Kempsey Shire Council has developed a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan. With your help we can create a more inclusive and accessible community for people with disability, like Jake.
Jake is a young man who brings a sense of positivity and joy to everyone he meets. Jake enjoys hobbies such as ten pin bowling, playing basketball and spending time with his friends. Jake has been working towards his NDIS goals of gaining work through Key Employment and now works two days a week at a local supermarket, which he describes as being ‘awesome’.
What do you love about Kempsey?
I love that I work at my local IGA in my community and I am an active bowler at Galactic Tenpin.
What are the small things that bring you joy every day?
I enjoy coming to Key Employment every day, where they make me feel happy and treat me with respect.
What do you wish people knew about your disability?
I wish people knew my disability doesn’t stop me from working towards and accomplishing my goals and dreams. I wish people would understand that I have a big heart and lots of friends that I care for and not judge me by my appearance.
What do you like to do and where do you like to go in the Macleay?
I like to go out and do fun activities and muck around with my friends and support workers and get Chinese for lunch. It’s always a fun day when we go out and do things.
Where would you like to go that you can’t go currently?
I would like to see more sports groups, especially footy teams playing through the week so I can use public transport or support workers to get there.
What is something you like to do that’s accessible?
I like to go to ten pin bowling in Kempsey. I enjoy playing against my friends and winning. I like going to work where my work colleagues at IGA are very helpful and understanding of me and my needs.
How can we create a community where we can better understand each other?
We should listen to each other more.
Council adopted its Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2025 at the Ordinary Meeting on 17 May after extensive engagement with staff, key groups and the community.
The plan was launched by Paralympian Ellie Cole in Kempsey at an event on the morning of Thursday 26 May where staff were joined by community members with disability and disability advocates to hear Ellie talk about her life and achievements.
