With a theme of “Amplifying the leadership of people with disability for an inclusive and sustainable future”, this year’s International Day of People with Disability was warmly embraced by everyone at The Disability Trust.
Events were held right throughout our organisation’s wide geographical footprint as people came together to commemorate the global event on 3 December.
In Sydney, The Disability Trust celebrated IDPwD at the Julia Reserve Precinct in Oran Park with a jam-packed program of activities, including a jumping castle, mini melts ice cream, face painting and CycleAbility.
Families and participants from local day programs joined in, enjoying the free sausage sizzle and coffee van, which added to the cheer to the event. Attendees played outdoor games like basketball and rode bikes around the park, adding to the spirit of fun and connection.
The weather was warm at the Wollonong IDPwD event at Integral Energy Park at Dapto with a scavenger hunt the highlight of the day.
Participants and staff members from the Residential and Day Options also enjoyed the sausage sizzle, live music, face painting, sports activities and various games.
For the scavenger hunt, the competitors had to locate the pictures of four aspiring leaders with disability that had been hidden around the park.
These influential people included disability activist, writer and comedian Stella Young, former Australian of the year, Paralympian, keynote speaker and business owner Dylan Alcott, cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who changed our view of the universe with his remarkable theories, and American actress and activist Marlee Matlin.
The face painting and temporary tattoos were a hit with plenty of requests for Christmas art and neck tattoos.
In Newcastle, Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park was the place to be.
This event also featured a free sausage sizzle lunch, as well as live entertainment and music.
Attendees enjoyed exploring the facilities, including the splash park and accessible safari tent. There was also a sensory tent for a quiet, supportive space and accessible bikes with side carts for people to sit back and enjoy the ride.
In Canberra, The Disability Trust’s ACT and Queanbeyan crew combined IDPwD with their end-of-year awards presentation.
The theme was “Red Carpet Ready” and the guests did not disappoint – showing off their finest threads as they walked into the event and then their best moves on the dance floor later in the evening.
We celebrated the achievements of our participants for 2024, whether the goals were big or small, with everyone receiving recognition for their amazing efforts.
In Goulburn, the team celebrated IDPwD at the Veolia Arena as part of the Goulburn Inclusion Forum.
Participants sold their Trusty Pet Treats at a stall and we also had staff members at another display area who were promoting The Disability Trust’s services and programs in the region.
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