Tuesday 3 December is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
Robyn McKean, sharing her experience as part of the #WeAreAble campaign
But what does it mean when we say disability? A disability is any condition that restricts a person's mental, sensory or mobility functions. It may be caused by accident, trauma, genetics or disease. A disability may be temporary or permanent, total or partial, lifelong or acquired, visible or invisible. Put simply, it impacts a person's ability to think, move or communicate.
IDPwD exists to make sure that environmental and social barriers are identified, and to help everyone to work together to overcome them.
CFA is working towards being a disability inclusive organisation, where people with a disability can actively contribute towards CFA's mission of protecting life and property.
Earlier this year, CFA partnered with Volunteering Victoria as part of the Victoria Alive project. The project aimed to improve disability inclusion in the volunteering community sector, through a range of awareness raising activities and initiatives. Through the #WeAreAble media campaign, organisations were able to shine a light on the valuable contributions that volunteers with disability make and, with a few minor adjustments to how we approach things, highlight the variety of roles that people with disability can do.
For the campaign, Robyn McKean of Greendale Brigade shared her experience as a volunteer member and Junior Leader. She spoke about the support she has received from the members in her Brigade, to enable her to participate in a range of activities. By making small adjustments to the way they worked, the Brigade has been able to break down some of the barriers to inclusion.
'They've never seen me with a disability. They've just helped me as much as they can' she said.
View Robyn's interview: https://youtu.be/qYnNOp_kock, or access the full list of videos on the Victoria Alive website.
If you are planning an event to recognise the valuable contribution and achievements that people with disability have made in CFA or in the community, check out IPDwD website for ideas.
