If you could be Mayor for the day, what’s the one thing you would change about the community you live in?
This question was one of many posed to close to 30 NDIS participants at Sunraysia Residential Services Inc.’s recent Disability Advocacy Meeting.
One of four Disability Advocacy Meetings held throughout the year, the event is a chance to bring NDIS participants together to hear feedback on SRS services, hear ideas for new programs and events, and provide participants with a voice around potential advocacy opportunities.
SRS Services Manager Bethany Simpson praised participants for their engagement throughout the session.
“We had some really interesting ideas raised today and the event was a great success,” she said. “We also had Lachlan (Giles) from Mallee Sports Assembly join us to talk about inclusive sport programs, so it was a great theme.
“Our participants shared ideas around competitions for pickleball and sports, footpath improvements – just a number of really good ideas that we can now take back and look to incorporate into our social and advocacy programs.”
Participants also took part in several engagement activities throughout the session, with the aim to gauge the challenges, barriers and opportunities to improve their day-to-day lives and experiences.
“The question around what would you change if you were the Mayor for a day was really insightful,” Ms Simpson said. “We heard about accessibility issues, and the need for patience and understanding in the community for those with disabilities.”
Participants also had the opportunity to hear from Mallee Sports Assembly Project Officer Lachlan Giles about inclusive sporting programs and opportunities, while also learning more about the value and benefits of physical activity.
“Today was a great opportunity to talk about what we already offer, and get some feedback on future opportunities for programs,” Lachlan said.
MSA currently offers a variety of programs, including all-abilities netball and football, while a softball program is currently open for EOIs. Tennis and lawn bowls are also popular programs offered by MSA, with hockey also in the works.
Lachlan said the meeting had provided a lot of great ideas for future programs.
“This is an opportunity to speak to people we might not get to see, and get some different perspectives on sport and recreation in our community for people of all-abilities,” he said.
SRS will continue to use insights from its Disability Advocacy Meetings to shape initiatives that support greater inclusion, connection and opportunity for NDIS participants across the region.
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