Janine Romaszko, with her daughter Elise, who launched the Synod’s 2023-26 Disability Action Plan on Saturday.
A residential development in Tasmania for people with disabilities was the perfect venue to launch the Synod’s 2023-26 Disability Action Plan last Saturday.
The Presbytery of Tasmania hosted the launch, held at Rowallan Park.
Supported accommodation is provided for people with disabilities on-site at Rowallan Park, which has a strong connection to the Kingston Uniting Church congregation.
Synod Disability Inclusion Advocate Rev Dr Andy Calder said the plan, produced in plain language and easy English versions, was written to be as accessible as possible to all people.
“Endorsed at the 2022 Synod meeting, the plan provides information and suggested actions for all sectors of our Synod: congregations, presbyteries, reporting bodies and schools in association,” Andy said.
“The content includes a theological rationale, suggested steps and processes for responding, and a matrix of actions for the various sectors of the church to address.”
Andy said the plan was vitally important in fostering just and mutually enriching communities throughout Victoria and Tasmania.
The three principles the plan is based on, from feedback provided by people with disability, are:
- To get into a building and all internal spaces
- To feel welcome, in all senses of the word; and
- To have a say in what their contribution will be.
Kingston Minister Rev Michael Duke spoke at the launch of the warm relationships and friendships enjoyed at Rowallan Park.
Janine Romaszko, one of the instigators of the Rowallan Park complex, shared some of the history and background that created the dwellings and community at Kingston Uniting, while her daughter, Elise, one of the residents, shared a video of her life at Kingston, showing the benefits it provides of enhanced independence and quality of life.
To conclude the event, Elise fittingly said: “I am happy to launch this plan.”
The Synod’s 2023-26 Disability Action Plan can be found here and action plan summary here
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