A series of workshops to break down bias around people living with a disability will be held throughout the South West including Busselton, Capel, Collie, Bridgetown and Bunbury.
Hosted by 30 Foot Drop founder Ben Aldridge, 2 Wise Monkeys are a series of workshops designed to be open, honest and, fun sessions that challenge stereotypes and provide an insight into the lives of people with a disability.
Funded by the Department of Communities WA, Ben and his co-presenter Lisa Hall are currently touring 2 Wise Monkeys across the South West over the next few months.
In Australia, one in five people (around four million) live with a disability and more than half of those people are of working age.
People with a disability are 30 per cent less likely to be employed, and twice as likely to be in the bottom 20 per cent of household incomes.
30 Foot Drop founder and managing director Ben Aldridge said the interactive workshops encouraged participants to feel comfortable to voice their thoughts and feelings without judgement.
Mr Aldridge said the workshops were not a shaming exercise but quite the opposite.
"The workshops are about openly discussing any common misconceptions and, as a group, learning from them," he said.
"Since launching our workshops in September last year, we have seen a variety of audiences from all walks of life.
"But one thing they have in common is they leave with a better understanding of what life can be like for people with limited ability."
City of Busselton councillor Ross Paine participated in a 2 Wise Monkeys Access in Practice workshop in Busselton recently after a chance encounter on Facebook.
Mr Paine said he had a vested interest in community infrastructure, being on council, and as an active cyclist had a personal interest in the availability and conditions of bike and footpaths.
"Before the 2 Wise Monkeys workshop, I thought a lot about accessibility with regards to cycling," he said.
"However, it is obvious that quality infrastructure, like bike paths and footpaths, is a more holistic issue concerning the wider community, particularly those people with an impairment or disability.
"For me, I can just jump off my bike and walk around whatever the issue is in front of me.
"There are a lot of people who can't - elderly people, people with prams, young children and, of course, those with a disability.
"The 2 Wise Monkeys was a unique workshop, not just in terms of delivery and the practical elements, but we the participants set the pace.
"I think a lot about how I can do my job better as a councillor to help the community.
"To do that, I need to understand what it is people from all demographics, backgrounds and abilities require. Ben's 2 Wise Monkeys workshops help that process."
Access and inclusion education workshops
2 Wise Monkeys is a series of Access and Inclusion education workshops that are being run across the South West.
There are a variety of workshops that cater to the needs of the community, and travel to all regional centres.
The workshops have two different options depending on your role in the business or organisation:
Access in Practice and Tapping In.
Frontline staff will be taken through an Access in Practice workshop - a fun and interactive session that will turn access and inclusion theories into practice.
The workshop focuses on training for staff who have direct contact with customers, with a focus on communication, accessibility and empathy.
'Tapping In' has been designed for executive management to discuss why access and inclusion is worth investing in.
Delivered in two formats - an all-day seminar and three two hour evening sessions - workshop will cover a range of topics, including debunking myths about employees with disabilities, as well as how to attract and plan for people with additional needs.
Busselton workshops
May 27, 10am-12pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
May 27, 7pm-9pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
May 28, 7pm-9pm Tapping In: Part 1 - Why Access & Inclusion is Worth Investing In
June 5, 7pm-9pm Tapping In: Part 2 - Myths, Realities & Employing Someone with a Disability
June 11, 7pm-9pm Tapping In: Part 3 - Tourism & Events: How to Attract & Plan for Everyone
Capel workshops
May 8, 10am-12pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
May 8, 7pm-9pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
Bridgetown
May 20, 10am-12pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
May 21, 10am-4pm Tapping In - Why Access & Inclusion is Worth Investing In
Collie
June 5, 10am-12pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
Bunbury
April 8, 10am-4pm Tapping In - Why Access & Inclusion is Worth Investing In
April 9, 10am-12pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
April 9, 7pm-9pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
April 29, 2pm-4pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
April 29, 7pm-9pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
April 30, 7pm-9pm Tapping In: Part 1 - Why Access & Inclusion is Worth Investing In
May 7, 7pm-9pm Tapping In: Part 2 - Myths, Realities & Employing Someone with a Disability
May 14, 7pm-9pm Tapping In: Part 3 - Tourism & Events: How to Attract & Plan for Everyone
June 24, 10am-12pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
June 24, 2pm-4pm Access in Practice - Turning Access & Inclusion Theory into Reality
June 25, 10am-4pm Tapping In - Why Access & Inclusion is Worth Investing In
For more information or reserve your place, visit 30footdrop.com.au/2-wise-monkeys.
