LOCAL residents with a disability will now have greater support in community participation thanks to an initiative launched at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery on Friday.
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Launched in the Bega Valley and Bombala shires, Ability Links NSW works to open doors for people with a disability to access and actively participate in activities available to the general public.
Suzie Heycox-Stewart of Bodalla’s grandson is involved in the program.
“I think this is the best thing that’s ever happened for people with disabilities,” she said.
The initiative is a partnership between Uniting Care and Settlement Services International, and is part of ongoing reforms to the disability services system in NSW since the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“The program helps take away the feeling of remoteness you can feel in a rural area like this,” Ms Heycox-Stewart said.
“It’s primarily client focused care which is different to what we’ve seen in the past.
“It brings families and its members with disabilities together as well.
“I worked with the aged and the disabled for over 25 years and things like this are major improvements,” Ms Heycox-Stewart said.
There are now 268 coordinators, known as “Linkers” across the state with 47 identifying as Indigenous Australian.
“It’s all about inclusion and community participation,” Uniting Care implementation manager Alissa Walsh said.
“We ask what they [the people with the disability] would like to do with their life and in the community.
“Then the Linkers work with them and their family and build networks in the local community.
“We’ve really been overwhelmed by the response we’ve had from communities so far,” Ms Walsh said.
Friday’s event was focused on strengthening community connections for people with disabilities, and members from all areas of society were present.
Musicians Damon Davies, Martine Horder, Ron Preston and Cara Hay performed while social links were formed, expanding and strengthening the futures of many locals with a disability.
Members of Workability, Leaders and Mentors Group, FACS, Merimbula Rotary, Merimbula District Arts Group, ADHC, Bega Valley Shire Access Committee and Bega CWA were also in attendance.
Uniting Care Ability Linker Beck Minear hosted the launch and described the initiative as “all about ability.”
“We’re focusing on inclusiveness and empowerment,” she said.
“People with disabilities have ability.
“Every Linker has different qualifications so they have a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.
“Linkers also link together and learn from each other, sharing their knowledge,” Ms Minear said.
