Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley (SWEK)
Sport4All and SWEK Celebrate Inclusion at the 2024 International Day of People with Disability
Introduction
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley (SWEK) partnered with Sport4All to host the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) Breakfast at White Gum Park in Kununurra, Western Australia. The event was a celebration of inclusion, bringing together community members, local clubs, service providers, and stakeholders to mark a day of reflection, awareness, and action. This event embodied the “Come with Me” mentality, emphasising the importance of creating welcoming spaces where people of all abilities can participate equally.
With highlights including a seated volleyball game, speeches on the power of inclusion, and a shared community breakfast, the event aimed to foster stronger connections and promote the value of disability-inclusive sports, ensuring that sports are accessible to everyone.
The Opportunity
Despite its diverse community, the East Kimberley region faces unique challenges in promoting disability inclusive sports for people with disability. Barriers such as lack of awareness, limited access to inclusive programs, and attitudinal biases often hinder participation in sports and community activities.
The goal was to:
- Raise awareness about the importance of inclusion in sports and community settings.
- Engaged stakeholders like local clubs, schools, and service providers to drive systainable change.
- Created an accessible and welcoming environment where everyone felt valued and included.
The event also aimed to address the gap in disability inclusive sports participation by demonstrating how simple adaptations can create meaningful engagement for people of all abilities.
The Solution
Sport4All, in collaboration with SWEK, developed a structured plan to make the IDPwD Breakfast a success. The steps included:
Event Planning and Coordination
- Venue Selection: White Gum Park was chosen for its accessibility and significance as a community gathering space.
- Inclusive Activities: A seated volleyball game was selected as the centrepiece activity to demonstrate how simple adaptations can create disability inclusive sports opportunities.
- Collaborative Planning: SWEK staff, Sport4All team, and local clubs worked together to ensure all aspects of the event were inclusive and engaging.
- Sponsorship: A $1000 sponsorship covered catering and accessibility enhancements.
- Local Support: Community organisations such as Tennis West and Volleyball WA provided equipment, while Kununurra Boxing Club brought additional activities to engage attendees.
Delivering Key Messages
Speeches from Sport4All and SWEK representatives highlighted:
- The significance of IDPwD and the need for ongoing advocacy.
- The role of Sport4All in supporting disability inclusive sports participation.
- The importance of fostering a “Come with Me” culture to encourage inclusivity.
Outcomes
The IDPwD Breakfast delivered several significant outcomes:
- Community Engagement: Over 30 active participants, including people with disability, service providers, and community members.
Positive engagement from service providers highlighted the need for similar initiatives in the region. - Demonstrating Inclusivity: The seated volleyball game was a resounding success, encouraging participation from attendees of all abilities and showcasing how disability inclusive sports can foster inclusion.
- Raising Awareness: Attendees left with a deeper understanding of IDPwD’s significance and the importance of breaking down barriers to inclusion.
- Building Relationships: New connections were forged between stakeholders, including local clubs and service providers, paving the way for future collaborations that strengthen disability-inclusive sports in regional communities.
Looking Ahead
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley x Sport4All International Day of People with Disability Breakfast was a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through collaboration, planning, and a shared commitment to inclusion.
Through meaningful activities and engagement, the event successfully raised awareness about disability inclusion, celebrated the contributions of people with disabilities, and showcased the potential for adaptive sports to foster stronger, more connected communities.
Looking ahead, Sport4All and SWEK plan to:
- Organise more inclusive community events that build on the momentum of the IDPwD Breakfast.
- Strengthen engagement with local clubs, schools, and service providers.
- Host “lunch and learn” sessions and workshops to promote inclusion and build capacity among stakeholders.
Together, these efforts aim to make East Kimberley a beacon of inclusion, where everyone, regardless of ability, feels empowered to participate and thrive.
