To celebrate International Day of People with Disability, we hosted a live Q&A so you can learn from those with lived experiences.
Look back on what was asked and answered in our live blog.
Key events
Live updates
That's a wrap for our live blog
By Shiloh Payne
Here's Ness Vlajkovic:
And that's a wrap for our live Q&A today! We hope you all enjoyed reading the blog and learning something new from our panelists. Thanks to those people who submitted questions, we appreciate all your contributions!
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Analysis: I dug deep into the big issues for people with disability in Australia today. This is what I learned
By Jessica Riga
Over the past year I've spent time deep-diving into some of the big issues for people with disability in Australia today. This is what I've learned, writes Kurt Fearnley.
As far as I'm concerned our stories need to be told year round, not just on a single day each December. There needs to be genuine conversation and action not just in the disability community but between all Australians. Law makers, governments of all levels, business, community groups and community — everyone.
You can read Kurt's full analysis using the link below.
A final word from Tammy
By Jessica Riga
What I have found most helpful is connecting with groups of adults with disabilities.
Sharing their lived experience can help us understand our child’s perspective and to know what to expect in the future.
It’s a really valuable resource.
What does a typical day look like for Tammy, Dawson and Aiden?
By Jessica Riga
Ness put this question to Tammy. Here's what she said:
My youngest boy needs a lot of support and constant supervision. He needs help with eating, preparing food, bathing, dressing, toileting etc. I help him with all of these activities before school.
He catches the school bus most days and is picked up by a support worker to go to after school activities (as I work during the day). He comes home around 5pm and then I help him with all aspects of his night routine before going to bed around 8.
My eldest boy is independent in a lot of aspects but needs help to be organised and to stay on track of his routines. The youngest one is a social butterfly who wants to be out and about and keeping busy so weekends are a constant tag team of taking him out to do activities between myself, my husband and a support worker.
The eldest one is a home body and although he can be left at home on his own he prefers to have an adult supporting him when he leaves the house.
Why I hid my disability for years
By Jessica Riga
People with invisible disabilities are still routinely disbelieved — and it can have long-lasting effects, writes Evan Young.
I guess I can sort of see why some people mightn't believe I'm disabled.
When I'm out in public, you'll see an average, unremarkable guy. I could be slouching or a little slow to respond, but that's about it.
What you won't see is what's going on inside my body.
You won't feel the aches and pains permanently embedded in my muscles, the brain fog so thick at times I need to read something five or six times before it sinks in, or the exhaustion so persistent I've forgotten what it's actually like to wake up feeling refreshed.
You won't know I've meticulously planned my day because any spontaneous activity I haven't budgeted for risks sending me into bed for a week or more.
But just because those things aren't immediately visible, it doesn't mean they're not there or don't happen.
You can read Evan's full article in the link below.
What's on your bucket list?
By Shiloh Payne
This one is for Rebecca Evans:
It might seem like I’m a bit repetitive on the powerchair football front - but that’s only because it’s my major life passion! So I’d say the top of my bucket list would be to represent Australia at a powerchair football World Cup. To represent Australia would be absolutely amazing, but I’d also be the first female to represent Australia at a powerchair football World Cup, which would make it extra special.
My other bucket list item is to visit Harry Potter World in Florida in the US as I’m a massive Harry Potter fan. International travel is difficult due to the inaccessibility of travelling on an aeroplane, and not being able to remain in my wheelchair for the flight. But maybe one day I’ll win the lotto and be able to hire a private jet to get there!
Was there adequate support and information available to you at the time of your kids' diagnoses?
By Jessica Riga
This question is for Tammy Whait. Here's what she said:
I feel that there’s a lot of gaps in this area to be honest.
Families do have to be very proactive in finding out information themselves and often it’s other parents of children with disabilities that are the best resource.
How Ella would like to be treated as a person with intellectual disability
By Jessica Riga
Ella Darling is sick of being mollycoddled.
She's also sick of being taken advantage of, essentially ignored, and written off as "strange".
The 27-year-old works for the Council for Intellectual Disability as a project worker and has given evidence to the Disability Royal Commission.
We asked her how she'd instead like to be treated as a person with intellectual disability.
