INVOLVED

19/07/2022

Children and young people living in Canberra are invited to submit an entry in the Student Voice competition to go into the draw to win one of four $100 Canberra Centre vouchers.
Submit your entry by 5pm on 22 July 2022 here 👉 https://bit.ly/3npv3qd

Hey Canberra kids - the world is big and so are you! 🗺️✨

We're calling all budding artists to help make Canberra a place where everyone is included in the community by entering the Student Voice competition. 🎨

If you’re a child or young person living in the ACT, share your ideas for how we can make a more inclusive Canberra through a drawing, artwork, poem, story or essay. Let your creativity shine! 🖌️

You will go into the draw to win one of four $100 Canberra Centre vouchers. Submit your entry by 5pm on 22 July 2022 here 👉 https://bit.ly/3npv3qd

06/05/2022

A Decision-Making focused conversation asking what makes a good life, what are the challenges and what are your ideas for change?

04/05/2022

Want to help shape the future 10-year ACT Disability Strategy?

A health focused conversation asking what makes a good life, what are the challenges and what are your ideas for change?

17/02/2022

17/02/2022

11/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Wendy Miller - Nominated for Life Time Achievement in Supporting People with Disability
Wendy Millar has worked with Hartley Lifecare for 42 years, was a teacher’s assistant at Malkara School, has cared for foster children and is currently the House Supervisor of a Hartley Lifecare property, caring for 3 female residents.
In nominating Wendy, the family of one of the residents said, “Wendy goes above and beyond an already demanding role to enhance the life of my sister, her fellow residents, their families, and the community. When the phone rings and my sister is being loaded into an ambulance with acute abdominal bleeding, Wendy is there, calmly instructing the paramedics on her situation, and still there, eighteen hours later, at 3.00am in the emergency ward at my sister's side. And when she does eventually head home, she has arranged for another of her team to take her place at my sister's side, day after day Wendy is there, until my sister is well enough to return home. Wendy has dedicated her life to enhancing the lives of people with disability and doing it with quiet determination, compassion, and professionalism. We often say thank you to Wendy, but formal recognition is so richly deserved”.

11/02/2022

Through the pandemic, businesses in Canberra have risen to the challenge to provide inclusive access and services like working from home technology, contactless delivery, and telehealth appointments. Let’s keep going, Canberra!

The adoption of new business processes helped not only people with disability but the whole community. Chair of the ACT Disability Reference Group Renee Heaton said, “we want to capture all those good things that have happened from the pandemic, and keep them, because they’re enhancing the lives of people with disability.”

We encourage any business or workplace that has adopted a new process or technology due to COVID-19 to keep it as we strive to make Canberra a more accessible and inclusive place to live.

Watch the full story at https://www.involvedcbr.com.au/news/article/355/inclusion-business-video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6yjT02zsJY

Many Canberra businesses adopted a range of inclusive initiatives throughout the health emergency which didn't just benefit people with disability but the wh...

09/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Adam Robinson - nominated for Excellence in Support Work

Adam has been a disability support worker for over a decade and working with Jackson as a co-resident and his support worker for over 8 years. Jackson is a 35 year old man with a profound intellectual disability and very high support needs. Adam is a man who is completely committed to his employment and completely committed to Jackson and ensuring he has the best life he can have.

Jackson’s mother and guardian Sally Richard’s nominated Adam and said, “Adam's achievements as a support worker, co-resident, advocate, ally and friend are remarkable. It is rare to find a support worker who is as committed to his profession as Adam. It is rarer to find a support worker who has remained in the same position, with the same person, employed by the same disability organisation for over 8 years. One of the reasons Jackson's life is so good and he is so settled and content is that he has consistent excellent support from Adam for over 8 years. Jackson's life is infinitely better for having Adam as his co-resident. His life has expanded in ways I would not have believed possible before”.

