International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions to community.
International Day of People with Disability will be recognised internationally tomorrow, but the celebrations kicked off early at Nazareth with a special event held at Flinders Park yesterday. The event honoured the Learning Diversity Program, which offers support and assistance for individuals at Nazareth. Current students and graduates gathered at lunchtime for a disco dance party and to recognise the amazing achievements of each other this year.
DPwD aims to shift the focus from negative aspects of disability, to celebrating those people who are doing amazing and inspiring things despite their disabilities. Did you know that some of history’s most famous high achievers also lived with disability?
We are proud to share the success of Nazareth scholars and graduates with disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy to autism, who’ve achieved astonishing things this year in the fields of sport, academics and more.
These are just a few of the many heart-warming and inspirational stories of our students and graduates.
Do you have news to share with us? We would love to share your story too. Please contact us via Facebook or email news@nazareth.org.au.
Image Credit, Chloe Murnane: ABC Australia
Sasha Lapcevic (2014) after completing a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Adelaide this year, is now a Program and Project Management Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers’s Skilled Services Hub.
Amelia Azzollini (2018), completed a Certificate III in Business through Carey Training, a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking and a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management through Kaplan Professional. She is now a Para Broker/Finance Mortgage Broker.
At Nazareth we promise that students will find their chosen pathway, and graduate knowing they have the power to influence positive change and make the world a better place. But we also walk the talk when it comes to fostering faith and integrating learning opportunities within our community.
Illustrating this culture is Year 12 student Louis Martin, who seeks to share the joy of reading and improve literacy outcomes for kids (and adults) through his community library initiative.
Inspired by street libraries in his local neighbourhood, Louis, an enthusiastic reader from a young age and now budding boilermaker, used a recent project as an opportunity to exercise his technical skills for the purpose of promoting sustainability and affording the community greater access to books.
Cultural connections between young Nazareth students and their Aboriginal heritage have brought a native garden to life at our Findon Campus.
Pavers illustrating rich Aboriginal cultures have been installed, and now form an interactive walking trail through the campus’s cherished Kaurna Garden.
Meg Meers (2018) is currently working at Fairmont Homes as a Technical Services Officer, since completing a Bachelor of Business (Design & Marketing) degree at the University of South Australia. In Meg’s role, she is responsible for the technical management of clients and the progression of their new house build through the pre-construction journey.
Last Wednesday a group of Year 11 Industry Connections students attended a Design and Technology incursion to complete their White Card training with the Construction Industry Board. The White Card training is a nationally recognised training course that is a requirement to work in the construction industry and enter a construction site. It has provided students with information regarding construction work, work health and safety laws, common site hazards, and how to control the associated risks.
Nazareth Year 12 Fitness, Nutrition and Lifestyles students partnered with Our Lady of La Vang Special School to plan and organise a safe, supportive and joyous inaugural Sports Day for their students with an intellectual disability.
Kristina Shepherd, 2013 graduate, after taking a couple of years to figure out the career path she wanted to pursue she decided to complete a Bachelor of Architectural Design at the University of Adelaide. Kristina is now working as a Project Manager/Graduate of Architecture at Thorne Constructions.