Access and Inclusion Advisory Group

Introducing 2023 Blind Australian of the Year FINALIST… Ayesha Patterson from WA

Grass roots Community Development. Ayesha Patterson lives and breathes community! Making life better where the rubber hits the road – capacity building in the community environment, workplaces, and social settings.

Ayesha’s mission is clear: to make Mandurah more accessible to all its residents, regardless of their abilities.

Ayesha is an integral member of the community development team at APM Communities in Mandurah. Her dedication to creating and strengthening community connections has had and will continue to have a profound impact on this regional city.

One of Ayesha’s passion projects, a socially inclusive event called Easybeatz, held at a local pub, supports over 100 attendees bi-monthly, to participate in a comfortable and welcoming space. Ayesha heads the working group, supporting her fellow members to build their own capacity as well as that of the host venue.
See the news post below for details on EasyBeatz coming to Byford!

Ayesha is a powerful advocate and facilitator of inclusive workplaces. This comes from an all-too-common experience for those living with blindness – the challenge of getting a job. APM Communities provided that opportunity and Ayesha has proved that her skills and capacity have nothing to do with her condition.

Ayesha works to effectively connect people living with disability to their community. She works with employers that are committed to providing inclusive environments, ones that create a pathway for progression for their staff with diverse skills and experiences.

Ayesha is an active fundraiser for a range of assistance animal related organizations. She takes every opportunity to educate and empower those around her, with or without lived experience of disability. She is an avid user of assistive technology and brings her understanding of the tools and strategies for living a full life independently to all around her.

Congratulations Ayesha on becoming a Finalist for the 2023 Blind Australian of the Year!

APM Communities Youtube video that talks about Ayesha’s Customised Employment Journey with us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb5Ia6aR1YI

Get ready to groove and mingle at the Byford and Districts Country Club!

Join us for a night of disco and dancing, where we create a safe and inclusive space for people with disabilities to come together, make new friends, and enjoy the best music, delicious food, and fantastic company.

Inspired by the success of EasyBeatz Mandurah, this event is proudly supported by the Byford and Districts Country Club, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, the City of Armadale, Maxima, 4LifeSkills, and APM Communities.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 30 November 2023
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: Byford and Districts Country Club, 88 Linton Street North, Byford
Registrations: Click here to book

Registrations are FREE however space is limited, please book a ticket for all attendees and include carer details where relevant.

What is Included

Dance the night away with beatz from DJ Incredable (pictured below).

The Byford and Districts Country Club has kindly offered to supply free soft drink and finger food for this launch event, please note this is a limited assortment of food that may not meet all dietary requirements. The dining room will also be open for those who wish to purchase food and the bar is open for those who would like to purchase alternate drinks.

There is ample on-site parking with a small number of ACROD bays and a large drop off area at the front door.
The venue is fully accessible with ambulant bathrooms. There is no adult changing facility.
This event includes loud music and bright flashing lighting. There is seating around the dance area, in the dining room and outdoors for those who might want to take a break.

DJ Incredable, a young woman with disability and pink hair wearing a sparkling top, gives the peace sign. She is standing with a man in an EasyBeatz t-shirt in a disco venue.

Abilities Unleashed Adults is a free, fun, and inclusive day of activities connecting people with disabilities to local sport and active recreation opportunities.

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Armadale have teamed up with Disability Sports Australia to bring this event focused on promoting active pathways for people with disabilities to our local community.

The program provides a platform for local inclusive program and disability service providers to collaborate and connect to people with disabilities in their area.

The venue is accessibility friendly and has a cafe on site for light refreshments. There is a medium amount of parking available at the venue, to discuss alternate transport options see the details below.

Benefits of attending the day:

• physical and mental health benefits of exercise
• social wellbeing, friendships, and community connection
• strengthening balance, coordination and mobility skills
• teamwork, collaboration and planning
• increased self-esteem through a sense of achievement

Event Details

Date: Monday 20 November 2023
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: Serpentine Jarrahdale Recreation Centre, 38 Mead Street, Byford
Bookings: The event is free, but bookings are essential, register by clicking this link Armadale/Serpentine Jarrahdale Abilities Unleashed- Adults | Humanitix

To discuss transport options, contact the Access and Inclusion Officer at the City of Armadale on 9394 5629

Understanding and Supporting my Child’s Behaviours

Presented by the Autism Association of Western Australia. A no cost, two-hour information session specifically designed to support families and carers of young children under the age of 6.

