Bellarine Disability Fair makes an impact

LAST week’s Bellarine Disability Fair has been hailed as a wide-ranging success, helping fill a knowledge gap identified by local organisations with local residents about the services available across the region.

Held at the Leopold Library on July 31, the Bellarine Disability Fair saw attendees speak with local disability services and hear a presentation about navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

MatchWorks, a disability employment service of genU, was a key organiser of the event along with Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation (GRLC), and interacted with residents about their services available for primary-aged children.

MatchWorks East Geelong site manager Dawn Brown said working with GRLC to create the initiative was a positive step.

“Partnering with the library helps us increase visibility of services for the Bellarine community and will improve access for people with disability to the right services.

genU chief executive officer Clare Amies said it was important for genU to participate in the fair to continue building its local profile.

“These face-to-face collaborative events are vital for the community.

“It creates an easy opportunity for people to learn what services are available, how they can access them, and ask questions to help them make decisions.

“The connections made at these events can also uncover new opportunities for ensuring people have the broad supports they sometimes need to help them reach their full potential.”

Other organisations involved in the fair were City of Greater Geelong, Bellarine Living and Learning Centre, The Inclusion Way, Cocoon SDA Care, In Place and Edge.