The program is currently paused due to the Coronavirus. In-person workshops are currently unavailable. You can still complete the training online on the training page.
The
Are You Inclusive
program
The Are You Inclusive program was created by DARE Disability Support, with funding from an NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program (2018-2020). DARE engaged Dr Annie Brennan to co-ordinate the project.
This free program helps businesses and services meet the needs of customers with invisible disabilities such as intellectual disability or autism.
Are You Inclusive Program Facts
National Statistics
One in three customers with a disability stopped a transaction because they were not treated fairly or respectfully.
One in three people with disability report that their customer needs are often unmet.
Local Findings
We interviewed customers with invisible disability and their support people. We found that 86% of them are wary of businesses that they have not used before. However they said that they would be keen to try if they have received training.
The customers we interviewed explained that the biggest challenge they experience is with communication, particularly being avoided or ignored.
We also interviewed business staff and 78% wanted to be inclusive but they were not sure how to respectfully offer help to someone with a disability.
Research and Project Development
Dr Annie Brennan created the training package based on information gathered from local people with disability, their family and support workers, as well as local businesses. Read the reports below to find out more about how the program was created and what impact it has had.
Dr Annie Brennan
BSc (Hons), Grad Cert (Clin Redesign), PhD
The NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program provided funding to DARE Disability Support who engaged Dr Annie Brennan to coordinate the Are You Inclusive project.
Dr Brennan grew up in the Blue Mountains. She has an Honours Degree in Psychology and a PhD in Medicine, both from the University of Sydney. Annie also has a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Redesign from NSW Health and the University of Tasmania. This is a project management course specially tailored to translational research implementation and change management in health. Annie has over 9 years’ experience as a researcher and project manager in health and medicine at universities and major hospitals.
Annie has loved working on such an exciting project in her local community to achieve positive outcomes for people with disability, their family and support workers, local businesses and the community as a whole.
Research and Evaluation
As part of the project, Annie researched the experiences of people with invisible disabilities such as intellectual disability and autism, their family, support workers, and local businesses.
Interim Evaluation Report - Springwood Trial
Annie completed an evaluation of the trial launch of the Are You Inclusive program that happened in Springwood in mid-2019. Read the report here to find out how the trial went.
Easy Read version coming soon!
About Us
DARE Disability Support
DARE Disability Support is a specialist provider of services to people with disability in the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions, and has serviced our community for over 50 years.
DARE is the organisation behind the Are You Inclusive project.
Watch the video to find out more about the services at DARE, or visit DARE’s website.
NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Grant
The Are You Inclusive project is funded for 2018-2020 by an Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Information, Linkages and Capacity Building grant is provided to organisations to carry out activities in the community.
Find out more about Information, Linkages and Capacity Building grants on the NDIS ILC Grant website.
Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise
Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise (BMEE) is the peak regional economic development agency in the Blue Mountains, Australia. It aims to stimulate economic development in the Blue Mountains through advocacy, investment and industry development. DARE Disability Support has partnered with the Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise to provide the Are You Inclusive initiative. Find out more about this group on the Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise Website.
Blue Mountains City Council
The Are You Inclusive project is supported by the Blue Mountains City Council. The council is responsible for approximately 1400 square kilometers, 26 townships and villages and has a population of approximately 78,000. The Blue Mountains City Council is committed to working in close partnership with the community. It is committed to preserve and enhance a City where quality and diversity of life are in harmony with the unique natural and built environment of the Blue Mountains. The City within a National Park.
Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website to find out more.
