QDN welcomes Minister O’Rourke’s launch of ‘Creating Inclusion: Enabling Adventure’ Digital Story
International Day of People with Disability at Caboolture Changing Lives Changing Communities
Today on 3 December 2019, International Day of People with Disability, the Hon. Coralee O’Rourke, Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors launched Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN’s) Deception Bay Local Support Group’s ‘Enabling Adventure’ Digital Story.
The launch was part of the Caboolture Changing Lives Changing Communities forum held today, bringing together over 60 members of the Caboolture community to continue their work together to create communities where everyone can contribute, matter and belong.
The ‘Creating Inclusion: Enabling Adventure’ digital story was developed by QDN’s Deception Bay Local Support Group. It showcases how accessible spaces and places across mainstream, business and community organisations enable full participation by people with disability as citizens in the life of the Deception Bay community.
The Local Support Group came together to explore their community through the lens of people with disability. They used GoPros to film the day’s activities so that people of all abilities can come together to access and share. The Deception Bay Local Group Support Group is co-convened by Rebecca Bellis and Eileen Goodenough.
“Deception Bay is improving its accessibility which is leading to inclusion for all and a community where everyone is valued and belongs,” said Rebecca Bellis. “Critical to change happening in our community is people with disability leading the change. We are creating change and pushing boundaries by being active and being out and about,” said Ms Bellis. The digital story was developed through a grant from Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors Disability Community Events Grants 2019. The digital story is available to view below.
QDN, in partnership with Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) and Queensland Human Rights Commission, has been working with local councils to host Changing Lives Changing Communities forums in 12 communities across Queensland.
International Day of People with Disability is about shifting public awareness, understanding and inclusion as well as celebrating people with disability and their achievements and contributions.
This year’s theme for International Day of People with Disability is about promoting the participation and leadership of people with disability, specifically with a focus on taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda. Paige Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer, Queenslanders with Disability said, “This digital story reinforces the leadership by people with disability who take action every day, who speak up and drive change to build more inclusive and accessible communities.” Ms. Armstrong said, “People with disability are leading change in their own lives and in their communities. This digital story and forum reinforce the importance of creating change together. As we come to the end of a decade and move forward to 2020, we need people with disability to continue to lead the way, pushing the boundaries to improve accessibility and inclusion and to work with others. Everyone has a role to play, so let’s all work together to make it happen.”
The Deception Bay Local Support Group is one of 20 QDN peer support groups across the state, led by people with disability for people with disability. The story’s producer and editor is Rebecca McElroy – Bright Productions. QDN is an organisation of, by and for people with disability.
Media Contact: Paige Armstrong, QDN Chief Executive Officer, 0408 720 099 or ceo@qdn.org.au