Tuesday, 3 December marks International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) – an incredibly significant date on our calendar. As I take a moment to reflect on the significance of IDPwD, I am filled with a sense of hope and recognition for how far we as a community, nation, and sector have come to continue our journey to make Australian communities truly inclusive.
The 2024 theme for IDPwD is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
Over the past decade, people living with disability have been supported to live their lives with choice and control through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Things have improved in the ten years since it was established, even in the face of the serious challenges many service providers currently face.
I recently reflected on the 10-year anniversary of the NDIS as we enter a period of reform. You can read that article on our website by clicking here.
Across our own disability services, we support people to find a place to call home, provide coordinated support in the home and community, and day programs developing skills, and participation to more than 2,500 participants.
At Ability Options, we are also proud to support people to secure meaningful employment, develop their skills, and pursue educational goals. I am proud that we play a role in fostering inclusive values in workplaces.
This year, Australia Post and Jaybro partnered with our Disability Employment Services (DES) teams, opening doors for participants to get hands on with a variety of key infrastructure employment opportunities that are available to them, demonstrating the value of diverse perspectives. The commitment of these organisations to expand employment opportunities to people of all abilities demonstrates the importance of inclusive values in the workplace.
Throughout its tenure, the NDIS has played a significant role in societal reform that was driven by people, advocacy groups and providers like us. Not only is the NDIS critical to ensuring every Australian is included in society, but it is a huge contributor to the Australian economy – contributing over $2 for every $1 invested!
The NDIS currently empowers over 660,000 participants to pursue their goals, whether that means finding a job, continuing their education or developing key skills, or improving their quality of life. For the last 10 years, participants have been able to engage more fully in their communities and lead more fulfilling lives by fostering independence.
We recently talked to June, one of our participants, from our Seven Hills Day Program, who kindly shared with us her insights and experiences on how she is navigating today’s environment as a person living with a disability.
“Living with a disability has taught me to ask for help when needed and to do my best,” she says.
She cherishes her time at Seven Hills, where she connects with her support workers, calling them her best friends.
“They truly love to help and care. They help by getting my lunch ready, taking me on outings and always having a good laugh,” she says. Highlighting how this supportive environment has positively impacted her life, her message is simple: “I can do anything that you can do.”
At Ability Options, we are dedicated to fostering this spirit of empowerment and inclusion, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
On this International Day of People with Disability, let’s celebrate our progress and commit to action. By challenging the negative attitudes, accessibility and inclusivity in public spaces and advocating for change, we can create a community where everyone, of every ability, has the opportunity to thrive.
Julia Squire
CEO, Ability Options
