People of all abilities are invited to join a special sensory-friendly celebration for International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on Saturday, 7 December, at the Powerhouse Castle Hill.
The FREE event guarantees a fun, inclusive, and engaging day for participants to connect, socialize, and discover various support services for people with disabilities while enjoying various exciting activities.
Dr. Michelle Byrne, Mayor of The Hills Shire Council, expressed pride in the partnership with the Powerhouse to support IDPwD and promote an inclusive and accessible community.
“More than a third of Australian households include at least one person with a disability, and 3.7 per cent of The Hills population requires assistance with core activities. These statistics highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive community,” Mayor Byrne said.
“We are committed to raising awareness, understanding the experiences of people with disability, and providing solutions to make our events and spaces more inclusive.
“Families and individuals with disability should never feel excluded from participating in community life. This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and connection.”
The day will feature a host of sensory-friendly and interactive activities, including:
- Silent disco
- Roving entertainment, including a special performance from Sally Bubbles
- Face painting
- Craft activities, including making paper helicopters
- Mars Rover demonstrations
- Disability service provider stallholders
- Free ice cream
The event will give attendees access to the latest Powerhouse Castle Hill exhibitions. Attendees will be able to visit a variety of disability service providers who will be present on the day.
A quiet room will also be available for visitors during the event.
IDPwD is recognised internationally and aims to promote community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. This year’s theme is – ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’.
The United Nation’s global disability rights movement’s slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us” embodies the leadership of individuals with disabilities.
“It connotes the basic requirements of participation, representation and inclusion and calls for persons with disabilities to actively shape the conditions of their lives,” according to the UN.
The Australian Disability Network notes that there are 5.5 million Australians with disability, about 21.4 % of the population, and an increase of 17.7 per cent in 2018.
“3 December each year is the International Day of People with Disability. This is an important day to recognise the valuable contribution people with disability make to society and the impact we can all make by being inclusive and accessible,” the Australian Disability Network said.
For more details, visit The Hills Shire Council website, and search ‘International Day of People with Disability’.
