Disability Events Community is hosting its second annual Community Disability Expo in Shepparton.
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“It only takes one conversation that could change your life.”
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According to Disability Events Community co-director Leigh Hunter, that's why the organisation is bringing its Community Disability Expo back to Shepparton on Friday, July 3.
The free event at the Sir Ian McLennan Centre in Mooroopna aims to make support services more accessible for people living with disabilities in regional communities.
Since launching almost two years ago, DEC has held 50 expos across the country, with a particular focus on bringing support closer to smaller communities.
The importance of regional access is something close to Miss Hunter's heart.
“I grew up in a regional town, and my sister became disabled when she was eight,” she said.
“I can remember so vividly the difficulties that my family had to get to Perth.”
Miss Hunter said accessing support often meant travelling long distances, paying for parking and navigating overwhelming city-based events.
“We expect some of the most vulnerable people within our community to travel to the cities,” she said.
“We want to be able to bring the party to the community so that it’s local, it’s easy.”
The Shepparton expo will bring 31 different providers together, from allied health and plan managers to equipment and employment providers.
“Ultimately the reason for the expo is for people with disabilities to be able to come together and have a whole heap of service providers right there at their fingertips,” Miss Hunter said.
“There is something for everyone ... it’s a one-stop shop.”
More than just connecting people with services, Miss Hunter said the expo was also an opportunity to help combat loneliness.
“Even if you don’t talk to anyone, it’s just getting out of the house, whether it’s for five minutes or for three hours,” she said.
“It’s really an opportunity to get back into the community.”
The expo will also feature a dedicated quiet hour from noon to 1pm, with music turned off, lighting reduced and stallholders lowering noise levels to support people with sensory issues.
Miss Hunter encourages everyone to come along.
“We focus on the whole community because we just don’t know who knows someone living with disabilities that doesn’t have the support,” she said.
“If you do have a neighbour or a friend or a relative, and they can’t get there, if you want to come down and get some information for them, please do.”
An added bonus is that Villa Maria Catholic Homes will provide the first 200 attendees with a free coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
The Shepparton Community Disability Expo is an opportunity to see local services and products, from therapy providers to housing solutions and support services.
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