- When the personal becomes professional: Hastie’s mission to make learning inclusiveby Danielle KutchelReturning to study as a mature age student was not originally on the cards for Michelle Hastie – but sometimes things are just meant to be. In Hastie’s case, having taught secondary students for 12 years, it was the subject matter that swayed her. “I had wanted to study… inclusive ed for probably almost ten… Read more: When the personal becomes professional: Hastie’s mission to make learning inclusive
- A vision to dismantle marketing for better inclusionby Danielle KutchelThe face of brands is changing thanks to the work of certified social enterprise Disinfluencer. Disinfluencer is an Australian first: a content and branding hub that helps businesses be more inclusive and promote their own inclusivity with sensitivity and pride. It was founded by Simone Eyles, who has a background in marketing and design. Inspired… Read more: A vision to dismantle marketing for better inclusion
- Advocates back action for health of people with intellectual disability by Danielle KutchelA coalition of Queensland-based disability advocates has called for action on the health inequalities faced by people with intellectual disability, ahead of the state’s election this weekend. The joint statement was released by Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), Queensland Centre of Excellence in Autism and Intellectual Disability Health (QCEAIDH), Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID)… Read more: Advocates back action for health of people with intellectual disability
- Awakening the senses to accessible science by Danielle KutchelDr Erica Tandori is on a journey to make science accessible for everyone. As an academic at Monash University, she helped to create the first exhibition on infection and immunity for people with blindness or low vision, including large tactile posters with braille labels and large text, 3D models of immune cells, viruses, and proteins,… Read more: Awakening the senses to accessible science
- A role to PLAY by bcooperOlivia Brown spoke at the inaugural World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane, presenting to around 1000 people from over 45 countries. The 19-year-old who lives with Down syndrome, co-facilitates a weekly volunteer playgroup with NFP Play Matters Australia and is a youth mentor at Lemonade Kids playgroup in Brisbane. Olivia recently spoke to the… Read more: A role to PLAY
- Disability Employment Program open for tenderby bcooperA new Specialist Disability Employment Program, that replaced the current DES program is now open for tender. The new program, effective from July 1, 2025, is intended to improve employment and career outcomes for people with disability through individualised and effective specialist disability employment services. It will concentrate on providing tailored supports to assist people… Read more: Disability Employment Program open for tender
- Get a ‘rush’ like no other by bcooperAt the historic Brisbane Powerhouse, 17 metres or four stories above the Brisbane River diners are seated at tables for two strapped to the outside of the building. Guests are escorted to the roof, lowered into their seats with a safety harness to an elegant dining setting, tethered to the table. And the best part?… Read more: Get a ‘rush’ like no other
- Next generation of guide dogs graduateby Danielle KutchelA brand new cohort of Seeing Eye Dogs has graduated school and is ready to take up the life-changing mantle. On Wednesday 18 September, 42 Seeing Eye Dogs and their handlers from across Australia attended Vision Australia’s annual graduation ceremony. They have been put through rigorous training to ensure they are prepared for life as… Read more: Next generation of guide dogs graduate
- Funding support for Queensland women with autismby bcooperThe Federal Government is setting up a program for up to 200 autistic women in the South Brisbane, Central Queensland and Toowoomba regions, intended to build links in their community with a series of support groups. The Connections for Women project will be delivered face to face and online, facilitated by an autistic woman and… Read more: Funding support for Queensland women with autism
- Creative partnership fuels JAM’s future by Danielle KutchelAdaptive fashion brand JAM The Label is partnering with A Fitting Connection to give people with disabilities new opportunities in fashion creation. Through a new partnership – supported by funding through the Penfolds Evermore Grant Program – people with disabilities will be offered the opportunity to create or contribute to the creation of new products… Read more: Creative partnership fuels JAM’s future
- “Working with the community”: Link speaks to the SA Assistant Minister for Autism by Danielle KutchelIn the second half of a two-part story, Link speaks with the South Australian Assistant Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke, about what the state government is doing for people with autism. South Australian Assistant Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke, has hit the ground running. Her portfolio is responsible for delivering change for South Australians with… Read more: “Working with the community”: Link speaks to the SA Assistant Minister for Autism
- Art galleries, accessibility and artificial intelligence. by bcooperAI has huge potential. We work with it, to enhance creativity and access to the creative arts. One example is the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The museum has worked with software to bring the creative arts to art lovers who are blind or with low vison, and by doing so, have made the artwork accessible to… Read more: Art galleries, accessibility and artificial intelligence.
- Driving change: Link speaks to the SA Assistant Minister for Autism by Danielle KutchelIn the first of a two-part story, Link speaks with the South Australian Assistant Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke, about what the state government there is doing for people with autism. It’s been a “positive start to change” for people with autism in South Australia, according to Emily Bourke, the assistant minister in charge of… Read more: Driving change: Link speaks to the SA Assistant Minister for Autism
- Ability Fest heading to Brisbaneby bcooperThe accessible and inclusive Ability Fest music festival is back in Melbourne and making its debut in Brisbane, both in October. For the first time, Ability Fest will open to attendees aged 16 and over across both locations. “Ability Fest has been an incredible journey, and I’m thrilled to see its success growing year by… Read more: Ability Fest heading to Brisbane
- Adaptive clothing on the fashion catwalkby bcooperModels sashayed down a makeshift catwalk, broad smiles on their faces. Some used wheelchairs, while others had prosthetic limbs, but every one of them looked confident, stylish and comfortable. But this was no ordinary catwalk this was the accessible fashion show at the Brisbane Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia (ATSA) Expo. It showcased the talents and… Read more: Adaptive clothing on the fashion catwalk
- Paralympics fever as Games set to beginby Danielle KutchelIt’s that time again – the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games start this week! Beginning on 28 August and running until 8 September, the Paris Paralympics will bring together over 4400 athletes from 184 countries. They’ll compete in 22 para-sports over the 11 days of the competition, to an expected audience of four billion people around… Read more: Paralympics fever as Games set to begin
- Harvey Norman – Going the distance for Paralympiansby bcooperHarvey Norman has been supporting sport in Australia for over 30 years and this sporting tailwind from Australia’s biggest retailer has been a work in progress that started with the Commonwealth Games in 2017, to the 2000 Sydney Olympics and now the Paralympians. “Working with the Paralympics allows us to profile, support and highlight the… Read more: Harvey Norman – Going the distance for Paralympians
- Golf Day empowers people with disabilityby Danielle KutchelA full field of 50 golfers took to the field for the sold-out 2024 Queensland Blind and Inclusive Open last month. Held at Emerald Lakes on the Gold Coast, the event saw golfers with blindness or low vision take part in the competition, which was the first to be co-organised by Empower Golf with Blind… Read more: Golf Day empowers people with disability
- Disability or Different Ability?by bcooperAccording to Real and Diverse (RAD) theatre director Clark Crystal: “The arts is a safe place for all to participate in and experience and the ensemble of actors of all abilities to respond to the opportunities to build their skills and confidence”. RAD Theatre has gone from street theatre to performing on stage at the… Read more: Disability or Different Ability?
- Community ‘steps’ up at Grand Winter Ball by Danielle KutchelThe Sunshine Coast community came out for a night of generosity in support of STEPS Pathways College for its annual Grand Winter Ball. The Ball – held on Saturday 27 July – is the college’s major fundraising event and was hosted this year by media personality Melissa Doyle. Thanks to the generous contributions of guests,… Read more: Community ‘steps’ up at Grand Winter Ball