Inclusive stories shared with schools

A FILM festival and question-and-answer session with two, star local athletes has helped students across the Surf Coast learn important lessons about inclusion.

The Surf Coast Shire organised Social Inclusion for Schools Week, which saw about 1,300 students from six towns participate. The event was an early celebration for International Day of People with a Disability, which is held annually on December 3.

Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bellbrae, Torquay and Winchelsea primary schools were involved in the event last week, and Lorne P-12 College hosted the headline event on Thursday at the Cumberland Resort.

Access All Areas Film Festival (AAAFF) provided short films made by children which feature lived experiences of people with a disability.

Following the films, Paralympian Richard Colman and world champion swimmer Phoebe Mitchell shared insights and helped students understand how to be inclusive, use appropriate language, maintain respectful relationships and support equal human rights.

Colman is a track champion who has switched his focus to qualifying for the marathon at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, while Mitchell – who lives in Bellbrae – is a world record-holding swimmer.

Lorne P-12 principal Karen Biggelaar said the school was offering numerous programs around inclusiveness and had a long history of integrating students with a disability into the mainstream schooling community.

“It is important that all students have the same opportunities to succeed with their learning and to be part of the wonderful social development that schooling provides.”

She described Thursday’s event as a wonderful opportunity to raise students’ awareness around being inclusive.

“Through our involvement with the Access All Areas Film Festival, we believe that our students will further develop their skills to be inclusive of any student with a disability, and include and share experiences.

“We believe having a world champion in Richard Colman who has achieved incredible success in his chosen field will provide inspiration and insight into the lived experience of a person with a disability.”

AAAFF director Jaqueline Cosgrove was excited the festival was showcased to a young audience in the Surf Coast.

“These films demonstrate the capacity of children with disability and our hope is that they inspire other children to make some films of their own,” she said.

“We need filmmakers in Australia from every part of society and filmmakers with disability are vital. Without their stories, Australian culture is lacking.”