To raise awareness about the experiences of people with invisible disabilities, Council has joined the ‘Think Outside the Chair’ movement; a pilot awareness campaign which aims to positively change attitudes and behaviours toward people with invisible disabilities.

The initiative seeks to inform, engage and educate to see all Australians live harmoniously in communities which celebrate inclusion and diversity in an effort to see beyond the chair, because not all disabilities are visible. In fact, in Australia, 90 percent of the 4.4 million people with disabilities are living with an invisible disability. This ‘invisibility’ can lead to confrontation or abuse from uninformed people when using accessible toilets or car spaces, because their disabilities may not be obvious. 

A key strategy of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 is to promote positive and contemporary attitudes and behaviour towards people with a disability. The ‘Thinking outside the chair’ project delivers on this action and seeks to improve positive outcomes for people with a disability so they can fully participate in day-to-day community life and feel welcome.

I’m pleased Council is demonstrating its commitment to continuous improvement of accessibility, inclusivity and liveability within the region, and encourage the community to consider how they too can ‘think outside the chair.’

Rik Hart, Administrator