State Government funding for International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) events across Western Australia has been announced with $100,000 supporting 97 events and activities.
Events and activities will be held State-wide to celebrate the day, including fun fairs, workshops, marketplaces, art shows, sporting events, barbecues and picnics.
The United Nations-sanctioned IDPwD is celebrated globally every December 3, with many events held around and on the day across Western Australia. This year’s theme is ‘Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World’.
The State Government made funding available for community activities to raise awareness about the importance of delivering improved access, inclusion and participation opportunities for people living with disability and empowering them to achieve their goals.
The Department of Communities funded Developmental Disability WA to provide the sponsorships to celebrate IDPwD in 2020. Funding was available to community groups, local government authorities and non-government/not-for-profit organisations.
There is significant community interest in participating in IDPwD, and funding through the Department of Communities has been increased from $50,000 in 2018 and $84,000 in 2019.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The UN International Day of People with Disability celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disability and is a valuable opportunity to break down barriers and work towards greater inclusiveness and equality.
“The McGowan Government is unwavering in its commitment to building a more inclusive Western Australia, where people of all abilities can participate and strive to achieve their goals.
“If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we can achieve so much more as a community when we work together and support each other.
“The McGowan Government is proud to once again support so many initiatives and events across Western Australia that bring people together and give people with disability a voice.”
