A City for Everyone: Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 - Health and wellbeing

Research suggests 45% of Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime¹. Inclusive leisure activities and healthy lifestyles promote positive mental and physical wellbeing. Physical inactivity is the fifth leading cause of preventable death in Australia². Those with disability are less inclined to participate in sport, recreation or cultural activities² due to the lack of inclusiveness, which is why it is important that these activities are accessible and respect difference. Providing exercise programs that are also inclusive of diversity will yield positive benefits for the broader community.

Established festivals such as the Brisbane Festival use Council’s event accessibility guidelines to maximise inclusion. Council will update the checklist so event planners can better consider the needs of people from diverse backgrounds, abilities, genders and ages.

Tailoring activities for people with perceptual and learning difficulties is also a growing focus, with solutions like the chill-out rooms at concerts providing new avenues for inclusive attendance.

As Council continues to provide and fund specialised initiatives such as seniors entertainment, English conversation groups and wheelchair sports, programs will continue to be inclusive of individual group needs. This could include providing translators for active and healthy activities, or expanding the accessibility to and during Council events.

"Our clients can feel very isolated but are very interested in regaining health and relationships through collaborative, community-based programs and activities in local areas."

- Julia, Chermside

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Mental health services in Australia, AIHW,Canberra, 2017, viewed 27 July 2019, https://www.aihw.gov.au

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, General SocialSurvey, Cat. No. 4159.0, ABS, Canberra, 2015.