Since appearing on Love on the Spectrum, Michael Theo<\/a> says he is still surprised when people call him an \u2018inspiration\u2019. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This year’s IDPwD theme<\/a> is \u2018Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future\u2019. It highlights the importance of recognising and empowering people with disability to take on leadership roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Globally, the World Health Organisation<\/a> estimates that over 1.3 billion people (16 percent) live with some form of disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All the more reason to treat everyone with kindness and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has simple tips<\/a> for communicating with people who have physical (such as a wheelchair), vision, hearing, and intellectual disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the general tips are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical disabilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hearing impaired<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vision impaired<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mental illness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mental illness could include a mood disorder like depression or anxiety or a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Intellectual disability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n AFDO has are many more helpful tips<\/a> you can use. Kiruna Stamwell<\/strong><\/a> gives great advice<\/strong> on ABC Kids Listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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\u2019t feel very disabled.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a Sydney TED talk<\/a>, Stella said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have been sold a lie. The lie is that disability is a Bad Thing. And to live with disability makes you exceptional. It doesn\u2019t. It\u2019s not a bad thing. And living with disability is not exceptional.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the TED talk, Stella said she used the term \u2018porn\u2019 deliberately because it uses images to objectify one group of people for the benefit of another group of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ableism<\/a> is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be minor or \u2018everyday ableism\u2019 such as choosing a venue for a meeting that isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talking to people with disability as if they were a child is ableist. Asking invasive personal questions is also ableist as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Artists and performers with disability should be allowed to own their stories and challenge stereotypes. The Quippings Troupe<\/a> says disability needs a platform, not a box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be inclusive:<\/strong> Celebrate the unique contributions of people with disabilities (just as people, no need for them to be inspirational). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Carly Findlay, author of the book Say Hello<\/a>, says it\u2019s important that people with disability are front and centre of IDPwD showing their pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carly<\/a>, who has ichthyosis, facial difference and disability says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I want to show parents who have a disabled child that there is no need to grieve a life lost \u2013 because their child is alive and can live a great life with love and support.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities <\/a>(CRPD), which influences our policies and legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Australian Government promotes independence and societal inclusion for people with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The national IDPwD website has resources for individuals, communities and workplaces for celebrating the day. A big lunch<\/a> is held every year in WA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These organisations act as voices for people with disabilities. They also advocate for systemic and legislative reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about Central Coast’s IDPwD, visit <\/strong>Central Coast Council.<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/a> on the council website.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is International Day of People with Disability?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is meant by \u2018disability\u2019?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How many people have disability?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do you talk to someone with a disability<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow should kids talk to people with disabilities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beware of tokenism and exploitation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is Ableism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Challenge stereotypes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Disability rights are human rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Disability Representative Organisations (DROs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nAdvice from Michael Theo <\/h2>\n\n\n\n