Published on Wednesday, 6 May 2020 at 10:27:57 AM
Three Great Southern residents delivered a diversity, access and inclusion presentation to Shire staff in March, sharing their lived experiences to help break down barriers and challenge perceptions towards people living with disability.
Kaleisha Bass, Anwen Handmer and Geoff Hill delivered the presentation to over 30 staff and visitors as part of the Shire’s Train the Trainer program – the first of its kind in Australia.
The presentation was the culmination of a two-day workshop which provided the trainers with the skills, confidence and knowledge to develop and deliver access and inclusion awareness training to the community.
Denmark Senior High School Student Tyler Hartfield, who was undertaking work experience with the Shire’s Community Development team also spoke at the presentation, sharing his experiences and passion for advocacy to improve diversity in the community.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, ranging from readiness for change to a greater awareness of access and inclusion issues throughout decision-making.
The trainers expressed feeling empowered, heard and supported throughout the project and said they looked forward to offering their skills and presentations to community groups, organisations and businesses in Denmark and beyond.
The Shire’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan – a roadmap towards an accessible an inclusive community – advocates employment, training and volunteering opportunities for people with disability.
Acting Shire of Denmark CEO David Schober said projects like Train the Trainer were a demonstration of the Shire’s commitment to fulfilling the goals set out in the Plan.
“It has been an eye-opening experience for the staff to witness our own community members step up and deliver such a powerful presentation with lasting impacts. This program has created opportunities not only for the facilitators, but for businesses, organisations and the wider community to bring access and inclusion to the fore,” he said.
APM Communities and Disability Services Consulting, who developed the training materials specifically for this project are working together to roll out the training package to other LG’s across Australia.
Train the Trainer was funded as part of the NDIS’s Lighthouse Project administered by the Department of Communities.
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Trainer Geoff Hill sharing his story in a presentation to Shire staff and visitors.
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