“Don’t dis my ability” and “Piss on pity!” were two events that set the tone for this year’s International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD).
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On Monday, Ballarat hosted “Yes I can make a difference” at Bridge Mall; a music concert, rockabilly fashion show and poetry reading with flair.
LaTrobe Community Health Services spokesman Vince Massaro said the day was focused on community awareness and showing how able disabled members of the community can be.
“We’re celebrating the talents, contributions and achievements of locals living with a disability,” Mr Massaro said.
The celebration included Ballarat musician Teira Stuart – otherwise known as Siren Song – performing her own mystical and unique compositions on guitar.
Cute and colourful clothes from Ballarat store Lana Rose were showcased in a fashion parade and the Ballarat Specialist School Band and Choir serenaded Christmas shoppers who were walking by.
There was even a didgeridoo performance according to Mr Massaro.
The event comes a week before National Disability Incentive Scheme information workshops are due to be held in Ballarat from the 14 – 16 December.
National Disability Insurance Agency spokesman Liam O’Hagan attended “Yes I can make a difference” and told The Courier that the NDIS was designed to give people with a disability more individual autonomy in their life.
“We want to give individuals choice, choice has been limited up until now,” Mr O’Hagan said.
“Under the NDIS people will be clients, who are able to choose which service provider they want to work with, previously people were just told which provider they had and that was that.”
The new choice driven system is aimed at stimulating competition between providers, according to Mr O’Hagan.
“It’s a market, it’s all about individual control,” he said.
The NDIS will take affect across Ballarat and the Central Highlands region from January 1.
