Handbook Helps with Inclusion of Older People

A handbook aimed at supporting the inclusion of older people with a disability in mainstream community-based activities will be available for community groups to improve participation rates.

The guide, This is Our Space- Ageing with Disability, was created by the national body for older people, COTA and includes information, strategies and tools to support community groups in making the participation of older people with a disability in their activities more likely and easier.

COTA Australia CEO Ian Yates said the handbook was a great resource to help community groups make the most of the knowledge, experience and input of older people with a disability.

“There is a growing population of older people and more than half of them have a reported disability of some kind,” he said.

“We need new ways of supporting older Australians to remain engaged and ensuring people of all abilities can fully participate in community life.

“While we remain alert to active discrimination against older people with a disability, often exclusion from group activities occurs through a lack of awareness, or uncertainty about what can be done.

“This is Our Space can help start the conversation and offer staff and community group members support for better participation by older people with a disability.”

Yates said the guide also offered “inspirational, real life stories” of successful group activities.

“Remaining active and participating as full citizens is as important to the health and wellbeing of older people with a disability as it is for those without a disability,” he said.

For more information on the handbook visit COTA.