What's on:

Get involved with Playgroup NSW

Download our Playgroup NSW Inclusion posters. These are designed to promote diversity and inclusion within playgroups and aims to create a welcoming environment for all families, including those with disabilities, culturally diverse backgrounds and other unique needs

Check it out here:
Poster 1
Poster 2
Poster 3
Poster 4

If you're after a program suited for people with disability, check out the below:

Play & Learn Supported Inclusive Playgroups (PALS) 

The PALS program creates welcoming spaces for children with disabilities and additional needs to play alongside their peers. It enhances social and play skills, providing opportunities for children to connect with others in their community. Activities range from dance and gymnastics to yoga and art, all facilitated by trained professionals. 

Play Connect+

PlayConnect+ playgroups are designed for children aged 0-8 years with disabilities or developmental concerns, and their families. These playgroups do not require a formal diagnosis for participation. They offer face-to-face and online sessions, including music groups, holiday sessions, and school readiness programs. PlayConnect+ aims to create supportive communities where children can engage in play and families can find holistic support.

MyTime

MyTime is a support program for parents and carers of children with disabilities or chronic conditions. It provides a space for parents to socialise, share ideas, and access community support. MyTime groups are parent-led, with facilitators to coordinate activities and discussions. While parents connect, a play helper engages children in activities. This program helps parents build a strong support network and find resources to aid in their caregiving roles. 

Playgroup NSW’s commitment to inclusivity ensures that every child has the chance to learn, play, and grow in a supportive community.

To find your local playgroup click here.

International Day of People with Disability Resources

Not sure how to celebrate International Day of People with Disability in your community? We're here to help!

Below you will find a range of engaging and accessible resources designed for early childhood educators, facilitators, community volunteers, parents and carers. These resources aim to spread awareness, promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity. Check it out below!

Videos

• Raising Children Network - Disability Videos: This series offers informative videos to support parents raising children with disabilities. It covers topics like early intervention, family support, and navigating services, helping families foster inclusion and understanding in their children's environments.
• Celebrating Disability as a Part of Human Diversity: This video celebrates disability as a fundamental part of human diversity. It highlights how embracing and including people with disabilities enriches communities, promoting an understanding that everyone, regardless of ability, contributes to society's diversity and strength.
  
  
• Lea Goes to School: This video depicts a child with a disability navigating the school environment. It focuses on inclusion, showing how children with disabilities, with the right support, can fully participate in school life alongside their peers. 
• Kindred: The Good Life: This video highlights the experiences of people with disabilities, showcasing their diverse lives and contributions to society. "Kindred" focus on the connections and shared experiences that people with disabilities have, celebrating their strength and resilience. 
  
  
• Assume That I Can: This video challenges common misconceptions about people with disabilities. It advocates for assuming capability rather than limitation, promoting the idea that people with disabilities should be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and be seen as equals.
• Running Underwater:  Eliza Hull’s moving video captures resilience and strength in the face of disability. Through powerful visuals and heartfelt lyrics, Hull shares the unique challenges and triumphs of her journey
  
  
• Dylan Alcott AO, 2022 Australian of the Year - IDPwD 2022: Featuring Dylan Alcott, a renowned Australian advocate for people with disabilities and the 2022 Australian of the Year. He shares his journey, achievements, and the importance of advocacy and representation for people with disabilities, inspiring others to embrace their potential. 

Story Books

• Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull & Sally Rippin: This inclusive rhyming tale explores the home lives of various families who are deaf or disabled.
• ABC Disability by Sarah Rose: A story that celebrates diversity with bold and bright illustrations. 
• Included by Jayneen Sanders: This introduces six kids with their own unique abilities. Through games, books, and silliness, these children share the universal desire to feel safe, loved, and included. 
• A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond: This story offers a glimpse into the life of an Autism family where communication happens without spoken words. Written by an autistic mother of two autistic sons. 
• Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus: A young bear shares his early experiences with deafness. Others keep asking him something that sounds like “Can bears ski?” When his family learns more about how to best communicate with him, he’s joyfully able to understand (and answer) the question “Can you hear me?” 
• I Am a Masterpiece! by Mia Armstrong: Tween actress Mia Armstrong celebrates her fun, funny, beautiful childhood living with Down syndrome in this debut picture book. 
• More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz MacLean: Nathan doesn’t say many words, but he notices a lot about the people around him and how they share their ideas and feelings. Whether it’s through talking, making sounds, moving, writing, using braille, sign language, or AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools, everyone has something valuable to say. This is an ideal elementary classroom read-aloud about the many ways people can express themselves. 
• Included by Jayneen Sanders and Camila Carrossine: This story aims to help everyone understand that children with disability are just like children everywhere. They love playing games, books, making stuff, and being silly – and just like children everywhere, they want to feel safe, loved, and included.
• Two Mates by Melanie Prewett: This is a true story of special mateship between two boys who have grown up together in Broome in Australia’s north-west. Jack is Indigenous and Raf is a non-Indigenous boy who has Spina bifida. The boys share their daily life as they search for hermit crabs, go hunting for barni, fish for salmon, explore the markets, eat satays and dress up as superheros. The fact that Raf is in a wheelchair is only revealed at the end of the story. Includes information about Spina bifida.

