Surf Coast Shire Council will share story times with young children to celebrate International Day of People with Disability and promote early years understanding and inclusion.
Book readings at Torquay Library and Council’s kindergartens will aim to increase understanding of disability, celebrate diversity and provide parents with tips and tools on talking with children about disability.
International Day of People with Disability is 3 December.
Disability advocates and authors Renee D’Offay and Chrissie Davies will each lead a story time at Torquay Library during the following week, in partnership with Geelong Regional Libraries:
- Monday 4 December, 10.30am: Renee will share story time for pre-schoolers.
- Thursday 7 December, 10.30am: Chrissie will share story time for toddlers.
The engaging and fun sessions will include songs and activities and be supported by Auslan interpreters. Story times at Council’s kindergartens will be at varying times during the week.
Renee D’Offay became abruptly familiar with living with disability when meningococcal meningitis left her profoundly deaf at 19.
She knew virtually nothing about the world that was suddenly hers, but now two decades on as a mum, Auslan educator, teacher of the deaf and passionate advocate she shares valuable insights about normalising disability for young children.
“It’s really hard for kids sometimes to understand, but the first message is that everybody is different, and what people need is different,” Renee says.
“Some people need extra supports with different things, whether that is a cochlear implant for me to be able to hear, or a wheelchair for someone else.
“I think kids will always ask questions, which is good, and I think it’s about having open conversations about different situations. Having examples in their lives helps children to understand better, so having books and resources and lots of exposure to those things is what makes it real for kids.”
Renee simplifies talking with kids about disability by likening it to kids learning about peers who speak another language at home.
“It’s the same for someone with a disability. At home they might have a ramp or a hoist, everybody is different, and that’s fine.”
Chrissie Davies is a child behaviour specialist, trauma-informed educator, consultant, author, mum and ‘fierce advocate for understanding neurodivergent children’ who move through the world in their own unique way.
“The national average in Australia indicates that one in 10 children have a disability, either visible or invisible. Creating more awareness about invisible disabilities is a big passion of mine as these are still very misunderstood by the wider community,” Chrissie says.
“Disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, anxiety, foetal alcohol syndrome, developmental trauma and dyslexia are just some of the examples of invisible disabilities that people live with in our communities. These disabilities are not always ‘obvious’ to other people as they are part of the human brain wiring. We call this our neurotype and is why I encourage families to teach their kids about their brain as a starting point to understanding neurodivergence.
“Education around developmental differences is vitally important as everybody deserves to know that they belong to their community and feel understood by those around them. It’s important that we are having those conversations as families to support understandings for when our kids meet other children who are different to them.”
Chrissie encourages parents who might be uncomfortable talking with their kids about disabilities to make the most of resources which can help provide facts and appropriate language to use.
“The good news is there are so many books available for our kids and families. Storytelling is such an incredible way to impart important information in a child-friendly, inclusive way. There is no safer place than in your arms to introduce them to such an important topic,” she says.
“Research indicates that kids who grow up in families where they have access to this information, where it is encouraged as part of their everyday conversations, go on to be more accepting, inclusive and understanding of those with differences to them.”
“When we are a family that embraces and celebrates difference, then our kids go on to do the same. True inclusion starts at home.”
Cr Rose Hodge encouraged families to attend the story times, and all community members to recognise IDPwD.
“As the story times will beautifully illustrate, International Day of People with Disability is a time for increasing awareness and understanding for people of all ages, as well as celebrating people with disability across our shire and recognising our need to always strive for greater inclusion,” Cr Hodge said.
People can find more information and register for the library story time sessions via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/IDPWD
