Held on 3 December each year, the United Nations day aims to increase public awareness and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

With many events held around and on the day across Western Australia, IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability.

To celebrate, Northbridge Piazza will be bursting with entertainment from 5.30pm, Friday 3 December.

The evening begins with Aboriginal music performed by people with disability. Videos will then be showcased from The Lives We lead Program to celebrate the contributions that people with disability are making.

The theme for IDPwD 2021 is 'Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world'.

In celebration of IDPwD, we interviewed Kyle who volunteers bi-monthly as a member of the City of Perth’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Group (AIAG).

He said he was proud of his ability to assist the City of Perth on policy development and the decision-making process surrounding access and inclusion.

What drove you to volunteer as a member of the AIAG?

There are two primary factors that really motivated me to join the AIAG. First and foremost, as an individual who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I am aware of the importance groups such as the AIAG have in facilitating an inclusive environment for all.

As a regular visitor to the City of Perth and someone who is proud of Perth, I believe it is important to ensure that no matter your ability, background or what walk of life you come from that Perth remains a city for all to enjoy.

In addition, I was motivated to join the AIAG as it enables me to apply my experience and knowledge in policy development to an area that I am passionate about.

Can you tell us about your passion for access and inclusion?

My passion for access and inclusion derives from my experiences of living with ASD, which presents both opportunities and challenges. Through personal experience and association with others I started to develop an awareness of the challenges faced by not only individuals living with ASD, but also other uniquely abled individuals.

This motivated me to pursue three main objectives in relation to access and inclusion: creating awareness, helping people/improving lives and creating more inviting and liveable communities.

What does a typical day look like for you when volunteering for the city?

Volunteering with the City of Perth as a member of the AIAG primarily consists of attending bi-monthly meetings.

During meetings I (along with other members) will receive briefings from council representatives on a particular topic, issue or proposal. We then have the opportunity to provide feedback to the council on the benefits or consequences of a particular action, as well as how it can be improved and the best methods for implementation.

To find out more about the City of Perth’s AIAG, visit our website.