Disability grants set to make celebrations a barking success

A unique project connecting people with disability and rescue animals from the RSPCA’s Wacol shelter has received a share of Palaszczuk Government grants for activities during this year’s Disability Action Week and International Day of People with Disability.

Today at Parliament House, Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke announced 37 successful recipients would share in $140,000 in Disability Community Event Grants of up to $5000, including Brisbane-based Happy Paws Happy Hearts.

“Happy Paws Happy Hearts aims to create positive social experiences for people with disability, seniors and women taking temporary shelter in safe homes, while also training and socialising animals to improve their chances of adoption,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Volunteers and staff deliver a 12-week program to support people with disability to achieve individual goals, whether that’s having the opportunity for social interactions, improving motor skills and communication, learning new life skills or simply giving back to the community,” she said.

“This wonderful program has been awarded $3255 to host a morning tea and premiere a short film during Disability Action Week, which follows the journey of their clients and a special four-legged friend who finds himself in a shelter.

“Disability Action Week is held in September each year, with the aim of empowering people with disability, raising awareness, and improving access and inclusion throughout the wider community.

“The Disability Community Event Grants are a great way to help fund local events to celebrate people with disability, while encouraging everyone to take part in community activities.”

Happy Paws Happy Hearts Co-Founder and Program Director Zoe Black said the positive affect animals could have on a person with disability should not be underestimated                                                                                                                    

“Animal therapy has wonderful benefits and we see positive impacts through these interactions with both people and the animals,” Ms Black said.

“Our clients learn how to teach puppies and dogs to sit, how to read cat body language and the needs of reptiles such as lizards.”

This year Disability Action Week will be held from 11 – 17 September with the theme ‘Inclusion: it’s a game changer’, and International Day of People with Disability is on 3 December.

Minister O’Rourke said the theme aimed to promote the inclusion of people with disability in the sporting community, as the celebrations aligned with the 2016 Paralympic Games to be held in Rio.

“Working towards an inclusive community is more important than ever before, as Queensland transitions to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which started rolling out on 1 July,” she said.

“People with disability should be supported to participate in and contribute to all levels of sport and the community, and I am pleased this year’s theme reflects that goal.

“We have a number of events this year that reflect our sporting theme including a dressage day for riders with disability in Moggill, an inclusive golf day in Mossman and the Logan Goes to Rio sports day in Woodridge.”

For more information about Disability Action Week and the Disability Community Event Grants, including a list of recipients, visit www.qld.gov.au/disabilityactionweek

Media Contact:                           Minister O’Rourke’s office                                   3719 7170