08/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

ACT Courts & Tribunal Court Assistance Team - Nominated for Championing Rights, Protection and Justice
The Court Assistance team at ACT Courts and Tribunal, have produced an impressive body of work which is assisting people with disability to better access and navigate the justice system. The current team comprises Drani Sarkozi and Jesse Dichristofaro, with previous Disability Liaison Officer’s Jeremy Clay and Anton Saadeh contributing significantly to the work of the team. Projects include the creation of Plain English and Easy English versions of key court documents, directions, and in court tools; producing a 'Coming to court' and 'Accessibility' videos; the upgrading of accessible bathrooms to accommodate people with invisible disabilities; as well the procurement and distribution of braille copies and large print copies of the Oaths and Affirmations into all the court rooms, hearing rooms, and remote witness rooms. The Court Assistance team is looking to fill the Disability Liaison Officer position soon.
Drani Sarkozi said “ The Court Assistance team are members of the ACT Community of Practice which includes the Disability Liaison Officers from the Australian Federal Police, ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Legal Aid ACT, Victim Support, Child and Youth Protection Services and ACT Courts. This group has formed a connectivity between the justice sectors which has seen the sharing of information and enabled the tracking and continued assistance of our court clients. This has made a significant impact on a fairer access to the justice system for people with disability”.

06/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

The Food Dispensary - Nominated for Inclusion in Private Sector Employment
The Food Dispensary is a small business owned by Travis and Stefanie Cutler, who in their kitchen located at the Torrens Shopping Centre, lovingly create a range of fresh pastas, slow-cooked sauces and ready meals that are sold in IGA stores and other independent grocers across the ACT and surrounds. The Food Dispensary has employed Austin, a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as their apprentice. The Food Dispensary have embraced Austin’s abilities and made innovative reasonable adjustments to their processes and procedures to ensure Austin works to his strengths, enabling his skills and confidence to grow.

Timo Podlesak, Performance and Partnership Leader, Workways Belconnen said, “He’s smashed it out the park and he’s doing third or fourth year tasks as just a second year now. Which is really good. They’re extremely happy with him.”

In nominating the Food Dispensary Ros Kewley said, “the Food Dispensary assist Austin with his career goals and approach this employment journey in partnership with Austin. They believe Austin enhances their business and are always ready to coach and assist Austin to believe in himself. The Food Dispensary has had a big impact on Austin and the ripples of that reach into the broader ACT community, such as their collaboration with the Dinner with Friends initiative for people with disability”.

04/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Marshall Marasha - Nominated for Excellence in Inclusive Services and Disability Support
Marshall has been a House Supervisor at the Hartley Lifecare property in Fisher since 2010. Marshall is committed to enabling those he cares for to experience life to the fullest, while managing the expectations of their respective family members.

The family members who nominated Marshall said, “Marshall is a warm, caring, and supportive team leader who ensures that the needs, wellbeing and safety of the residents are met at all times. Marshall goes out of his way to place the needs of the residents first. Marshall goes above and beyond in his caring for the residents and manages their financial and personal health requirements with sensitivity, empathy and dignity”.

02/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Hartley Lifecare - Nominated for Excellence in Inclusive Services and Disability Support
Hartley Lifecare (Hartley) is a Canberra-based not-for-profit organisation providing supported accommodation for people with disability, their families and carers. Hartley provides person centred support that actively involves family and friends under a family governance model, which enables people with disability to have opportunities to live their best life.

When nominating Hartley, the mother and guardian of a young man supported in his own home by Hartley, Sally Richard’s said, “Throughout the pandemic Hartley's employees continue to go above and beyond their normal duties in the best interest of the people they support. Hartley provides the best support workers in consultation with our sons and with us, the families, which enables the young men they support to have lives that are person centred in the true meaning of the words”.

01/02/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Care Taxi Australia - Nominated for Inclusion in Business
Care Taxi Australia advise they provide a new concept of transportation that is person centred to mobilise the idea of care. Care Taxi clients can book recurring bookings with one phone call or email, and we send weekly reminder notifications. Care taxi doesn’t have any fixed hour charges.

Care Taxi Business Development Manager said, “ we support vulnerable members of the Canberra community and unlike regular taxi services, we take support to the next level, caring for our riders in every step of their outing”.

30/01/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Sue’s Legacy - Digital Storytelling Project nominated for Excellence in Innovation, Design and Access
‘Sue's Legacy’ - a digital storytelling project developed and delivered through a partnership between PhotoAccess, Gen S Stories and Women with Disabilities ACT, celebrates the legacy of the late Sue Salthouse.
‘Sue’s Legacy’ was an inclusive and collaborative project, removing barriers to participation and enabling seven women with disability to find and develop their voices as leaders, learn skills and share their very personal experiences. The stories created by the film makers Kerry Marshall, Louise Bannister, Joy Easter, Karyn Fearnside, Dianne McGowan, Marylou Minty and Kerry Snell are available on the Women with Disabilities ACT website.
The production team said, “The project ensured the women with disability who benefited from Sue Salthouse’s friendship, leadership and mentoring, were able to share their experiences and honour Sue’s legacy. Project participants also gained skills in narrative production, computer literacy, digital publishing and photographic communication and developed their capacities to participate in the media and visual arts sectors”.

28/01/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held.
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Juliette Robin - Nominated for Excellence in making inclusion happen

Juliette Robin is a Special Olympics athlete and volunteer who has participated in the Greater Canberra Club program for over 20 years. As a member of the Special Olympics Greater Canberra Club Committee and a woman with an intellectual disability, Juliette ensures the voice of athletes are heard and included in the club’s decision-making process.

In nominating Juliette, Naazmi Johnston said, “As an avid swimmer, a proud moment for Juliette was winning Gold in Backstroke and Silver in Freestyle at the 2014 Special Olympics Australia National Games in Melbourne. Juliette is passionate about supporting her fellow athletes to achieve their full potential through sport”.

28/01/2022

During his Australian of the Year speech, Dylan Alcott urged all of us to recognise the unconscious bias people with disabilities face gaining paid work.

Head of Employ for Ability , David Smith, says people on the spectrum are six times more likely to be unemployed than people without a disability.

Mr Smith says Employ for Ability is trying to change that, and is currently helping 90 clients find work, including 30 recent school-leavers.

But there are some practical things Mr Smith says employers should consider to better support people with disabilities, including adapting the interview process.

"Rather than interview people, get them to demonstrate what they can do," Mr Smith said.

"They might need noise-cancelling headphones if they're on the spectrum, they might need to work part-time and then scaffold up to full-time, they might need a different lighting arrangement because the lights might cause them physical pain."

During his Australian of the Year speech, Dylan Alcott urged all of us to recognise the unconscious bias people with disabilities face gaining paid work.

Head of Employ for Ability, David Smith, says people on the spectrum are six times more likely to be unemployed than people without a disability.

Mr Smith says Employ for Ability is trying to change that, and is currently helping 90 clients find work, including 30 recent school-leavers.

But there are some practical things Mr Smith says employers should consider to better support people with disabilities, including adapting the interview process.

"Rather than interview people, get them to demonstrate what they can do," Mr Smith said.

"They might need noise-cancelling headphones if they're on the spectrum, they might need to work part-time and then scaffold up to full-time, they might need a different lighting arrangement because the lights might cause them physical pain."

27/01/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held .
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Belco Arts’ IGNITE Program - nominated for Excellence in Innovation, Design and Access.

The Belco Arts’ IGNITE program supports artists who identify as people with disability, d/Deaf, Hard of Hearing, chronically ill, neurodiverse or have mental health experience.Programs include IGNITE Gallery which assists artists to exhibit their work, access free exhibition options, develop their practice through professional exhibition experience, develop a CV and if they wish generate income from their work. IGNITE programs are mostly free of charge and cater to all levels of skill and experience.

IGNITE Programs Officer, Heidi Lefebvre says, IGNITE aims to foster cultural diversity and remove barriers for artists as makers and viewers.In 2022 Belco Arts will facilitate two exhibitions of work by IGNITE artists which will run in parallel with workshop programs providing training in curatorial practice, arts administration, arts writing and media and marketing.

20/01/2022

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not held .
However, to celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021 we are celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations by sharing the stories of the nominees.

Karen England - Nominated for Excellence in Making Inclusion Happen
Karen England is a woman with disability, mother of 2 and an exceptional leader and advocate for inclusion in the Canberra community.

Karen saw a distinct need for flexible learning services for people with disability in 2000 and founded ACT Literacy Tutoring. Expanding her services further in 2012, Karen founded the not-for profit Time Out Learning Centre.
Time Out Learning Centre offers trauma informed person-centred services, including specialised multi-sensory tutoring for literacy and numeracy and Neurofeedback/Brain Training, which supports people with disability gain skills and increase their capacity to access life opportunities and participate in community.

In nominating Karen, her staff said "Karen understands first-hand the significance of increased confidence, self-worth and dignity on a person's wellbeing, and this is clear in her outstanding service provision. Throughout her life Karen has helped thousands of children and adults with disability previously struggling at school, building their skills, capabilities, confidence and, ultimately, their life choices”.