Our Voice

I want to share my concerns about the State Trustees in my home state, says Jane. I feel they have acted unfairly and insensitively to myself as a person with disability.

Can the Disability Royal Commission change the way non-disabled people think and act? Maybe, but while the system makes it easy for non-disabled people to kick us while we’re down, while the system lacks balls, bullies will know they can get away with it.

What haunts me most, writes Kimberly Lander, is the thought that my experiences as a young person are still the experiences of young people in foster care and disability group homes now.

It has been my experience that people imagine they have a rightful position of power and control over women and girls with disabilities, writes Jamie-Lee Dwyer. It is this kind of power and control that can be abused by family, caregivers, or partners.

We need a seat at the table to create a COVID response that’s designed for all Australians – not just the ones that can see.

How did I wind up at an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE)?

Being queer, trans, disabled and mad is an experience of joy, beauty, community and safety. Despite this, I am yet to meet another person with the same shared identities that hasn’t also experienced abuse, violence, neglect or exploitation.

Nothing about my DES experience has helped me, writes Arietta. I do not matter - and never will - to a system that is designed to squeeze profit out of me with no care for my well-being.

Industrial laws and practices favour people who can work a 40 hour week, every week, between particular set hours. Those who require more flexibility are often overlooked, even though they can get the job done perfectly well – just not in the usual 9-5 fashion.