Each year on 3 December, International Day of People with Disability encourages communities around the world to recognise the rights, contributions and experiences of people with disability. It is a reminder to challenge old assumptions, reduce stigma and build a society where everyone can meaningfully participate, not just be present. At its heart, this day is about moving from awareness to action, from acknowledgement to access, and from inclusion as an idea to inclusion as a lived experience.
At Stronger Together Foundation, our work is closely aligned with this purpose. We support children with disabilities, developmental delays and neurodivergent children and their families through therapy, group programs, community access and outreach. However, beyond services, our mission is grounded in a bigger goal: to help the community understand, support and include children with developmental delays or neurodivergent children to ensure active and meaningful participation in society.
Inclusion is not just about ramps, policies or words on a poster. It’s about people. It’s about how children are welcomed into classrooms and community groups (such as sporting groups), how families feel at community events, how siblings are supported, how businesses adapt, and how everyday environments make people feel respected, seen and safe.
What Does Inclusion Really Look Like?
When we talk about inclusion, we are not simply referring to access. Access means you can be there. Inclusion means you can truly belong.
- It looks like a child attending their first school party without sensory overwhelm because there is a quiet space available.
- It looks like an educator who knows how to support a student using visual schedules or communication devices.
- It looks like a sibling being acknowledged for their unique role in the family and having a space like SibWorks where they feel understood.
- It looks like parents no longer feeling alone because there is a community walking beside them.
Inclusion is shaped by attitudes which in turn shapes actions. When businesses choose to learn about sensory needs, when events provide calmer spaces, when neighbours listen without judgement, inclusion becomes real.
Small Changes, Meaningful Participation
One of the biggest barriers families caring for a person with disability face is not just access to support. It is belonging. Many parents tell us they avoid community events not because their child cannot attend, but because they have a fear of negative social judgement.
That is why we focus on practical, evidence-based ways to break down barriers and make participation possible for every family.
- Family community events such as our inclusive evenings at Lollipops and Inflatable World give children the chance to enjoy typical childhood experiences in spaces that are calmer, predictable and supportive. Families often tell us these are some of the only events they feel confident attending.
- Sensory Tent provides a quiet, low-stimulus environment at major community events so children can regulate, reset and rejoin when they are ready. Its presence alone sends an important message to families: you matter here, and your needs have been considered.
- Community education and professional development help shift attitudes and understanding across the Hills and beyond. By equipping educators, therapists, businesses and councils with practical neuro-affirming strategies, we are reducing stigma and creating communities that welcome difference rather than fear it.
- Mobile therapy and outreach remove the pressure of travel, unfamiliar environments and rigid appointment structures. By meeting children where they feel safest, we support genuine engagement and reduce stress for the entire family.
- Andy Bear Club and Create, Play & Explore create opportunities for children to build friendships, confidence and foundational skills in settings designed specifically for their needs. These groups offer a sense of belonging that many families struggle to find elsewhere.
These initiatives are not simply programs on a calendar. They dismantle barriers that have kept families on the sidelines. They open doors to connection and confidence. They turn community spaces into welcoming places. And they shift participation from something families have to fight for to something they can access with pride and ease.
Inclusion Is a Shared Responsibility
International Day of People with Disability is not just an observance. It is an invitation. It reminds us that inclusion is not solely the responsibility of families, educators or therapists. It is something we build together as a community, and a responsibility shared by all of us. Creating meaningful participation does not always require large funding or complicated plans. Sometimes it starts with simple gestures.
- Ask what would help families feel more comfortable.
- Proactively learn about sensory needs, communication differences and inclusive language.
- Offer flexibility in expectations, environments and attitudes.
- Assume competence, honour differences and celebrate strengths.
Support begins with understanding. Inclusion begins with listening.
Our Commitment at the Stronger Together Foundation
Stronger Together Foundation stands with children and families every day, not just on 3 December. We believe every child deserves to feel confident, included and valued in their community, regardless of their abilities, communication styles or support needs.
And we believe inclusion does not need to be perfect. It just needs to be intentional.
This International Day of People with Disability, we invite our community, educators, neighbours, businesses, families and friends to reflect not only on how we raise awareness, but how we can help children and families participate, connect and belong.
Inclusion is not a day on the calendar. It is everyday!
