On the 3rd December each year, we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with the aim to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with a disability and, we come together to celebrate their achievements and contributions.
Each year the United Nations choose a theme that can involve everyone and to help build the bridge between how society can perceive people with disabilities.
The theme for this year, 2019 is “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda” This theme focuses on the empowerment of persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which pledges to “leave no one behind” and recognises disability as a cross cutting issue in the implementation of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Image from gq.com.au
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2019 Patron
In July 2019, it was announced that this year’s patron would be NSW Australian of the year 2019, Kurt Fearnley.
“Kurt is an outstanding choice for this year’s Patron of International Day of People with Disability” Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said.
Kurt Fearnely is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Kurt was born without the lower portion of his spine, and lots of determination. This disability has never held him back from backyard games of football or crewing a winning Sydney to Hobart yacht, crawling the Kokoda Track and winning over 30 marathons around the world including, New York, Chicago and London in a career spanning more than 25 years.
Kurt is a passionate disability advocate and devotes himself to several national and Hunter based charitable initiatives. He is a board member of Sport Australia, Australian Paralympic Committee, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation and member of the International Paralympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council.
Mr Fearnley said “International Day of People with Disability was a chance for Australians to start a conversation about disability and promote accessibility in their communities, I want to use my role as patron for International Day of People with Disability as a launching pad for further action,”
“People with a disability are entitled to the same respect, independence and choice as other Australians. We need to talk honestly about the barriers in society and how we can remove them.”
Moving forward, and getting involved
The City of Newcastle seeks to facilitate, and support initiatives that make our city a more liveable and inclusive community for those who reside, visit and work here.
“Count us in Newcastle” is a month, long program, which includes a wide range of events and activities to demonstrate disability inclusion in Newcastle. For more information about Count us In Newcastle contact Steve Warham 0419 616 818.
Helping to achieve confidence and skills to live independently is a very important part of life that those living without a disability, take for granted. ConnectAbility offers a team of support workers who specialise in disability services focusing on the strength and abilities of individuals. They connect people with their communities, to aid in bridging the gap between those with disabilities and the general community.
ConnectAbility is a registered NDIS provider. The NDIS gives people more choice and control, on how, when and where their supports are provided. For more information you can visit the NDIS website https://www.ndis.gov.au/ or contact ConnectAbility to find out how we can help you.
With the use of a purpose-built centre that can cater for people with a broad range of goals and interests, and with a fleet of accessible vehicles, we have the capabilities to support individuals in their chosen activity.
Community programs are run from the Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre, 44 Mordue Parade, Jesmond, NSW 2299, which can provide;
- Information about community services
- Referral to other government and non-government services
- Weekly programs in Jesmond
- Community Events and Workshops
- Hall Hire
- Free photocopying, printing and faxing for low income community members
- Wallsend Community Garden
Details of all activities can be found at the Jesmond Community Hub. Everyone is welcome to attend, drop in to find out more.
ConnectAbility Australia offers disability services, aged care support, family counselling and community programs to support members of the community to achieve great things.
Contact us to find out how we can assist you in your journey.
