The Essendon Football Club proudly celebrated International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on Tuesday afternoon with an all-of-club event.
Embracing this year’s theme, Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future, the club marked the day with a dynamic event at the NEC Hangar, featuring interactive activities designed to educate, inspire, and promote inclusion.
The event brought together approximately 170 participants, including staff, AFL Men’s players and members of our Wheelchair Football team, showcasing our commitment to breaking down barriers and amplifying the voice of people with disability within our community.
A Day of Learning, Engagement, and Celebration
The day featured a range of hands-on activities to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the experiences of people with disabilities.
Panel Discussion:
Led by EFC Wheelchair Head Coach Chris Henderson, a group of athletes joined for an in-depth discussion.
Panel members included Wheelchair Captain James Leonard, who identifies living with cerebral palsy and hard of hearing, multi-sport Australian Paralympian Jessica Gallagher, who identifies living with low vision, and Bombers forward Kyle Langford, a WhatAbility ambassador and disability inclusion advocate within the club.
AFL Blind Session (Blindness and Low Vision):
Participants were guided through the unique rules and adaptations of AFL Blind, and wearing vision simulations glasses to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and skills required to play football with blindness or low vision.
Introduction to Auslan (Deaf and Hard of Hearing):
This session offered an engaging introduction to Australian Sign Language (Auslan), empowering attendees to communicate in new ways and better connect with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Diversity Walk & Talk (Understanding Disability):
A guided walk explored the lived experiences of people with disabilities, focusing on breaking down stereotypes and encouraging open conversations about inclusion and accessibility.
AFL Wheelchair Session (Physical Disability):
Staff and players teamed up with members of our Wheelchair Football team to participate in a high-energy game.
Sensory Zone (Insight into Neurodiversity):
This interactive area offered participants a chance to explore sensory experiences and better understand the perspectives of individuals with neurodiverse conditions, such as autism or ADHD.
Football Clinic with WhatAbility and Wandarra:
Members from WhatAbility and Wandarra joined EFC staff and players in a fun football clinic, highlighting the power of football to bring people together.
“This event shows how much we can achieve when we focus on inclusion,” Wheelchair Captain James Leonard said.
“Each activity helped highlight the leadership and contributions of people with disabilities, both on and off the field.”
Sentiment was similar among the Bombers’ AFL players, who were offered a unique lens into the life of people with disabilities.
“Participating in these activities opened my eyes to different perspectives,” Kyle Langford said.
“It was a powerful reminder of the importance of creating an inclusive environment for everyone, and the role we can play as players in amplifying people with disability within the community.”
If you live with disability and are interested in playing football, you can find all the different options available to you here.
The club also has their Wheelchair Football program - if you use a wheelchair to play sport, please reach out to community@essendonfc.com.au for more information.
Essendon thanks everyone who contributed to the day, including Paralympics Australia, WhatAbility and Wandarra for their involvement and support towards the event.
