Help us develop our community inclusion resource

About the project

Children with disability thrive when they are included in their local communities. Recreational groups such as clubs, interest groups, sporting teams and creative arts are a fundamental part of childhood. Offering opportunities to learn new skills, make friendships and experience a sense of belonging in the local community. However, numerous barriers can hinder access to these mainstream activities.

Kindred is developing ‘Include Me’, a digital resource to help families to support their child to participate in community activities. From identifying opportunities, to setting your child up for success, and tackling any barriers along the way. ‘Include me’ will also showcase stories from families whose children have taken part in local activities and groups, and share their tips, strategies and learnings.

Calling for parent contributors

We are seeking 5 parents and carers whose children have taken part in recreational activities, clubs, teams and interest groups to assist with the co-design of ‘Include Me’. By attending our series of online co-design sessions and sharing your lived experience and feedback, you will provide guidance throughout the development of the resource, ensuring that it meets the needs of families.

What’s involved?

The co-design group will meet over four online sessions. These sessions will take place via zoom on:

Thursday evenings 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (NSW Time)
5 October 2023
2 November 2023
7 December 2023
18 January 2024

The expectation is that you are able to attend all four sessions and contribute over the course of the project; however, as busy families, we understand that things come up.

During the sessions, we will be asking for you to share your: 

• Personal experiences in the area of community inclusion for your child, both positive and negative.
• Tips you would offer other parents on how to successfully achieve inclusion for their child.
• Views on what you would like to see in a resource designed to support parents and carers like yourself.
• Feedback on the content of the resource as it is developed.

If you are unable to attend the online sessions but would still like to share your experiences and contribute to the project, please email Andie@Kindred.org.au

Requirements

To be considered for the ‘Include Me’ project co-design group, you must: 

• Be a parent of a child with disability, developmental delay or neurodivergence who has taken part in a recreational activity, sporting club, team or interest group.
• Be willing to actively participate in the group discussion and share your tips, strategies, and constructive feedback on the resource as it progresses over the coming months.
• Have a good internet connection.
• Consent to being recorded (please note recordings are for internal Kindred use).

To ensure representation across a diverse range of needs and community activities, we are asking families to complete an Expression of Interest Form.

How to apply

Please complete the Expression of Interest form by Monday 25 September 2023.  

Successful applicants will be contacted by 27 Wednesday September 2023.

If you are unable to attend the online sessions but would still like to share your experiences and contribute to the project, please email Andie@Kindred.org.au

Remuneration

Each person who actively participates in the co-design series through their attendance, contribution and discussion will be acknowledged by name within the resource and thanked with a gift card.

Thank you again for being a valuable member of our parent community, and for being open to sharing your knowledge and experiences to guide other parents of children with disability. 

The team at Kindred