Disability Directories

• International Day of People with Disability: Find out more about IDPWD and how you can celebrate.   
• Welcome to the Disability Gateway | Disability Gateway: A national service offering information and support for people with disabilities, their families, and carers across Australia.  
• Services and Support for People with Disability | NSW Government: Provides information on disability services, support, and funding options for residents of New South Wales.
• Infoqore: A platform offering guides and resources on disability rights, services, and essential support for people with disabilities.
• The Disability Support Guide: An online directory helping people with disabilities and carers find NDIS providers and support services in Australia.
• Disability Advocacy Finder | Ask Izzy: A tool to find disability advocacy services that support individuals in ensuring their rights and access to services.

Podcasts

• Boldly Me – Hosted by Chloé Hayden (Disability Rights Advocate): 
  This podcast features episodes that promote self-love and the importance of disability education.
• ListenABLE – Hosted by Angus O'Loughlin and Dylan Alcott: 
  This podcast focuses on candid discussions about disability, featuring personal stories and insights from hosts and guests. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of the diverse experiences within the disability community.
• Disability Done Different: Candid Conversations – Hosted by Roland and Evie Naufa: 
  This podcast encourages open and honest conversations about disability, exploring various perspectives and experiences. Roland and Evie share insights to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
• We’ve Got This: Parenting with a Disability by Eliza Hull: 
  This podcast delves into the experiences of parents with disabilities, discussing the unique challenges they face and the strategies they employ to thrive as parents.
• The Future is Inclusive: 
  This series explores the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families, aiming to foster conversations about allyship and understanding in society.
• Yarning Disability (First Peoples Disability Network): 
  This podcast centers on storytelling from First Nations people, sharing experiences of individuals with disabilities, their families, and professionals in the disability sector. It highlights cultural perspectives and the importance of community.
• Autism - Aspect: A Different Brilliant Aspect: 
  Produced by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), this podcast focuses on the autism community, featuring discussions that showcase the diverse experiences and perspectives of autistic individuals.
• Disability Parenting: Disability Parenting Podcast Series: 
  This podcast series explores the realities of parenting children with disabilities, sharing insights, stories, and advice to support other parents in similar situations.
• NDIS Know How: 
  This podcast series provides valuable information and insights about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, helping listeners navigate the complexities of disability support services.
• Square Peg Round Hole: 
  This podcast challenges conventional narratives about disability and advocates for a more inclusive and understanding society, often featuring discussions about identity and societal perceptions.

Disability Language

• Language Guide - People with Disability Australia (pwd.org.au): This resource offers guidance on appropriate language and terminology when discussing disability, promoting respectful and inclusive communication.
• A to Z Guide on Disability Etiquette: An alphabetical guide that outlines best practices for interacting with people with disabilities, focusing on respectful behavior and awareness.
• Disability A-Z: This likely serves as a comprehensive reference for various disabilities, detailing characteristics, challenges, and tips for support.
• Disability Language Guide: Similar to the Language Guide, this document emphasizes the importance of language choices in discussions about disability, aiming to reduce stigma and promote understanding.
• Engagement and Consultation with People with an Intellectual Disability: This guide provides strategies for effectively engaging with individuals who have intellectual disabilities, emphasizing the importance of their voices in conversations about their needs and rights.
• Guide Dog Etiquette and Interaction Tips: This resource offers guidelines on how to interact with guide dogs and their handlers, including when it's appropriate to approach and how to respect the working nature of the dogs.
• Guide to Disabilities in Children | Raising Children Network: This resource provides information about different disabilities in children, including developmental milestones, support strategies, and parenting tips.
• Early Childhood Parent Guide | AllPlay Learn: This guide focuses on supporting children with disabilities in early childhood settings, offering advice for parents on fostering inclusive play and learning environments.

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National): Provides interpreting services for people with disabilities from CALD backgrounds, helping them navigate services effectively.
• NDIS Multilingual Resources: The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides resources in multiple languages, covering topics such as how to access services, eligibility, and rights.
• The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) is an organization that advocates for the rights and needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. It focuses on promoting social inclusion, equal opportunity, and access to services, including those for people with disabilities. 
• National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is a national Disabled People’s Organisation that advocates federally for the human rights of people with disability, and their families, from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

First Nation

• Yarning Disability (First Peoples Disability Network) focused upon stories of individuals, their families, carers and disability industry professionals.
• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet - Disability Section: This platform offers information and resources on disabilities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including research, policies, and best practices in disability care.
• The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, providing leadership and advocacy for community-led health initiatives.