Disability Inclusion in Sheds

Sheds are groups of people, including those living with a disability, that come together to support each other through mateship, work on community projects and to learn new skills. Men’s Sheds are all separate, independent groups that are run by their own members/ volunteers. Sheds endeavour to help their community where they can. Noting, not all Sheds and their volunteers are confident or capable of supporting everyone in their community.

Important Definitions

• Men’s Shed (Shed) – the organisation/group of men that come together.
• Workshop – the Shed’s building/activity areas focused on woodwork and/ or metalwork.
• Members – Men’s Sheds members and/or prospective Shed members.

Inclusion and safe participation practices

Many Sheds operate a community/ social hub, where members can participate in social activities (photography/ arts/ walking/ singing/ playing cards). Most Sheds also operate a Workshop – This is a potentially dangerous environment, requiring additional precautions to ensure the safety of all participants.

Sheds hold the safety of all members and visitors as paramount.  Activities run by Sheds sometimes require adaptation to ensure the building and/ or the Workshop are accessible for people with disabilities, including those with age-related disabilities.  While striving to be inclusive, there are times when Sheds needs to consider or limit who can access the building, the Workshop and/or who can engage in specific activities. Not all areas and activities are safe/ appropriate for everyone.

Considerations for prospective members

• Shed membership doesn’t automatically qualify for use of the Workshop and the equipment; a safety assessment and induction is required for participants.
• a Shed may attempt to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate people with different needs, but this is not always possible. Sheds are community organisations and rely on grants/ donations; they may not be able to afford some changes.
• If a Shed can’t accommodate your needs, there may be others close by that can. Find A Shed.

Participating with a disability

3 scenarios that may apply:

1) Member with a disability attends on their own.

Many Shed members are living with a disability and are active participants in their Shed/ Workshop.

• Sheds take on the responsibility for the member and their safety,
• Members undergo a safety assessment/ induction. The induction will review skill levels, expectations and proposed projects and may include an observation on specific equipment.

2) Member with a disability attends with a Carer (an unpaid family member/ friend)

Where a volunteer carer is needed to support the member whilst at the Shed/ in the Workshop.

• Both the member and the Carer must undertake the Shed inductions (including equipment inductions)
• The Carer is likely to be required to join as a member for insurance purposes
• The Carer must be present with the person at all times.
• Sheds may request a male Carer (or female if a Women’s Shed).
• The Carer is responsible for the safety of the member, their equipment use and their personal care.
• Annual (or regular) review may be required to ensure there is no change in requirements or impact to safety

3) Member with a disability attends with a Support Worker (Someone who is paid to accompany another person. Eg via NDIS Provider)

It is beneficial if the case manager/coordinator can attend with a prospective member and the Support Worker on their initial Shed visit/tour.

• The Support Worker must stay with their client at all times.
• Sheds may request a male Support Worker (or female if a Women’s Shed).
• Satisfactory insurance documents will need to be shown to the Shed.
• Both member and Support Worker must go through a safety assessment (including equipment inductions)
• The Shed may require the same inducted Support Worker to attend. (Additional Support Worker’s will also be required to go through a safety assessment before accessing the machines)
• The Support Worker is responsible for the safety of the member, their equipment use and their personal care.
• Each Shed will determine membership arrangement/ fee structures for Support Workers (if required)
• A Support Worker registration form may be required by the Shed.