International Day of People with Disability – Wrap Up
It has been a busy few weeks’ celebrating International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) across the Territory.
IDPwD is a United Nations observed day held on 3 December each year. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
This year, the Office of Disability launched the IDPwD grant program to support events and activities that raise awareness and help the community show support for people with disability.
Grant recipients included:
- Cafe-for-a-Day by YouthWorX
- IDPwD red carpet event hosted by City of Palmerston
- All Abilities Basketball Challenge by Clubhouse Territory
- IDPwD disco hosted by Disability Advocacy Service in Alice Springs
- IDPwD celebration in Tennant Creek hosted by Nadscare.
We are proud to promote events and activities that create a more inclusive Territory, the vision for our Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022-2032.
To view the Strategy and associated Action Plan on Disability strategy and action plan
More information about IDPwD, go tot the IDPwD events website.
Carnival of Fun, Darwin
On Friday, 1 December, the annual Carnival of Fun was held at Territory Netball Stadium, Marrara.
The event is organised by the DiversAbility Collective, a network of organisations from the disability and social services sectors working together to build a capital city that includes all people.
An event for people of all abilities and this year included golf, wheelchair rugby, Zumba, digital driving simulation, petting zoo and pottery decoration.
Ben, Rebecca and Daniel, representatives from Inclusion Australia, emceed the event this year that included various performances by people with disability. Performers included Emirly Say, Handsome Harry, the Palmerston College Djembe Group and Auslan Choir, and Total Recreation.
The 2023 City of Darwin Lord Mayoral Awards and NT Arts Access Awards were presented at the Carnival, recognising the achievements of people with disability in our community.
The Lord Mayoral Rising Star for 2023 was awarded to Toby Reynolds, recognised for leading by example, advocating for people with disability and his participation and success as a talented sports person representing the Territory in the Special Olympics ten pin bowling team.
The Lord Mayoral Champion for 2023 was awarded to Izzy Dak for passionately advocating for people with lived experience of disability, his tireless work in various working groups and advisory boards as well as volunteering at many events and activities throughout the year.
Arts Access NT Awards for 2023 were presented to:
- Donovan Mota won the Michele Castagna Individual Artist with Disability Award
- The Market Project won the Project Award – Highly Recommended
- Dee-Ann Valberg won the Individual Arts Worker or Disability Support Worker Award
Total Recreation performance on the TCASS Community Stage.
Credit: Charlie Bliss Creative.
Alice Springs Celebrations
On Thursday, 30 November, the Alice Springs Town Council hosted IDPwD celebrations and the 2023 Alice Springs Mayoral Awards.
This year’s keynote speaker was Blake Cochrane, one of the Australian Paralympic swimming team’s most decorated athletes. stArts with D Performance Ensemble produced by Incite Arts shared their Strong Feelings Film and attendees were treated to a performance by King Marong and the Life Without Barriers drumming group.
The Mayoral Awards Champion Award went to Graham Wilfred and Royston Thompson as peer trainers for Inclusion Australia's 'Your Service, Your Rights' training program. This training is specifically targeted to deliver rights awareness to individuals with intellectual disability by peers.
The Michele Castagna Medal was awarded to Padma (Patricia) Andrews, a peer support worker and Day Program activities officer with MHACA (Mental Health Association of Central Australia). Padma was recognised for her dedication, reliability, and being always ready to learn as much as she possible to support her role and personal development.
The Noteworthy Award went to the Bindi Mail Run Team. Now in its eleventh year, the Bindi Mail Run Program has had a significant and lasting impact on the Mparntwe community, providing home mail services to Town Camps faced with locational disadvantages and historical prejudice.
Champion Award winners Graham Wilfred and Royston Thompson with guest speaker Blake Cochrane and Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson.
Credit: Alice Springs Town Council.
Alice Springs Summer Disco
Disability Advocacy Service hosted an evening disco to celebrate IDPwD this year. Hello Summer was the theme and all attendees were encouraged to shake off the winter blues and get their dancing shoes on. Not even the wild weather and localised power outages could dampen the evening.
More than 90 people from a very broad range of the community including families, people with disability and carers attended the disco and joined in the all abilities fun. It was held at a public venue to encourage people with a disability to participate in social activities in a mainstream setting.
People with disability, their families, carers and support organisations were involved in the event organisation and planning, ensuring the night went smoothly and was inclusive for all.
The DJ and the emcee employed for the evening are both people with disability.
Palmerston Red Carpet Event
City of Palmerston showed their support by hosting a red-carpet event at the Gray Community Hall on 2 December.
The dress code was 'dress to impress' and attendees sure did their best! The event was organised by Cocoon, Clubhouse Territory, YouthWorX NT and City of Palmerston.
Celebrations included photos with Darwin Divine Dancers on the red carpet and buffet lunch, live music, face painting, a roaming magician and virtual reality experience.
Auslan interpreters were at the event to support the signing community and a surprise visit from Father Christmas gave the event a festive feel.
A roaming magician amazes at the City of Palmerston red carpet IDPwD celebrations.
Credit: City of Palmerston.
All Abilities Basketball Challenge, Palmerston
Clubhouse Territory’s All Abilities Basketball Challenge was held at the Palmerston Recreation Centre on Friday 8 December.
The event brought together people of all ages and abilities to play basketball in a fun and inclusive mini tournament. More than 60 people participated across the morning’s schedule of games and fun.
Supported by Palmerston Regional Basketball Association, City of Palmerston and Down Syndrome Association of the NT, the event showcased the talent, spirit and camaraderie of the people in our community and encouraged all participants to build new relationships, connections and skills.
The Administrator of the Northern Territory, the Hon Hugh Heggie PSM, made a special appearance to kick off the event.
To finish the day, the Rising Stars team played an exhibition match to showcase their talent and the weekly program run by Basketball NT throughout the school year for people with disability.
Some of the participants at the All Abilities Basketball Challenge.
Credit: Clubhouse Territory
Tennant Creek Celebration Day
Nadscare, in partnership with local disability advocates Amy and Alba, organised a jam packed day of fun in Tennant Creek at the Youth Centre.
More than 100 people from the community joined in the festivities and the hype around the community event was something special.
The day included musical performances, music by DJ Jammo, fun and games as well as an art exhibition and competition.
Attendees were also offered a diverse range of food options including a bush tucker cook up.
Community coming together at the Nadscare Celebration Day.