Moree’s newly-formed Disability Network Group are busy planning their very first event – a Christmas party to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
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Moree Plains Shire Council formed the Disability Network Group a few months ago to work towards the goals and strategies of council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which was implemented last year, and ensure the needs of people with disabilities are met within the shire.
“This group will look at not only doing events together, but keeping the information flowing to services, clients, carers and consumers themselves,” Moree Plains Shire Council community development/liaison officer Ros Laws said.
“It’s about getting everyone on an even playing field and discussing different needs. One service’s clients might have these needs, which another service can pick up.
“Quite often people with a disability don’t have a loud voice and this is a way of giving them a voice.”
The group meets monthly to go over the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and work out ways to make the shire as liveable and inclusive as possible for all members of the community.
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One of the group’s goals is to create more inclusive parks, as currently Apex Park is the only one in town that is fenced and accessible for people with disabilities.
To celebrate International Day of People with Disability, the Disability Network Group has decided to host a Christmas party and invite all members of the community to attend.
The Christmas party will be held at Moree Secondary College’s Multipurpose Centre in Frome Street, from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday, December 5.
The event will include a free barbecue, entertainment, craft activities, games, a sensory corner, and a visit from Moree Fire and Rescue, and Santa Claus himself.
There will also be a short film reel from the disability sector, as well as a screening of one of I Ability Films’ productions.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in Christmas attire and bring a gift to place under the tree which will be handed out by Santa. People are asked to place a tag on the gift outlining what age and gender the present is suitable for.
“This event will hopefully create even more awareness as to what services are available to people, as often people don’t know what’s out there,” co-coordinator Kerry Phillips, who works for St Vincent de Paul Society NDIS, said.
“They have limited access to services so hopefully this will broaden that access.”
People are attending the event from Narrabri, Wee Waa and Mungindi, while all schools in the district are encouraged to bring children.
The event is not funded, so each service is contributing in some way. A number of other businesses have also donated goods including Coles, Woolworths, Mitre 10, Bella Sante, Balo Square Newsagency, Reado’s Meats and Gwydir Industries.
International Day of People with Disability is internationally celebrated on December 3. The theme for this year is empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.
If anyone has any specific dietary requirements, email roslyn.laws@mpsc.nsw.gov.au or kerry.phillips@ndis.gov.au or call 0432 137 938.
The Disability Network Group is made up of representatives from:
- Moree Plains Shire Council
- Moree Care
- Northcott
- Anglicare
- My Supports
- Ability Links
- Pathfinders
- Winanga-Li
- St Vincent de Paul Society NDIS
- Family Referral Service
- Challenge Disability Services
- Healthwise
- Newell Advocacy
- Flourish Australia
- I Ability Films
- Moree Secondary College
- North West Nutrition
- The Benevolent Society
- Pius X Aboriginal Corporation\
- ACCnet21