Making Parramatta inclusive for all

City of Parramatta Council is leading the way with a new campaign celebrating people of all abilities.

To mark International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on Friday 3 December, Council has organised a number of activities aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.

“We have a responsibility to make services and facilities in Parramatta inclusive and accessible to all, and I’m proud to say we do a great job,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Steven Issa said.

“We are using International Day of People with Disability to draw attention to what Parramatta offers and how we can all do better to break down barriers and promote inclusion.

“As a Council, we encourage everyone - particularly service providers and the community - to keep the needs, interests and goals of those with disabilities at the centre of their support and participation. Every person is an individual, and there is no single experience of disability.”

As part of Council’s program of activities associated with IDPwD, Parramatta Libraries, Community Capacity Building, Riverside Theatre and Parramatta Artists' Studio are jointly running an art competition, ‘Everyone is Beautiful’, for people with disability. Entries close Saturday 27 November, with the selected winners’ artworks to be displayed at Riverside Theatres throughout December.

Parramatta Heritage Centre is staging Nature Walk and Wheel programs, a First Nations Cultural Walk and a First Nations Weaving Workshop from next Thursday 2 December to Saturday 4 December.

Parramatta Libraries will hold a month of inclusion activities, including an advice session on the National Disability Insurance Scheme on Monday 29 November at 10.30am.

Among Riverside Theatres’ offerings will be a panel discussion on Friday 3 December entitled Stages of Change: Unpacking Representation, featuring speakers with different experiences of disability discussing the current Australian arts scene and how it could be developed for a more inclusive future.

Information on how to participate in any of these activities - which are all wheelchair accessible - can be found here.

In addition, Council this week approved works worth nearly $1 million over the next two years to improve accessibility at Council community halls across the local government area.

City of Parramatta Council is also currently seeking feedback on its Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), the primary tool for Council in identifying and delivering on practical measures to meet the diverse needs of people with disability and build strong and equitable communities.

Council wants to hear about people’s experiences, big ideas and what they see as opportunities for the City of Parramatta to create a more inclusive community. Submissions close at 5pm on Wednesday 8 December. More details can be found here.