Why International Day of People with Disability is an occasion for the whole community
Every year, Moonee Valley City Council is proud to mark International Day of People with Disability.
This year, we’re celebrating with a whole-of-community event on Saturday 29 November at Flemington Djerring Hub, led by our very own Disability Advisory Committee (DAC).
Neighbours and friends Mark and Tommy are both members of the DAC, which provides a forum to council to receive lived experience and specialist advice about disability.
Tommy is a familiar face in Moonee Valley, thanks to his recumbent trike which he is regularly seen cycling, often to raise funds and awareness for childhood stroke.
He joined the DAC to learn more about how local government functions and to put the needs of people with a disability at the forefront of Council decision making.
Both he and Mark say they have seen positive progress in Moonee Valley as a result of the group’s advocacy.
“Being included in the conversation is the most important, fundamental thing we need – and its being addressed more and more,” Tommy said.
Mark agrees, saying that accessibility in Moonee Valley is generally quite good. Of course, some problems persist, especially when it comes to older buildings that weren’t designed with accessibility in mind and would need retrofitting with facilities like ramps and disabled toilets.
“When you become disabled, it’s amazing how much more aware you are of what facilities there are for people with disability,” says Mark, who spent more than eight months in hospital following a stroke.
Even though 5.5 million (or one in five) Australians live with disability, Tommy says many people were yet to be “exposed” to their stories, and the Pathways to Inclusion event offered Moonee Valley residents a good chance to better understand the diverse experiences and requirements of the disability community.
Every opportunity like this was a “little win” on the journey towards equity and inclusion, he said.
Pathways to Inclusion – free event for all
Celebrate International Day of People with Disability at the Djerring Flemington Hub with us!
To recognise and celebrate Moonee Valley residents who are living with a disability, we’ll be holding an event at the Djerring Flemington Hub. This a great opportunity to discover ways to get involved and participate in local community.
We’ll be offering a range of fun, free and inclusive activities including:
- live performances by Eliza Hull and Leap into Dance
- information stalls to support your access and participation and connect you with services across the Disability sector
- Kai from Kaiko Fidgets sharing a short documentary and answering questions
- and more!
It’s a great way to connect with and discover your community while celebrating people of all abilities.
Registrations for this event are not required. RSVP for event reminders and updates.