Lismore’s Quad was an explosion of colour, dance and music yesterday when the local community celebrated International Day of People with Disability.

Hundreds of people of differing abilities, their carers, families and support agencies came together to celebrate, eat, dance and sing – and throw coloured powder at each other in a colour fun run.

Angela Mathews and Ben Payne.

The local day’s organiser Angela Mathews, from Just Like Home support services said it was the third year that the event had been held in the Quad.

“When you live it, it’s nice to celebrate it,” Angela said. 

“It’s a great way for people to get together, be happy, social and meet up with their friends – being in care can be isolating sometimes.”

Angela said while the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 14% of our local population is made up of people with special needs and different abilities, the reality is much higher.

“There’s about one in three people here who have special needs,” she said. “It’s just more hidden.

“There’s no difference between us really. It’s not us and them – we are all part of an inclusive community.

“Being inclusive is about not focusing on the differences.”

Elise Nurka and her support worker Jo Puglis.

Angela said part of the work of the Just Like Home was creating experiences for the young people involved with the organisation.

“We create a sleepover experience where they get to hang out with other people with a disability,” she said.

“We’ve also just launched a new travel experience and recently, I took Ben Payne and some of his friends to Tasmania to experience what it’s like to go on the road and visit other places.

“Ben chose Tasmania and we went to many different places and he gained a lot of life skills in the process.”

Ben said he’s also looking forward to the upcoming monthly games night they are creating.

Renee, Christine and Hayley from Archive Australia with Tracey, Diana and Tom.

“Lismore City Council brought along the hippocamp today,” Angela said.

“It’s a wheelchair that lets people access forest or the beach where they can go into the surf for a swim."

Tash, Jason and Santos from Multitask enjoyed watching the bellydancers Talia and Belladonna - dancers from the Veil of Tears.

Tash and Jason sang with the Multitask choir on the day and Tash also bellydances.

“It’s good fun,” Tash said.

Tash, Jason and Santos from Multitask.

Joanne Schutte and Laila Reagan.