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Stronger Together — Celebrating International Day of People with Disability

ByNarara Valley

Celebrating International Day of People with Disability

Since appearing on Love on the Spectrum, Michael Theo says he is still surprised when people call him an ‘inspiration’. Now playing Austin (also on ABC TV), Theo has used his platform to advocate for people with autism and neurodiversity. Michael was last year’s Ambassador for International Day of People with Disability.

What is International Day of People with Disability?

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations-sanctioned day celebrated on 3 December every year. Its purpose is to promote understanding and respect for people with disabilities, as well as to celebrate their contributions to society. 

This year’s IDPwD theme is ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’. It highlights the importance of recognising and empowering people with disability to take on leadership roles.

What is meant by ‘disability’?

There are different kinds of disabilities. From physical, intellectual, learning difficulties, psychiatric, sensory, neurological, psychosocial, and invisible. Many of us have more than one disability.

How many people have disability?

Disability is a diverse experience affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. In Australia, approximately 1 in 5 people (5.5 million) live with disability, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that over 1.3 billion people (16 percent) live with some form of disability. 

All the more reason to treat everyone with kindness and care.

How do you talk to someone with a disability?

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has simple tips for communicating with people who have physical (such as a wheelchair), vision, hearing, and intellectual disabilities.

Among the general tips are:

  • Speak in an age-appropriate tone and treat adults as adults.
  • If a person with a disability is with another person, such as a carer, still speak directly to the person with disability.
  • Avoid using negative phrases like ‘crippled’ or ‘suffers from’. Use the phrase ‘people who use a wheelchair’ rather than ‘wheelchair bound’.

Physical disabilities

  • If you are speaking with someone in a wheelchair, try to find something to sit on so you can be at eye level with them.
  • Remember their wheelchair or walking aids are part of their space, so don’t touch them.

Hearing impaired

  • When speaking to a person with a hearing impairment, face them directly and maintain eye contact. They may be able to lip read so try not to cover your mouth.
  • Speak at a normal volume, not too loudly. Try to use short sentences.

Vision impaired

  • If the person has a vision impairment, address them by name. Verbalise any information you want to express rather than using body language.
  • It’s best not to pat or distract a guide dog in a harness.

Mental illness

Mental illness could include a mood disorder like depression or anxiety or a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.

  • Be aware that they may need more body space than you.
  • It’s better to use ‘I’ statements, instead of ‘you’ statements and to be calm.
  • Be a

Intellectual disability

  • Be specific and direct.
  • Keep questions simple and easy to answer.
  • Be prepared to use body language and visual cues to help the person understand.

AFDO has are many more helpful tips you can use.

How should kids talk to people with disabilities?

Kiruna Stamwell gives great advice on ABC Kids Listen.

  • 1. Your attitudes make a big difference.

“In places where I feel ridicule or discrimination, I feel the most disabled. In environments where people are kind, open-minded, and accepting of my difference, I don’t feel very disabled.”

  • 2. Attitudes help improve the accessibility of the world to people with disability. Consider your birthday parties, for example. How can you involve people who may have disability so they aren’t left out?
  • 3. Consider the person first, disability second. Kiruna agrees that it should be easy. Put the person first such as “Kiruna, the person with dwarfism” or “Westley, the person with cerebral palsy.”
  • 4. If you communicate with respect and kindness, it doesn’t matter what happens. No one’s perfect. We’re all doing our best.

Beware of tokenism and exploitation

Stella Young, a disability rights activist, criticised a harmful practice that objectifies people with disabilities. She argued that such portrayals reduce individuals to mere objects of pity or inspiration, rather than recognising their full humanity and agency.

In a Sydney TED talk, Stella said,

“We have been sold a lie. The lie is that disability is a Bad Thing. And to live with disability makes you exceptional. It doesn’t. It’s not a bad thing. And living with disability is not exceptional.” 

In the TED talk, Stella said she used the term ‘porn’ deliberately because it uses images to objectify one group of people for the benefit of another group of people.

What is Ableism?

Ableism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities. 

It can be minor or ‘everyday ableism’ such as choosing a venue for a meeting that isn’t accessible. Or casting non-disabled actors to play roles of people with disability for entertainment. Or building websites that are not accessible for people who are blind or have tremor.

Talking to people with disability as if they were a child is ableist.  Asking invasive personal questions is also ableist as well.

The assumption is that people with disabilities need to be fixed, rather than accommodated. An inclusive society is always better than a divided and inequitable one.

Challenge stereotypes

The theme of this year is a call to increase leadership roles and opportunities for people with disability. That would create a fairer and more equitable society.

Artists and performers with disability should be allowed to own their stories and challenge stereotypes. The Quippings Troupe says disability needs a platform, not a box.

Be inclusive: Celebrate the unique contributions of people with disabilities (just as people, no need for them to be inspirational). 

Carly Findlay, author of the book Say Hello, says it’s important that people with disability are front and centre of IDPwD showing their pride.

Carly, who has ichthyosis, facial difference and disability says,

“I want to show parents who have a disabled child that there is no need to grieve a life lost – because their child is alive and can live a great life with love and support.”

Disability rights are human rights

Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which influences our policies and legislation.

The Australian Government promotes independence and societal inclusion for people with disabilities.

Australia has the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is known around the world as a transformational social and economic platform. Research found that the scheme has created 270,000 direct jobs over 20 categories and contributes a return of $2.25 for every dollar invested.

The national IDPwD website has resources for individuals, communities and workplaces for celebrating the day. A big lunch is held every year in WA.

 Disability Representative Organisations (DROs)

These organisations act as voices for people with disabilities. They also advocate for systemic and legislative reforms.

For more information about Central Coast’s IDPwD, visit Central Coast Council. In 2022, the Central Coast Council created a virtual reality project to help change attitudes and behaviours towards people with disability. You can watch the video on the council website.

Advice from Michael Theo

Michael Theo gave advice to young people on the spectrum. He said on the Department of Social Services YouTube channel for last year’s IDPwD.

“The message I’d like to give anyone on the spectrum is just be your true self. Don’t mask your feelings and don’t hide who you are. If people can’t accept you, that’s their problem. You are not the one who needs to change, they are.”

Happy International Day of People with Disability!

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