EACH year we observe the International Day of People with Disability on December 3.
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The United Nations set down the day in 1992 and it was soon after adopted in Australia.
Individuals and organisations throughout the country are encouraged to celebrate what people can achieve on this day.
NSW runs even runs a campaign, Don’t DIS My Ability, that’s now underway.
One event being organised in our local government area is a picnic in the grounds of the Grahamstown Sailing and Aquatic Club, Grahamstown Road, Medowie, organised by members of Sailability Port Stephens (SPS), which operates out of the Club, on Tuesday December 6. The gates will open at 9.30am with the day officially opened at 10am.
Activities on the Day will include a Welcome to Country by a representative of the Worimi Nation; activities including face painting and drumming, entertainment, motorcycle rides, a sausage sizzle provided by the Rotary Club of Williamtown, and, if the weather be kind, a chance to sail on the dam with members of SPS in their safe, non-capsizable dinghies.
Sailability is a "not-for-profit", volunteer-based movement which, through sailing, aims to enrich the lives of people with any type of disability or none, by making sailing cheap and accessible to all.
It originated in Great Britain in the 1980's and has spread throughout the world, coming to Australia in 1991 and to Port Stephens in 2001. There are currently over fifty groups covering every State and Territory. SPS encourages members to develop their sailing skills – one member narrowly missed Paralympic selection; another won a Gold Medal in the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2015.
During the week, SPS members welcome children from special needs classes in local schools and adults from day care centres and group homes. We encourage those who can to sail by themselves, giving them the freedom of doing something by themselves. Most however sail with one of our volunteers. And on Saturdays we race!
There is a peacefulness about sailing, the rippling sounds as the boat goes through the water; there is the thrill when a sudden gust hits the sails… The kids love it.
But our volunteers often have disabilities, not only age. We would dearly love to welcome more volunteers – and members. We will teach you to sail!