05/12/2025

On 3 December, we celebrated International Day of People with Disability. This United Nations initiative boosts awareness, builds understanding, and promotes inclusion for people with disabilities.

This year’s theme is “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” It reminds us that we all play a part in building a fair society. We need to remove physical, technological, and attitudinal barriers for inclusion.

In Georges River, more than 8,100 residents (about 5.3% of our population) need help with daily activities due to disability. They contribute creativity, talent, and ideas that enrich our community.

To support inclusion, Council is updating its Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for 2026–2030. This plan helps us make Georges River easier to access and more welcoming for people with disability, their families, and carers.

We want your input on access and inclusion in Georges River. Please complete the DIAP survey. It is available online, at customer service centres, and libraries before 14 December 2025. Your feedback will help shape this plan.

Council proudly hosted the “Georges River Reframed: International Day of People with Disability Art Exhibition” at Clive James Library in Kogarah on 3 December. This exhibition celebrates local artists with disability. The exhibition showcases the local creative talent of people with disability. Congratulations to the artist Colm Dowling whose work, Splashing through, will feature in the DIAP design. I encourage you to see this exhibition open until 7 January 2026.

We are also seeking members for our Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee. If you have a connection to the disability community in Georges River, please submit an Expression of Interest by 14 December.

Together, we can make sure everyone has full social, business, and community access in Georges River.