Minda recently had the privilege of hosting international representatives from South Asia as part of a professional development opportunity in South Australia, organised by Australia Awards.
The 10-day trip saw representatives participate in various disability-related learning opportunities. All participants work in policy and advocacy within the disability sector in their home countries.
During their visit, the group expanded their knowledge on how different organisations across the state deliver positive outcomes for people living with disability through inclusive practices.
Included in their jam-packed itinerary were site visits, presentations from government agencies and non-government organisations, and meetings with people living with disability.
A key highlight of the group’s trip was visiting several locations throughout the City of Holdfast Bay, which included a tour Minda’s Brighton neighbourhood.
While touring the Brighton neighbourhood, representatives had lunch at INC Café, before touring the Kumangka Community Garden.
Guided by Volunteer Specialist Louise Fletcher, the group learnt the name of the community garden comes from the Kaurna word meaning “together”. The garden itself provides an inclusive, accessible environment where everyone can work together and learn from one another.
Touring the neighbourhood also provided a great opportunity for the group to learn about Minda’s strategic direction and how it is a respected leader when it comes to inclusivity.
Outside of the tour of Minda, representatives observed accessible facilities and equipment across the City of Holdfast Bay, while also meeting with the Tri-Council (Mitcham, Marion, Holdfast Bay) Disability Advocacy Network.
At the end of their educational experience, the group returned to their respective home countries, enriched with new knowledge and perspectives to inform their advocacy efforts.
One representative from Bhutan said the trip was “eye-opening” due to living in a country where acceptance of disability and the importance of inclusion is “relatively low”.
The visit inspired the representatives to consider how they can apply these insights to improve the lives of people living with disability in their own countries.
International representatives from South Asia included:
- Kinley Wangchuk, Executive Director, Disabled People’s Organisation in Bhutan (DPOB)
- Kunzang Namgyal Tshering, Executive Director, Ability Bhutan Society (ABS)
- Suganthi Shaiju, Senior Programme Officer, CBM India Trust (Inclusive Eye Health)
- Satyapal Singh, Chief Coach of Indian Para-Athletics, Paralympic Committee of India
- Amar Jain, Corporate Lawyer and Accessibility Professional, Legal, Accessibility and Disability Rights (India)
- Fathmath Ibrahim, Disability Representative, Maldives Disability Council
- Ashfa Hamdi, Senior Social Protection Officer, Disability Rights and Wellbeing Section, Ministry of Social and Family Development (Maldives)
- Neera Adhikari, Undersecretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen (Nepal)
- Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti, Vice-President of Dalit with Disability Association Nepal
- Supun Rashinda Jayawardena, Head of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, Sri Lanka National Federation of the Visually Handicapped
- Nishantha Geeth Kumara Thissawa Pathirannehelage, Director Program, Navajeevana Rehabilitation Tangalle (Sri Lanka)