Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Amanda Rishworth, will today launch a new handbook aimed at supporting the inclusion of older people with a disability in mainstream, community-based activities.
This is our space – Ageing with Disability, produced by COTA Australia and COTA SA, includes information, strategies and tools to support community groups in making the participation of older people with a disability in their activities more likely and easier.
The handbook was funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
“The This is our space handbook is a great resource to help community groups make the most of the knowledge, experience and input of older people with a disability,” CEO COTA Australia Ian Yates said today.
“There is a growing population of older people and more than half of them have a reported disability of some kind. We need new ways of supporting older Australians to remain engaged and ensuring people of all abilities can fully participate in community life.
“While we remain alert to active discrimination against older people with a disability, often exclusion from group activities occurs through a lack of awareness, or uncertainty about what can be done.
“This is our space can help start the conversation and offer staff and community group members support for better participation by older people with a disability. It also offers inspirational, real life stories of successful group activities.
“Remaining active and participating as full citizens is as important to the health and wellbeing of older people with a disability as it is for those without a disability.” Mr Yates said.
Details
What: Launch of This is our space – Ageing with Disability handbook
When: 2pm. Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Where: COTA SA, Boardroom, 16 Hutt Street, Adelaide
Launch by Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Amanda Rishworth
Media contact: Ian Yates 0418 835 439, Jane Garcia 0434 489 533