- Theatre for everybodyby bcooperAn estimated 18 per cent of Australians have a disability, but how often do they see themselves in art, on television, in movies, books, online or on stage? How often are we hearing their stories or playing a part in the sharing the story of our society? No Strings is a professional theatre company… Read more: Theatre for everybody
- Mixed news: people with disability in the workforceby Danielle KutchelThere’s been some good news for people with disability in the workplace! The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its latest tranche of data on disability employment rates – and the unemployment rate for people with disability has dropped to 7.5 per cent, down from 10.3 per cent in 2018. However, it is still… Read more: Mixed news: people with disability in the workforce
- Footpath clues: where are they? by bcooperResearch by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has revealed there are new footpath and urban design challenges faced by people with vision impairment. A national survey of those with low vision or blindness found many challenges impacted their confidence in getting out and about with new-style urban design features such as micro-mobility, shared paths, shared roads,… Read more: Footpath clues: where are they?
- No pins standing: how champion Mitchell rolls by Danielle Kutchel“I was happy that my hard work finally paid off.” Mitchell Meares is still on cloud nine after becoming the 2024 Masters Open Champion in last month’s Tenpin Bowling Australia National Disability Championship. It was the 35th year of the National Disability Championship, which sees bowlers with disability from all around Australia to come together… Read more: No pins standing: how champion Mitchell rolls
- Cheers as Games get underway by Danielle KutchelWith a roar of applause and amidst the strains of funky music, the Special Olympics Victoria Winter State Games were declared officially open. The winter half of the State Games were held at Casey Fields in Melbourne’s south east over the weekend of 6-7 July and saw 350 athletes from 12 clubs across Victoria compete… Read more: Cheers as Games get underway
- Changing the game for disability employment: reportby Danielle KutchelAn ambitious plan to get more Queenslanders with disability into work would see employment targets tied into the legacy of the upcoming Brisbane Olympic Games. The Game Changers report, produced by Urbis and released by Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), lays out the potential for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to change the employment… Read more: Changing the game for disability employment: report
- COSP17 fuels advocate’s passionby Danielle KutchelDisability advocate and VALID Board Member William Ward-Boas has returned from the recent United Nations Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP17), and he’s ready to get back to work. Ward-Boas attended COSP17 on behalf of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), and his trip was… Read more: COSP17 fuels advocate’s passion
- Sunflowers growing awareness of invisible disabilitiesby Danielle KutchelA sunflower sticker on a shop window; an enamel sunflower pin on a colleague’s lapel; a bright sunflower lanyard adorning the neck of a customer. The eagle-eyed amongst us may have noticed that sunflowers are springing up everywhere, spreading joy and hope. For those in the disability community, this is especially poignant. The Hidden Disabilities… Read more: Sunflowers growing awareness of invisible disabilities
- Evaluating the evidence around the transition to workby Danielle KutchelThe transition from school to work for young people with disability is often a time of uncertainty and flux for families, carers and those with disability themselves. But research suggests there are ways of improving the outcomes for young people with disability making the change from school to work – helping them into supportive employment… Read more: Evaluating the evidence around the transition to work
- Brisbane ATSA a hit with the crowdsby Danielle KutchelCrowds from around Queensland and further afield flocked to last week’s Brisbane ATSA Independent Living Expo to hear about all things accessibility and assistive technology. The Brisbane edition of the event brought together over 100 exhibitors for two days of product demonstrations, discussions and presentations for the hundreds of therapists, families and carers to walk… Read more: Brisbane ATSA a hit with the crowds
- ATSA COMES TO BRISBANE THIS WEEKby Danielle KutchelThe ATSA Independent Living Expo lands in Brisbane this week at a new venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The expo features a jam-packed schedule of Australian and international speakers across two days, from Wednesday 29 to Thursday 30 May. Presentations focus on assistive technology, including mobility, adaptive fashion, rehabilitation, travel and more. The Brisbane… Read more: ATSA COMES TO BRISBANE THIS WEEK
- People with disability set out priorities in new projectby Danielle KutchelAustralians with disability are calling on the Federal government to immediately implement a number of changes to make their lives safer, fairer and more equitable. Those changes are detailed in the Priorities Project report, released by Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA). The Priorities Project, which was facilitated by DANA, consolidates some of the key issues… Read more: People with disability set out priorities in new project
- Conference explores IMPACT for employees with disabilityby Danielle KutchelEmployment for people with disability was firmly on the agenda at the Australian Disability Network IMPACT Conference 2024. Held in Melbourne on May 9, the event attracted hundreds of representatives from across the disability sector for a packed schedule of seminars as well as an expo featuring various disability services. A highlight was that every… Read more: Conference explores IMPACT for employees with disability
- A SELF-ADVOCATE’S JOURNEY TO THE UNby Danielle KutchelWilliam Ward-Boas is on a mission. The disability advocate and VALID Board Member has been invited to travel to New York to speak at the UN’s 17th Annual Conference of State Parties (COSP17) this June. Having spent six years working in the disability rights and self-advocacy space, he is looking forward to networking with other… Read more: A SELF-ADVOCATE’S JOURNEY TO THE UN
- Making the property search accessible for allby Danielle KutchelSearching for a new home can be a chore: checking bedrooms, bathrooms, car spaces and fridge space is time consuming and exhausting. But for people with disability, the search is made even more frustrating by a lack of information on the accessibility of the properties they’re looking at. But a new partnership between Spinal Life… Read more: Making the property search accessible for all
- New guide leads the way in disability messagingby Danielle KutchelAs advocates look ahead to opportunities to shift narratives around disability, a new guide aims to help them develop defining and persuasive messaging. The By Us, For Us – Disability Messaging Guide – produced as part of a partnership between Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) and Australian Progress and born of a research project into… Read more: New guide leads the way in disability messaging
- “A curated community”: the new social network for those who need connectionby Danielle KutchelLived experience of chronic illness and social isolation is driving the development of a new social media platform that aims to foster community connections. Spoony, which will launch to the wider public in May, is a dating and friendship app specially designed for neurodivergent, chronically ill and people with disability. Founder and CEO Nicholas Carlton… Read more: “A curated community”: the new social network for those who need connection
- Fundraising gala raises millions for autism ‘legacy’by Danielle KutchelColourful crowds descended on Essendon, just out of Melbourne, on Saturday night for Equal Access for Autism’s annual fundraising gala. The dress code was ‘formal with a dash of colour’, and over 1000 guests went all out to show their support for the cause. In fact, colour was everywhere: the rainbow-toned programs adorning the tables… Read more: Fundraising gala raises millions for autism ‘legacy’
- Comedy for all in Melbourne this monthby Danielle KutchelThose looking for an accessible laugh at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) are in luck, with plenty of steps being taken to make sure that the comedy on show is open to all. The festival – one of the world’s best known comedy showcases – has a dedicated accessibility page on its website with… Read more: Comedy for all in Melbourne this month
- Stepping out on a path to inclusionby Danielle KutchelPublicis Groupe ANZ has taken the first step on the path to becoming a disability confident employer. The media and communications agency group recently launched its inaugural Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. Developed in partnership with the Australian Disability Network (ADN), the plan is based on an extensive feedback process with people with disabilities, according… Read more: Stepping out on a path to inclusion