City of Newcastle’s 'Count Us In' festival champions disability inclusion

City of Newcastle is delivering its fourth ‘Count Us In’ festival which runs from 4th-24th September and will feature more than 40 events and activities designed to celebrate and encourage access and inclusion across Newcastle, including dance and art experiences, sports challenges, social and peer networking events and training opportunities.

Gold medal-winning wheelchair tennis player and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott will deliver a message of advocacy and inclusion in employment during the City’s Count Us In festival with the business community invited to join a business lunch led by Alcott.

The program was developed in collaboration with Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) and City of Newcastle’s Access Inclusion Advisory Committee and is being delivered with the assistance of a range of community partners including 13 successful grant recipients, who shared in a $20,000 pool of funding from City of Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said inclusive employment was a key focus for this year's Count Us In festival.

Lord Mayor Nelmes advises “City of Newcastle prides itself on being a liveable and welcoming community for all people, increasing social inclusion and community connections with events like Count Us In festival in line with CN's Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

"This year, we are delighted to welcome Dylan Alcott AO to lead the Hunter business community in an important conversation as we work together towards solutions for greater employment and workplace inclusion for people with lived disability."

Councillor Margaret Wood, co-chair of City of Newcastle’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, said Count Us In recognises and celebrates the contributions made by people living with disabilities.

“Count Us In effectively and respectfully brings the whole community into the discussion about inclusion, this builds awareness, breaks down barries and helps create future opportunities especially when it comes to employment," Cr Wood said.

Councillor Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk said the City is proud to deliver the fourth Count Us In festival with its largest all-inclusive event offering over an expanded three-week program and adds "Count Us In is for everyone, and I’d encourage all Novocastrians to come and join in the many events and activities on offer over the festival's largest event program offering.

“This year, we've extended the program over three weeks to allow for Count Us In festival to cross over with some dates on the New Annual 2023 program, to encourage greater community participation."

Andrew Vodic Executive Director Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) says the organisation is proud to partner with CN as the official community partner for the festival 2023 and shared “Once again, CDAH members are excited to be involved in the Count Us In festival. We are looking forward to the 2023 activities, and as official partners with CN, CDAH members have a great opportunity to showcase some of our peer groups and community initiatives.”

For more information visit City of Newcastle's website.