Waverley Council announces new funding for mainstream disability inclusion

16 November 2022

Waverley Council is offering up to $20,000 in grant funding to not-for-profit organisations with a local connection to provide opportunities for people with a disability to participate in mainstream Waverley life.

This is the first time that Council has offered a grant to promote inclusion for people with a disability to support mainstream participation as identified in consultations for Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2022-26.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the Pathways to Inclusion funding would be ideal for smaller programs or service enhancements that provide broader access to the opportunities the wider Waverley community enjoys.

“People with a disability are represented in every age, social and cultural group in our community and the aim of this funding is to increase inclusion in employment, recreation, and cultural opportunities,” Mayor Masselos said.

“Disability does not discriminate and we’re hoping to attract applicants that provide mainstream activities that are inclusive, and that could be anything from sports to the arts.

“An inclusive community is a community where everyone belongs and I encourage our local community groups to think about how this funding could boost the inclusivity of their programs.”

The DIAP recognises the underlying social responsibility of local government and others to promote the rights of people with disability, improve access and participation in community life, and to value diversity and inclusion.

Applications for the Pathways to Inclusion funding are now being received through expression of interest (EOI), closing Friday, 16 December 2022. For more information, or to submit a proposal, click here. The funding is for 2022/23 but Council may award longer term funding for successful applicants.

The proposals must align with one or more goals in the DIAP and provide evidence of a need for the program and/or service enhancements or an opportunity it creates, among other criteria.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.