A more inclusive future
Community & Me – a peer-led, co-designed community inclusion project 2022-2023
Going out into the community is an enjoyable learning experience for all children. Many families tell us that with the right support, public spaces and organisations can help children with disability have fun, feel comfortable and join in with confidence.
Community & Me was a peer‑led, co‑designed project that explored how we can build better inclusive communities as our children grow and discover the world.
Although the project has now finished, the information we gathered is still important. We warmly invite families to continue sharing their experiences through the survey. Your contribution will help us keep learning and supporting positive change for all families.
Navigate the Community & Me project
Family Survey
PhotoVoice
2022 Survey Results
Tell us about your community
2023 Family Survey: have your say on inclusion!
Children learn about the world, have fun and thrive when they spend time in their community. While society is becoming more inclusive, many families of children with disability or developmental delay still experience barriers when enjoying a day out.
Although the original project has finished, the family survey remains open. We welcome families and carers to continue sharing their experiences. What you tell us helps inform a more inclusive future and strengthens our advocacy for positive change.
Your voice and experiences matter.
Show us where you go
PhotoVoice enables children to share their unique community perspectives and experiences with others through photography. It is a simple and creative way for children to show what they enjoy, notice or find challenging when they are out and about.
All children are encouraged to take part, and we recognise that many may need support. Parents and carers can help by holding the phone or camera, offering ideas about what to photograph, or interpreting their child’s actions and interests as they explore their surroundings.
If you would like to learn more ways to use photography to connect with your child, we offer an online workshop called Connecting with your child through photography. This workshop is held each term, and families are welcome to register through our events page.
“Completing PhotoVoice gave me new opportunities for rich engagement with my child.” ~parent
Using PhotoVoice
Help your child take photos of activities they enjoy in the community, as well as things they might find challenging. A phone, tablet or camera can all work well.
When you are ready, upload the images to PhotoVoice. You can support your child by helping with the upload and guiding them through the simple questions that follow. This helps us understand their experiences in their own way.
Victoria’s PhotoVoice experience
On Saturday mornings, Victoria and her carer, Van, enjoy a simple routine together. They visit a café by the beach for a babycino and then take a relaxing walk along the shore. These small moments became meaningful opportunities to explore what Victoria enjoys in her community.
“While helping Victoria share her views through PhotoVoice, there was this beautiful awareness I wouldn’t otherwise have had. It was just wonderful to realise that Victoria could engage in a conversation to express things she likes. This reminded me to step back more to give her that opportunity because her voice matters.”
~Melo (Victoria’s dad)
PhotoVoice – A father’s story
“Doing this survey gave me a chance to reflect on where we are as a family in our community, and it helped me realise we are not quite where I hoped we would be.
PhotoVoice made the experience more than just a survey. It showed me that I had been underestimating my daughter’s ability to make decisions and express herself. With a camera in her hands, she was able to show me what she enjoys, and the process was fun for both of us.
PhotoVoice reminded me that if I want my daughter to grow in confidence and express herself, I need to give her the chance to make her own choices. I need to remember to step back. I have a responsibility not only for the experiences my daughter has, but also for nurturing her sense of being included.”
~ Melo (Victoria’s dad)
Families of children with disability want more inclusion in community activities
That’s the message we received from the 2022 National Survey.
That was the strong message we heard through the national survey conducted during the Community & Me project 2022-2023. The survey helped document the experiences of children with developmental delay and disability as they took part in community art, cultural, sport and recreation activities. It provided a clear snapshot of the barriers and enablers families encountered when supporting their child to participate meaningfully.
The responses highlighted that:
- There is a significant gap between how children currently participate in community activities and their desire for more equal access
- The greatest barriers to inclusion were related to the environment, sensory challenges and attitudes to disability
These 2022 findings continue to guide our understanding of what supports or limits community inclusion for children with disability.
Parents want more inclusive participation
for their child in these activities.
Contact us
Do you want to talk to a parent-peer worker about the program or have any other questions?
