Disability Awareness – How Can We Make The World More Accessible?

Did you know that 20% of people in Australia have a disability? Yet, why do we rarely see characters with disabilities in our books? What can we all do to change the world to be more inclusive and accessible? It's not the person with a disability who needs to change; it's the world.

As someone living with Charcot Marie Tooth, a physical disability, I am deeply committed to educating students about disability language, advocating for a more accessible and inclusive world, and addressing the lack of disability representation in literature. Together, we have the power to make a meaningful impact.

During our session, we delve into various disabilities. I share a keynote about my school experiences, hospital visits, and the bullying I faced, along with how I confronted and overcame these challenges. I highlight the realisation that disability is not something to fear, but rather something to embrace and celebrate as part of our diverse world. I read a story aimed at high school students that explores disability, followed by an interactive exercise on different models of disability.

• Disability language
• Different types of disabilities
• The social model of disability
• Ways to make the world more inclusive and accessible
• My own personal story