Interactive program promotes inclusiveness

A grocery shopping competition, interactive challenges and wheelchair tennis tournament are some of the highlights of this year’s Disability Action Week program in Cairns.

Acknowledging, understanding and celebrating the contributions of people living with a disability make to the community are central to this year’s Disability Action Week program.

Cairns Regional Council has partnered with local organisations to present a program of activities designed to celebrate differing abilities and promote supportive communities.

“This important week is very much about promoting inclusiveness in our community,” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said.

“Disability Action Week aims to empower people with a disability, raise awareness and celebrate how we can work together as a community to be more inclusive and to overcome challenges.”

Disability Action Week events get underway tomorrow (14 September) with a two-day wheelchair tennis tournament and development camp at the Trinity Beach Tennis Club.

On Wednesday (18 September), 15 participants will compete in the Take My Seat grocery challenge. Supported by Spinal Life Australia, competitors need to collect grocery items while being seated in a wheelchair.

ARC Disability Services presents Project Ability on Friday (20 September), featuring interactive activities that will allow visitors to experience some of the challenges faced by people with disability, and reflect on what they can do to ensure equality and inclusivity for all.

“We can all contribute to a more inclusive and supportive community that values and celebrates its differences,” Cr Manning said.

“It is great to see such a varied and interactive program, from sporting events involving tennis and golf, to a host of social activities and also quirky events like the grocery shopping competition, all of which promote understanding and awareness.

“One-in-five Queenslanders has a disability, which means disability has touched almost everyone in our community, so it is vital we provide a platform to promote and embrace inclusiveness for everyone.”

Disability Action Week will be celebrated from 15 to 22 September 2019.

Program of events:

The Warhaven Social Club is planning a program of activities to celebrate Disability Action Week.

The free activities are designed for residents at Warhaven as well as members of the RSL and Mates4Mates, friends and family of residents and members of the community with a disability.

When: 15-22 September

Time: Various

Where: Warhaven

Take My Seat will involve 15 participants from the local community competing in a challenge to collect grocery items while being seated in a wheelchair. The fastest competitor with the correct items will win the trophy.

The event is supported by Spinal Life Australia which raises awareness of spinal injuries and fosters inclusion for people with spinal cord damage in the region.

When: 18 September

Time: 7.30am-8.30am

Where: Coles Supermarket, Stockland Cairns Shopping Centre.

Contact: [email protected]

Presented by ARC Disability Services, Project Ability features nine stalls with interactive activities so visitors can experience challenges faced by people with disability and reflect on what they can do to ensure equality and exclusivity for all. The event is all about empowering those with a disability and will also feature a pop-up café and stage performances.

When: 20 September

Time: 1pm-4pm

Where: East Events Lawn, Cairns Esplanade

Contact: ARC Disability Services – 0424 306 147.

Movere highlights the benefits of increasing access and social inclusion for people with all abilities through the culture of dancing, dance classes and performances.

The two-day event features a series of free community dance-movement, health and wellbeing workshops for people with disability and their caregivers.

When: 21-22 September

Time: 9am-4pm

Where: Cairns and District Senior Citizens

Contact: www.thedancingrose.com/movere

Join a great day of golf and help raise funds to run professional golf clinics for people with disability.

It features an 18-hole stableford competition ($45), lunch and drink package, awards presentation, great prizes and information stalls.

When: 20 September

Time: From 8.30am

Where: Half Moon Bay Golf Club, 66 Wattle Street, Yorkeys Knob.

Contact/Register: 4055 7933

Trinity Beach Tennis Club is making tennis accessible to people of all abilities with a two-day development camp.

When: 14-15 September

Time: 8.30am-11:00am, followed by match play.

Where: Trinity Beach Tennis Club, 1 Pecten Close, Trinity Beach.

Contact/Register: Fred Lay 0407 968 578 or [email protected]

This Far North Queensland tournament is another great opportunity to boost your Australian National Wheelchair Ranking.

Entry fee ($40) includes lunch on both days and a club barbecue on Saturday evening.

When: 14-15 September

Where: Trinity Beach Tennis Club, 1 Pecten Close, Trinity Beach.

Contact/Register: Fred Lay 0407 968 578 or [email protected]