People with disability who selflessly give to their local community were recently honoured at a special event in Perth’s south-east.
The event 'Visible in our community’ showcased the lives and achievements of seven people with disability in Armadale while celebrating International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
The catered event was held at the Armadale District Hall, with interactive activities, and live music. Services engaged to run the event were disability-friendly and included people with disability.
Influential local residents with disability who contributed to the community had both their story and portrait displayed.
The event was a collaborative project between APM Communities and the City of Armadale Community Development Team.
“The purpose of the event was to celebrate IDPwD and to recognise the contributions of those living with disability within the Armadale community, “APM Communities team member Anthony Pyle said.
APM Communities helps NDIS participants and people with disability to identify and access the support they need.
APM Local Area Coordinators work directly with people with disability, carers and supporting family members.
Teams work with local businesses and community organisations, by providing tailored support to help them improve inclusion for people with disability.
Anthony said the collaborative project group took photos and interviewed people with disability in Armadale to highlight their contributions to community.
“How they contribute to their community through work and volunteering or how long they had lived within the community and their favourite things to do,” he said.
The team at APM Communities helped identify participants, people with disability, community organisations and inclusive groups to be involved on the launch to portray a holistic experience of living with a disability within Armadale.
Anthony MC’d the event and presented the awardees with a framed portrait of themselves to thank them for their involvement within their community and with the event itself.
The event gave people a chance to look at the portraits and see how people with disability contribute to this community.
“And for some, how they use their National Disability Insurance Scheme plans to work, volunteer and engage in their community,” said Anthony.
He said for many of the highlighted participants this was the first time they have been recognised for their work within community.
“For some people they have been giving back to their community anywhere from five to twenty years and it was important to highlight everything they do locally and more broadly for society.”
He said the event was a great opportunity to share stories and link people from different walks of life to celebrate IDPwD.
“Every person highlighted was absolutely overwhelmed by the engagement in their portraits and stories and commented about how wonderful it was to be recognised.”