The inaugural Bellarine Disability Fair was held at Leopold Library with a wide-ranging overview of disability support services in the region to help fill a knowledge gap identified by local organisations.
It was a chance for people to speak to multiple services about many topics and hear an important 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). MatchWorks representatives took plenty of enquiries from people wanting to learn about eligibility, day programs, services available for primary-aged children and assistance with employment questions.
Other genU divisions attending included Business Enterprises and genU Training, who spoke to people about training and flexible course options, employment opportunities, and the wraparound services available.
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,” she said.
genU chief executive Clare Amies said it was important for genU to take part in the Fair to continue building its local profile and was proud to participate in the event. Ms Amies congratulated the GRLC and other organisations for working collaboratively to help people get information that can potentially change lives. It was also an example of services working together to help build a genuinely inclusive community.
“These face-to-face collaborative events are vital for the community,” Ms Amies said.
“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 support they sometimes need to help them reach their full potential.”
Other organisations involved included City of Greater Geelong, Bellarine Living and Learning Centre, The Inclusion Way, Cocoon SDA Care, In Place and Edge.
