Living with disability

Living with disability
Funding boost for National Autism StrategyA further $2 million in Commonwealth funding has been committed to progress the National Autism Strategy.28 February 2023
Personal stories bring IDPwD to lifeThe stories and successes of people with lived experience were celebrated across the globe on 3 December, during International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). Challenging the way the community thinks about disability, and helping to grow a more inclusive Australia, IDPwD 2022 was underscored by the appointment of ambassadors from around the country, who pledged support to help promote the achievements and contributions of people with disability and champion inclusion.5 December 2022
Australian-first co-working space makes its markA co-working space designed for people with varying abilities is thriving in the South Australian suburb of Port Adelaide. Called ‘co-able’, the innovative collaborative venture is the first of its kind in Australia, offering single room workspaces and suites to sole traders and small businesses.28 October 2022
Enjoying the great outdoors on wheelsThe outdoors is for everyone, and in South Australia, the government is investing to make it more accessible, with all-terrain wheelchairs and electric trikes now available at popular tourist spots.20 September 2022
Setting the wheels of change in motionWe’re shining a light on another influencer with disability this edition, Green’s Senator, Jordon Steele-John. Senator Steele-John’s influence reaches well beyond social media – as a politician, he’s got the influence to change laws in Australia through his lobbying, advocacy and vote.20 September 2022
The pandemic isn’t over just because people are over itMasks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), social distancing, excellent hand hygiene – for many people with disability, this was a way of life before the pandemic. And the community’s increased commitment to staying home when sick and following infection control protocols has not just helped stop the spread of COVID-19, but it’s created a safer community for vulnerable people with compromised immune systems – often, people with disability.20 September 2022
Your vote counts - exercising your right to voteVoting – it’s how you have your say about who you want to represent you in local, state/territory or federal politics. You have the right to vote and your vote counts, so it’s important you’re prepared well before election day. It’s compulsory that everyone who’s eligible enrols to vote and votes on election day (or through another means). It’s also important to be enrolled well before an election so you’re eligible to vote when the time comes.29 August 2022
Coles tops the list for recruiting workforce with disabilityMore than 1 million Australians with disability of working age are unemployed and the unemployment rate of people with disability increased from eight per cent in 2003 to 10 per cent in 2018. But fast forward to today, and one retailer is bucking that trend. Coles Group has been ranked first out of 26 organisations for actively recruiting people with disability.15 August 2022
South Australian government creates national-first role for autismA new role has been created in South Australia to reframe autism as an opportunity, rather than a disability, with the state government introducing a national-first Assistant Minister for Autism. Emily Bourke, who is also Assistant Minister to the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, has been appointed to the role.15 August 2022
