General News
1 December, 2024
International Day of People with Disabilities, removing the second glance
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is an annual event
International Day of People with Disability will be celebrated in Horsham on Tuesday December 3 at Sawyer Park from 5-8pm with entertainment, a DJ, food trucks, and disability providers.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually.
This year's theme is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future."
People using a wheelchair or having a guide dog are easily distinguished as having a disability, but one of the aims of this event is to highlight that not all disabilities can be seen.
Chair of the Horsham Disability Advisory Committee, Matt De Gruchy, said this is the first year the committee has organised the event and believes it will create something to build on in future years.
"We only began organising this event in October, but it will be great to bring people together, reduce barriers and create inclusion.
Mr De Gruchy was diagnosed as legally blind in 2006 and knows the importance of removing the stigma of disability while providing services to create an inclusive society.
"This event is all about celebrating the outstanding contributions people with disabilities make to our community," he said.
"It is about creating a balance so that we recognise that we all have differences, and we remove the stigma of that second glance that people with disabilities often receive," he said.
"I hope community members come to the event and we bring people together while still recognizing that people with disabilities have different needs and providing these.
A Horsham Rural City Council spokesperson said the council is committed to ensuring everyone's voice is heard and needs are met.
"Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan emphasises this, and this event is a big part of that effort.
"It's also an excellent way for people with disabilities to connect with local services that help them stay independent and make their own choices.
"In putting the event together, we've had invaluable input from our Disability Advisory Committee, Beyond Community Inclusion, and Matt De Gruchy."
The event focuses on bringing the wider community together to promote open conversation, reduce barriers and create an inclusive society.