FOR Peter O’Connor of Shepparton, having impaired vision that normally requires him to have his dog Jimmy or a cane to move about, is no reason to prevent him having a go at flying a plane.
“Having a disability means you have to know your limits but it doesn’t mean you have to stop living,” said Peter
Greater Shepparton City Council has once again acknowledged International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) in 2020, but took its celebrations online due to COVID-19.
IDPwD is a United Nations observed day celebrated internationally on December 3 each year. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
Council would usually take the opportunity to hold events to promote the day and raise awareness, however with COVID-19 restrictions currently in place this will have to be done online in 2020.
“Ableism is a set of beliefs or practices that devalue and discriminate against people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric disabilities, or those who are perceived to have disabilities,” Council access and inclusion officer, Mark Tomkins, said.
“All of us would’ve seen or heard the assumption that disabled people need to be ‘fixed’ in one form or another – that is ableism. Ableism is intertwined in our culture, and Council is challenging that.”
“As small children, many non-disabled people are taught to be ‘extra’ nice to people with disabilities: open the door for them, run to press the elevator button for them, or ask if they need any help as they are crossing the street.
“Of course, there is good intention behind this, but by explicitly being ‘nice’ to those living with a disability, what we’re really doing is pitying them based on the belief that they couldn’t do any of these things on their own. That is why Council is taking the chance to educate our community on what helps, and what doesn’t.”
For more information on IDPwD in Greater Shepparton Mark on 5832 9700, or please visit: https://greatershepparton.com.au/community/aged-disability/idpwd and see an interview with Peter and to understand this-ability.
