International Day Of People With Disability, 3rd December, 2021

Held on 3rd December each year, the International Day of People with Disability aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people living with disability. This year's theme 'Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world' is a timely, relevant spotlight on ways to shape an improved future for people living with disability.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been key in exacerbating pre-existing inequalities across all aspects of society but in particular has deepened inequalities for people living with disability with factors including increased risk of poor outcome from COVID-19, reduced access to routine health care and rehabilitation and adverse social impacts due to isolation affecting this section of the community disproportionately.

Many of the clients living with disability on the Careseekers platform have had access to community services and programs reduced, regular social supports have been conducted over Zoom or Facetime and many have reported feelings of isolation, fear and anxiety.

At Careseekers we have looked to adapt to these challenging circumstances with a determination to see that anybody living with disability is able to access the services they need. We have been fortunate in that our community of care and support workers have risen to the challenge and have worked tirelessly to provide services to their clients in innovative and positive ways and have come out in force to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to keep their clients as safe as possible.

One of our wonderful disability support clients Eddie and his amazing support worker Isaac are demonstrating this year's International Day of People with Disability's themes of leadership and participation by working together to reach Eddie's goals through their sessions. Eddie is a keen musician looking to produce his own music and was matched perfectly with Isaac, a musician and band member, who has been able to work with Eddie to achieve this. Eddie's participation in and control of his support services is something we value highly at Careseekers and is what underpins our work each day. After all, Careseekers is the platform built for you.

To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer

To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers

To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers