Celebrating all abilities throughout the Tweed will see a huge series of inclusive events spanning November and December to celebrate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on Tuesday 3 December.
Together We Celebrate: Tweed All Abilities Events will offer a curated calendar of events organised by local organisations to celebrate and support people with disability and neurodiversity and those who are deaf in the lead up to and following IDPwD
Events will kick off with a beach picnic celebration hosted by the Brain Injury Community at Jack Evans Boat Harbour on Friday, 8 November. Other events include dementia-friendly tours of the Tweed Regional Gallery, scenic bike rides along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, an inclusive story time at the Tweed Heads Library, a huge art exhibition at M-Arts and more.
The event series will also offer learning opportunities provided by NSW Fair Trading, Legal Aid NSW and the Justice Advocacy Service on topics such as consumer and work rights, and access to justice for people with disability.
Celebrations will culminate in an incredible all abilities art exhibition – Art Without Limits: An Exclusive Art Showcase – to be held at Murwillumbah’s M-Arts Precinct from 13 to 18 December, hosted by community service organisation Social Futures. The exhibition will showcase the immense creativity of people from across the Tweed’s diverse community.
Council’s Director Sustainable Communities and Environment Naomi Searle said celebrating IDPwD with events spanning two months highlighted just how important the message of inclusivity was.
“We want to celebrate International Day of People with a Disability this year by offering a range of exciting accessible events for the whole community to enjoy,” Ms Searle said.
“We know that growing awareness about disability and the importance of inclusion doesn’t happen in a day – having events take place over the next two months is a fantastic way to amplify the message that people with diverse ability should be able to take part in every aspect of our community.”
IDPwD is a United Nations Day observed internationally each year with the goal of promoting community awareness, understanding and acceptance of the rights and contributions of people with disability in our community.
The theme for this year’s IDPwD is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
“This year’s IDPwD theme so perfectly encompasses what we see every day here in the Tweed,” Ms Searle said.
“Community-run organisations like The Brain Injury Community, founded by Angela Kalantzis, are leading the way in improving access and inclusion through the work they are doing every day. We are so proud to support these incredible organisations so they can spread the word.
“Make sure to get involved. Check out the events calendar and join us in celebrating our diverse and wonderful community in the Tweed.”
This year’s event series offers an opportunity for everyone to participate and contribute to creating an inclusive and diverse community for the 5.5 million Australians living with disability, including more than 17,000 people in the Tweed who live with different, and sometimes invisible, abilities.
These events are proudly presented by local community groups and organisations involved in the Tweed Disability Network, promoted by the Tweed IDPwD Working Group, and supported by Council.
For more information and for a full list of events, head to Council’s web page tweed.nsw.gov.au/idpwd.
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