This weekend, Aboriginal Elders were booed while delivering Welcome to Country at Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Uncle Ray Minniecon — an ADF veteran whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade — continued his Acknowledgement of Country while people booed for nearly a minute. He was applauded when he finished. … Read more
If you’re disabled, from a marginalised group, or you’ve done this work long enough, you’ll have heard it: “Why do <insert marginalised group here> always seem to have a chip on their shoulder?” It usually gets said with a shrug or a laugh — a throwaway comment that frames frustration as the real problem, rather … Read more
Welcome to this edition of ‘Making Inclusion Work’. Today, I discuss why the concept of ‘best practice’ often falls short when finding inclusive solutions for marginalised communities. While ‘best practice’ offers a standard approach, it frequently overlooks the unique needs and challenges faced by these communities. Let’s explore why we need to move beyond best … Read more
This week is #SocialInclusionWeek2020 – a week raising awareness of an issue that is of great importance to me. As such, my weekly round-up of 10 things to know about disability is dedicated to social inclusion. People with disabilities face social exclusion on a daily basis, and it is usually the result of minor things … Read more
As we are coming to the end of Trans Awareness Week 2020 and coming closer to Transgender Remembrance Day on 20th of November 2020 where we remember those in the trans community that have died due to a world full of misunderstanding and hate, I wanted to discuss an important documentary on Netflix that is … Read more
Language matters. How we speak matters. It shapes our worlds. I was recently listening to an interview around diversity and inclusion, and someone used a phrase which we have all heard at one time or another. It was a common phrase and one that I’ve even used. At that moment, however, it dawned on me … Read more
It’s time for another weekly round of ’10 things to know about’ and this week it’s about the word ‘disability’. Let’s just jump straight to my list. 1. Disability is not a dirty word. 2. Disability is not a dirty word. 3. Disability is not a dirty word. 4. Disability is not a dirty word … Read more
Privilege is one of those discussions that seems to get people off-side very easily. People think because they are labelled “privileged”, it must mean they are well off and don’t face any problems. This is not the case. A person has privilege when they have an unearned advantage over other people. I have the privilege … Read more
Have you ever come across a poem that is so powerfully written that you feel completely overcome with emotion? Recently this poem was shared with me. Words so powerful, because I was reading something that echoed my own experiences. Words so powerful because I know I will never be in the way again, no longer … Read more
I was recently asked what are the 10 things, I wish people knew about disability. Here they are in no particular order. To readers, some of these will appear common sense, however, experiences I have had demonstrate there are still gaps in awareness. Please note, these are not my only 10, but were the first … Read more
What a year it’s been so far. We’ve already been through one of the worst bushfire seasons we’ve ever seen, and before we’ve even had time to take stock, and thrown into a pandemic, which has drastically altered our way of life in a matter of months. We have seen what wonderful things humans are capable … Read more
