‘Make space’ for older people with disabilities
A new handbook aimed at supporting the inclusion of older people with a disability in mainstream community based activities was launched last Friday.
A new handbook aimed at supporting the inclusion of older people with a disability in mainstream community based activities was launched last Friday.
This is our space – Ageing with Disability, produced by COTA Australia and COTA SA, includes information, strategies and tools to support community groups in making the participation of older people with a disability in their activities more likely and easier.
The handbook was funded by the federal government’s Department of Families, Housing, Community services and Indigenous Affairs.
“The handbook is a great resource to help community groups to make the most of the knowledge, experience and input of older people with a disability,” Ian Yates, COTA Australia chief executive, says.
“There is a growing population of older people and more than half of them have a reported disability of some kind. We need new ways of supporting older Australians to remain engaged and ensuring people of all abilities can fully participate in community life.
“We remain alert to active discrimination against older people with a disability, often exclusion from group activities occurs through a lack of awareness, or uncertainty about what can be done.
“Remaining active and participating as full citizens is as important to the health and welling of older people with a disability as it is for those without a disability,” Mr Yates says.
