INVERELL film and drama teacher Stephanie Marshall has been engaged by Brighter Access Disability Services to document projects that have received inclusion funding throughout New England.
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Brighter Access service manager Tanya Fox hoped the final film will inspire communities to build inclusive activities.
“The inclusion grants are about funding ideas and projects that will enable that to happen,” Tanya said, adding there have been 40 applications for regional projects.
“It’s how we actually share that story, and get that out and about and also how do we let one community know what’s happening in another community that might then work in theirs?”
Stephanie was filming at the Inverell Library on Tuesday to document the presentation of games, books and activities for families with autism.
The funded project originated in Inverell, but has now rolled out to many libraries in New England.
It’s been just one of about 18 projects she is filming.
“I’ve seen Every-body’s Cubby which is in Bingara. It’s a cubbyhouse that’s been built so that everyone of any ability can access it.
“So you can get a wheelchair in there, you’ve got sensory stuff for kids that are hard of hearing or have sight problems,” Stephanie said.
“It’s a great idea; such a simple idea. And this is what we’re finding.”
Tanya said the projects are designed to equalize experience between people of all ability.
“What is going to help level that playing field so that everyone has an opportunity to join in and everyone actually learns from each other,” she said.
After attending the opening of Eveybody’s Cubby and the launch of materials at the library, Tanya was effusive with her praise for the projects.
“It’s like that really feel good stuff.
“These things are really making a difference, and they’re so simple,” she said.
“And that’s some of the conversation that we have with Steph, and that’s why we want this to be in film because we want people to understand, it is that simple.
“It can be that easy to actually be inclusive.”