Inclusion high on speech agenda

The need for changing attitudes towards disabilities and a collective approach to increasing inclusion will form the basis of talks in Bunbury next week.

Australia’s former human rights and disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes will be a guest speaker at a launch event for Bunbury’s bid to be the most accessible regional city in Australia.

He will also conduct a lecture at Edith Cowan University and hold a book launch during his visit.

Mr Innes, who is blind, praised Bunbury’s MARCIA campaign and said he was looking forward to returning to the State where he lived for a decade.

“I think it’s fantastic that a city like Bunbury is taking the initiative,” he said.

“People with disabilities are not fully included in society and much of that can be made different with a change in attitude.

“Even though much has been done, I think access is a significant challenge.

“If a city sets its mind to making itself more accessible, it is going to improve the lives of people with disabilities and give us a chance to make more of a contribution to society.”

Mr Innes said regional areas often had steps to enter old buildings and signage without pictures that hampered people with intellectual disabilities.

He said if physical barriers such as steps were removed, it would also benefit people such as couriers and parents with prams.

PhD student Adam Johnson, who is responsible for the MARCIA project, believed Mr Innes was the ideal person to help promote the collective approach required.

“A big part of it is getting everybody in Bunbury to see they have a role to play, and Graeme is someone who unifies people,” he said.

The MARCIA launch event will be held from 9.30am on Monday at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, where Canadian professor Tim Stainton will also speak.

Mr Innes will hold a launch event at Bunbury library for his autobiography, Finding a Way, at 9.30am on Tuesday before the ECU lecture at 10.45am.