In the link below, this is what she said.
When your children were diagnosed with their disabilities, how did it make you feel?
By Jessica Riga
This question is for Tammy Whait. Here's what she says:
With my eldest son it was a mixture of relief (because I had known for some time that he was different) and scared for his future.
With my youngest son I definitely went through a grieving period as I wasn’t expecting to have another child with disabilities and so it was somewhat of a shock.
However what I’ve learned along the way is that having children with disabilities is challenging but equally rewarding.
What is your favourite type of job to interpret?
By Shiloh Payne
We put this one to Dianne Prior:
All sorts! Vanessa knows I have to say university is one of my favourites! Overall, it’s professionally rewarding to see the understanding dawn on a client’s face, be they Deaf or hearing.
Being there to open up to someone’s perspectives is grand as it is truly a beautiful world out there. One of my all-time favourite regular gigs are doing concerts and having Deaf people in the audience copy my signs and “sing-along”.
Finding love is always a long shot, but these couples with disabilities are defying all the odds
By Jessica Riga
Watching your dinner date stare at their mobile phone may not feel like a sign the romantic evening is going well.
But for Nathan Jason, 20, and Jenna Jones, 21, it’s an essential tool for an evening out.
The Sunshine Coast couple share a rare eye condition that renders them both legally blind and they use their phones to read restaurant menus.
It is just one of the challenges they share that has helped them navigate the dating scene.
For some love matches, it’s a case of opposites attract but for these couples it is shared experiences of living with disability that helps bind them together.
You can check out the full story using the link below.
Were your family supportive of you after you received your diagnoses?
By Jessica Riga
We put this question to Daniel Munter. Here's what he said:
My Mum has been my biggest supporter and advocate from day one.
When I was in early primary school, there was a range of different behavioural and self-regulation issues that my Mum was noticing. She really pushed to gain a diagnosis for me, but back in the late 90s/early 2000s, medical professionals pushed the issue back onto her. They claimed that the reason I was getting in trouble at school was due to the fact that she was a single mother raising her child, and that it was a result of poor parenting. When I was officially diagnosed with ADHD, she was extremely supportive, and would be my champion in so many spaces.
As I grew up, Mum also knew that just ADHD wasn't able to fully encompass my disability profile. She would push back on medical professionals, as they were perceiving my issues through the medical model, and any time there was contradicting evidence they would suggest an increase in my medication.
In my early teens, my Mum took me to an autism specialist, and from there the way I was engaging with the world made sense, and made me feel less alone. I received my autism diagnosis, and even though I didn't fully understand what it was at the time, it is a massive part of my identity today and I am so grateful for my Mum's resilience to persevere and challenge the 'experts.'
If my Mum didn't support me in this process, I wouldn't be the disability advocate that I am today, and I am so appreciative for everything she has done (and continues to do) to allow me to do the work that I do.
Why is it important to hear from different voices and experiences?
By Shiloh Payne
We've been asked why there are members on the panel who don't have disabilities. So we asked Ness Vlajkovic why it's important to hear from different voices and experiences.
Here's how she put it:
Well — Dianne's parents have a disability. It is insightful to hear about the perspective of a child growing up with disabled parents. Tammy has children with disability — like Dianne, it's useful to hear her point of view as a parent.
They may not have lived with disability themselves BUT have family with disability which is still super relevant.
These people's thoughts matter just as much as mine and other disabled people's because they can shine a light on issues and topics that aren't otherwise discussed.
What's the most difficult job you've had to interpret for?
By Shiloh Payne
This one is for Dianne Prior:
I have interpreted for everything from births to funerals so there are many emotional settings that can cause vicarious trauma but a great debriefing network is gold.
The most difficult ones for me are signing songs for original bands. I have to learn the song, decide on a translation that suits the message/intention of the song, learn the translation.
All in all, it can take a couple of hours just for one song. I love doing cover songs, however.
What advice would you give to other parents whose children have the same or similar disabilities as yours?
By Jessica Riga
Here's what Tammy Whait had to say:
The first tip is that it's a marathon.
