Kwinana residents with disability will have increased access to community and sporting groups thanks to a $50,000 Count Me In Local Government Inclusion Grant received through the Disability Services Commission.
The grant awarded to Town of Kwinana will fund the two year project, Community Connections, allowing the Town to employ a part-time Project Officer to work within the community until 2014.
Through Community Connections, the Project Officer will connect people with disability to local community and sporting groups, provide advice to clubs and groups in relation to inclusion and access, help facilitate training for local organisations, whilst also assisting people who wish to start groups for people with disability or the carers and families.
“We are very excited to of received the funding for this program as discussions have confirmed that one of the main issues creating barriers to people with disability is lack of social inclusion”, Mayor Carol Adams said.
“The initial proposal of Community Connections received support from residents and their families, with the Town looking forward to rolling it out in the near future”, Mayor Carol Adams said.
A project working group consisting of representatives from Town of Kwinana, the Disability Services Commission and the community will also be formed for the length of the project and this group, along with feedback from participants will continue to influence and shape the program over the next two years.
The Town is currently seeking community members for the working group including one person with disability, one person who is a carer or family member of a person with disability and one person to represent sporting/community groups.
Interested persons will need to be able to attend monthly meetings and provide support and advice to the Project Officer as they roll out the project.
To nominate your interest or to find out further information on Community Connections please contact Manager Community Development via email Helen.sarcich@kwinana.wa.gov.au or on 9439 0281.