieve their goals and emphasise the importance of access and inclusion for people living with disability have also been funded.
Events scheduled for IDPwD in 2021 vary considerably and include everything from a youth disability ‘skillshare’ event in Leederville and a Para Ice Hockey Have a Go Day in Cockburn through to karaoke in Albany and Broome’s Magical Mystery Tour.
The IDPwD events align with the vision of A Western Australia for Everyone: State Disability Strategy 2020-2030.
The State Disability Strategy emphasises the importance of building a more inclusive WA that empowers people with disability to participate meaningfully and feel connected to their community.
Applicants were required to align their events or activities with the Strategy to be eligible for funding. The Department of Communities funded Developmental Disability WA to administer the grants process.
An IDPwD pledge board has been created by the Department of Communities to allow people to access information about State Disability Strategy events and activities.
Comments from Disability Services Minister Don Punch
“With one in five Western Australians living with disability, the State Government’s support of International Day of People with Disability plays an important role in fostering inclusive communities that are naturally welcoming to everyone.
“Western Australia is richer for the contributions and diversity that people with disability bring to our community and I encourage everyone to get involved in one of the hundred exciting International Day of People with Disability events on offer.
“Raising awareness in the broader community of the experiences of people with disability is an essential step in ensuring Western Australian people with disability, their families and carers feel engaged in our communities and empowered to live their best lives.”
