Disability Services Bankstown
When it comes to disability services Bankstown has been serviced by Disability Macarthur operating within the City of Bankstown. Our programs focus on the needs of the families living with disability …
Bankstown is a south-western suburb of Sydney. It was originally home to the Bediagal people. The Turpentine ironbark forest covered much of the area prior to European colonisation. By around 1816, disease and armed conflict with early settlers had seriously reduced the indigenous population. Governor Hunter called the region Bank’s Town after a favourable report by Matthew Flinders and George Bass. He named the area after Sir Joseph Banks, who had journeyed to Australia with Captain James Cook in 1770. In 1895 Bankstown was named a municipal district. In 1980 Bankstown achieved city status. The region is home to an aviation industry situated around Bankstown Airport.
The area is culturally diverse and claims to be the most ethnically diverse community in Australia. Multiculturalism flourishes in Bankstown; and more than 60 languages are spoken in the suburb. It features a large population of over 30 000 people; and the median age is 31 years. The area has suffered from high unemployment for a number of years. The high levels of new migrants and refugees into the suburb has placed pressure on the infrastructure to cope with their diverse issues such as disabilities and isolation as well as a higher percentage of people living below the poverty line than the Sydney metropolitan median. Bankstown disability services are one of those issues; and the Canterbury-Bankstown Council is currently reaching out to those with a disability to make their voice heard.
Their Disability Inclusion Action Plan is designed to consult with the disabled community and their carers, before initiating action to improve services and accessibility for the disabled in the area. Disability Macarthur operate within the City of Bankstown and support an inclusive community. Our programs focus on the needs of the families living with disability. Support programs for carers, allow these people to experience some much needed reconnection with their communities. Isolation is a common problem for these people, as they, most often, bear the responsibility of caring for their disabled family members alone.
Disability Macarthur provide after school and vacation programs, with our Peer Support Junior days for kids aged 5-17 with a physical and/or intellectual disability. After School Support Care is available for children aged 5-18 years with a disability. There are multiple daily and weekly options for centre based respite and overnight respite. Disability Macarthur, also offer support groups, which provide counselling and workshops. We can help disabled children and their families, adults with disability and their carers. The Macarthur Difference is about making people feel welcome within their communities and returning some, much needed, fun and enjoyment to their lives.