Online Session!

For more information and to register please contact seminars@autism.org.au!

• Tuesday, 14 November 2023
• 6pm - 8pm
• via Zoom

(For WA parents/caregivers who have attended the 'Early Signs of Autism' workshop)

Meet your disability service providers that are based in or travel to SJ!

Come on over to the Community Resource Center from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday the 14th of October

With a range of local disability services providers available to meet you can find out more about the services that are based locally or willing to travel to the Shire to provide the care and assistance you need right here in the Shire.

The Expo is on over two days, so pop down next Friday afternoon with parking available on site you will have full access to the providers.

Or come down Saturday morning, enjoy the stalls the regular farmers market has to offer and meet with the same providers.

Navigate Support Coordination and the CRC Staff and Volunteers can’t wait to see you!

Safe & Found WA is an initiative introduced by Western Australia Police Force (WA Police Force) and Australia Medic Alert Foundation.

Safe & Found supports people living with dementia, autism or a cognitive impairment who might be at risk of becoming lost or reported as missing, by ensuring Police have immediate access to critical information to assist when undertaking search operations.

A detailed profile outlining your personal history and characteristics is completed ahead of time, and kept securely along with a recent photo, on the Safe & Found database for Police to access immediately if you go missing.

A Safe & Found ID bracelet is included with your membership to protect you when you're out in public. Your bracelet is engraved with the details needed to return you to safety should you appear lost or disoriented.

If you are part of a group that organises events, workshops, gatherings, team get-togethers, meetings or other group activities then this is the workshop for you!

Learn about all the elements of an Accessible Event from the marketing and promotions to the information you send out to participants. This workshop covers far more than just physical access to your event space!

Have you considered lighting and audio requirements?
Are your posters easy to read?
Do attendees know how to get to your event and what to expect when they get there?

Join Inclusion Soulutions and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale for this engaging and informative workshop to cover these and other topics.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday 10 October 2023
Time: 5.30pm - 8pm
Location: Byford and Districts Country Club, 88 Linton Street North, Byford
Registrations: please register your attendance for catering purposes.
Click here to register

For more information about the workshop or assistance in registering contact
Community Development Officer: Jorim Johnson on 9526 1111
or email communityactivation@sjshire.com.au

Employment Champions Network

Serpentine Jarrahdale and Armadale

Calling people with disability, families and carers, employers, providers, and local government!

Helping businesses and job seekers use Customised Employment supports.

A unique, evidence-based approach for people with disability to gain suitable, meaningful, and sustainable employment.

Join the introduction meeting:

• Tuesday, 3 October 2023 - 10 am to 12 noon
• Serpentine Jarrahdale Public Library - 858 South Western Highway, Byford

To get on the contact list:

Shane.Guthrie@apm.net.au

tel: 0460 310 650

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale are calling for nominations to the Access and Inclusion Advisory Group.

If you live or work in the Shire and are passionate about access and inclusion then nominate now!

The group is made up of six (6) community members with lived or learned experience in disability, access and inclusion, community members can nominate either as individuals or as an organisation (a successful organisation membership can send one (1) representative per meeting).
The group also has two (2) Councillors as members and is supported by Shire staff.

Membership terms are for two (2) years and run in line with Local Government elections.
Nominations close 5pm, Friday 13 October.

The purpose of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Group is to provide information and guidance to Shire staff on matters relating to accessibility and inclusion. The group has provided feedback on a range of developments in the Shire including the upcoming Byford Train Station and future Byford Health Hub. They have also supported the Shire in engaging with businesses to improve ACROD Bays and supported the Shire running Auslan Classes for local residents.

To read the terms of reference for the group and submit your nomination please see the Shire website here:
Access and Inclusion Advisory Group - Expressions of Interest » Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale (sjshire.wa.gov.au)

If you require assistance submitting a nomination please contact
Lisa Ingram, Coordinator Community Development
Email: lingram@sjshire.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 9526 1356
Or visit us at the Shire office: 6 Paterson Street Mundijong

You might also be interested in the Shire's other advisory groups, details can be found here:
Expressions of Interest » Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale (sjshire.wa.gov.au)