When our child first is diagnosed we often feel like we have to make everything happen at once and overload our child and ourselves which isn't good for anyone. It's best to pace ourselves and prioritise the goals.
My second tip is that no decision is concrete.
We can choose a therapist or a school or a social skills program that we think is right and if it turns out it's not right we can make another choice.
Often parents get overly stressed about making the right decisions but the reality is that things change and we just have to learn to be flexible and know that no decision is forever so if it ends up not being the right one it's ok. There are always other options.
How do you communicate with others both in person and online?
By Shiloh Payne
We put this question to Ness Vlajkovic:
I use what's called a BrailleNote device which pairs via Bluetooth to my phone or iPad. This is how I communicate with people who can't sign.
Like for instance, I'm using my BN right now to take part in this blog.
In-person I use an interpreter or what's called a communication guide — both of these provide me with tactile sign language wherein I have one of my hands (the left one) over their right hand to feel the signs.
I also use tactile fingerspelling and visual frame signing — it depends on the person I am with and how well I can understand their signing as to if I need to touch or watch at close range.
A few weeks ago, a stranger laughed at my disability. What I did next took me by surprise
By Jessica Riga
It might surprise you, but despite being a medal-winning Paralympian, I wasn’t always proud of my disability, writes national disability affairs reporter Elizabeth Wright.
Here's an excerpt from Elizabeth's article:
No-one expects to go to the supermarket and face harassment.
But a few weeks ago, in the fruit aisle, a woman, standing only a couple of metres away, looked me straight in the eyes as she pointed at my prosthetic leg and laughed.
"Come here and look at that," she said, waving her partner over.
I felt embarrassed; I glared at the woman and said loudly, "that's not a nice thing to say, is it?"
It might not be a mind-blowing comeback, but at 43, it was the first time I've ever had the confidence to call out harassment.
You can continue reading Elizabeth's article using the link below.
How can employers make workplaces more inclusive?
By Jessica Riga
The rate of unemployment of people with disability in Australia is shocking. What needs to change? How can employers make workplaces more inclusive?
- Marie
Hi Marie, thanks for writing in. We've put this question to Daniel Munter. Here's what he says:
The answer to this question is comprehensive and multi-faceted.
Employer attitudes need to change. Organisations need to see the real value that people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Different approaches, lived experiences and expertise creates better quality work outcomes, period. Organisations that see this value see the value in their outputs, and in their organisational culture.
Employers can be more inclusive in many ways. This includes but is not limited to:
Having physically accessible spaces (i.e. automated doors, accessible facilities, low sensory office spaces etc.)
Actively seeking feedback from staff to make all staff feeling included, not just people with disabilities.
Having a designated Inclusion Support Officer or staff that people can go to for human-centered adaptations based on their access needs.
Allowing people to make mistakes — often people with disabilities get placed in roles where there are bubbles around them and nothing they do could ever be wrong. We call this paternalism — being too nice and overstepping supports that you would not do to a person without a disability. We want to be treated equitably; this includes not having standards or expectations lowered due to the fact that we are people with disabilities.
There is so much more to this space!
Who is your hero/role model?
By Shiloh Payne
Here's Rebecca Evans:
That is a tough question! There are so many people that I look up to. Within the disability community, I would probably say people like Dr George Taleporos, Carly Findlay, Samantha Connor and Dylan Alcott.
All have done amazing work to make the world better for disabled people, which is something I admire.
I'd also add the people who are perhaps less 'profiled' but have inspired me in life — those who have similar disabilities and are living independently, those with disability who re-located interstate before I did and answered all my questions, or those international female athletes in the powerchair football community (which is a largely male-dominated sport).
They are my role models too!
We asked the previous question to more panel members
By Jessica Riga
Q: What is one thing you would like to tell people that would make your lives easier for us to know?
Here's what Daniel Munter says:
Ask people with disabilities how you can best support them!
Far too often, people base the way that you should engage with people with disabilities based on either stereotype, fear or on the one person that they know with a disability.
The ways disabilities present are so diverse, and so are people. Full stop!
So just ask people what they need, view every person as their own human, of which disability is part of their identity, and you'll be doing so much good for the disabled community.
Consultation and co-design is so important, nothing about us without us.
