International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability.
The theme for IDPwD 2021 is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.
I am excited to say that this year our participants, staff and Y community participated in an Australia world record event in partnership with Victoria Police. This event is being held on the 3rd at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Our contribution to this event was making over 350 meters of paper chains and our partners making chains as well. Victoria police will be present our official Australian record certificate over the next few weeks at Y Space (with photo’s to come)
As a Y our belief is in the “power of inspire young people” but did you know that in Inclusion Services:
- 84% of our participants are under the aged of 30
- We ran over 7,300 sessions/ events over the past 12 months (even during lockdowns)
- We provided over 35,796 hours of support in the past 12 months
- We have created 19 program to support people with different needs and wants
- We are growing our service to support you, your family and our community
- And lastly we are learning everyday
Throughout the past 12 months and during Melbourne lockdowns we adjusted our programs and services to still be able to provide support for our clients and their families. We received wonderful feedback regarding during this time:
“Alannah has been attending the day centre at Y Space during this lockdown, due to her school being closed. Alannah has enjoyed the activities provided as well as seeing her friends and staff Alannah always seems very happy to attend, we thank the Y for this service as this has allowed both myself and my partner to be able to continue to work. Thank you again for offering this wonderful service.”
A participant has been catching up with another participant quite regularly, going out for dinner and staying at each other’s house. The participants mum said that “because of the program and the support of the staff this is the first time that the participants has had real friends”. Even though the participant spends majority of his time at day service and work that the Y is where he has found his community and friendship base.
The camp staff and management have really helped a participant to deal with difficult issues and to really value himself. His mum wanted the team to know as “you don’t get to see the impact the camps have in our everyday lives and know that we appreciate your amazing work”
Thank you for being part of the Y and for being part of our community.