Disability Sport & Recreation’s Post

At a recent disability meeting, I witnessed a moment that captured the clash between two very different worlds. A prominent medical doctor and administrator, made a remark that left the room still. With casual certainty, she said, "I wish to see the day when all wheelchairs become extinct." In that statement, I heard the echo of centuries of ableist thinking. Her words reflected the deep-rooted belief in the medical model of disability—the idea that disability itself is a flaw, something to be fixed or eradicated. I understood this because, at one point, I, too, passed through an education system steeped in this model. I had read the textbooks that treated wheelchairs as symbols of defeat, as a last resort for patients, a failure of the body, something to be cured or cast aside in the pursuit of "normalcy." But over the years, my journey into human rights and disability justice has taught me to see through a different lens. Today, when I look at a wheelchair, I see a symbol not of weakness, but of power. It is a tool of freedom, granting mobility, independence, and dignity. It turns boundaries into possibilities. The Paralympics stand as the ultimate testament to this truth. They redefine strength, showing the world that disability is not something to be pitied or eliminated but embraced as part of human diversity. They turn the wheelchair into a symbol of resilience and excellence. The future I hope for isn't one without wheelchairs. It’s one where the wheelchair, like all adaptive technologies, is seen as a means of empowerment, a bridge to a life lived fully and without apology. #Disability #Ableism #DisabilityCompetencies

I was pleased to be asked by the Scottish Parliament's Fair Work Committee to give evidence today regarding the disability (un)employment gap and target to half this by 2038. Unemployment is a profound issue for everyone with a learning disability I speak to (and there are hundreds) - they are so keen to work despite being subjected to hard-wired, systemic discrimination. The current poor policy environment only reinforces this experience for people making sure that if they do secure employment they are the exception rather than the rule. People with learning disabilities in Scotland who secure mainstream employment should be congratulated for their tenacity and bravery in achieving against the odds. I think the Committee were fully informed, willing to listen and responsive to the evidence the panel gave. I was pleased be part of this and work across the learning disability, autistic and neurodivergent communities. The experiences people have are very similar and there was agreement that the current situation is unacceptable and so much more needs to be done to enable people to secure their fundamental human rights, which includes employment. As for the target of halving the disability (un)employment gap by 2038, I am afraid I was highly critical. Between 4% and 8% of people with learning disabilities are currently in paid employment in Scotland. We don't know if this is mainstream employment or through specific programmes. But we do know the percentage hasn't change in years. We do know that the Government's employability programme has recently reported that of the tiny number of people with learning disabilities it supported only 12% remain in work after 12 months (the worst of all groups). Given all of this, SCLD believes that even the above target is unachievable, and that is despite it lacking ambition and consigning a generation of people with learning disabilities to the status quo. Better is essential! The full evidence session is available on this link, but be warned, its two hours long. https://lnkd.in/ekwR7fpa

Congratulations Enable NZ! Interesting read on the origins of Enable.

Discover the transformative power of community engagement with BB Disability Health Services, where we champion active involvement and joy in every aspect of life. As leaders in disability support services in NSW, our mission is to empower individuals through supported independent living, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and thrive within their communities. Navigating the landscape of disability support services presents its unique challenges, from ensuring personalized care plans to integrating meaningful community engagement opportunities. At BB Disability Health Services, we prioritize a balance between independence and support, recognizing the distinct needs and aspirations of each individual we serve. Our approach is rooted in the belief that community engagement is not just beneficial but essential for wellbeing. Whether it's participating in local events, volunteering, or simply sharing experiences with others, we facilitate avenues for our clients to get active and involved. In doing so, we also face the trade-offs of adapting our programs to fit a diverse range of abilities while maintaining the quality and accessibility of our services. It's a dynamic process, but one we navigate with dedication and care, always considering the impact on those we support. Choose BB Disability Health Services for unparalleled disability support services in NSW. Embrace supported independent living and unlock the joy of community engagement today. #CommunityEngagement #DisabilitySupport #IndependentLiving #Empowerment #Inclusion #BBHealthServices

I’ve known for a long time that self-employment is the best way to meet my access needs, but for some reason it hadn’t quite hit me until I was re-reading one of Disability Arts Online’s incredibly useful guides on Access to Work (after recommending it to someone else) and it said: “…perhaps being self-employed in itself is your reasonable adjustment.” I have sometimes felt uncomfortable about using my Access to Work grant, feeling like I have to find a justification for why I want to use it for certain things, particularly as the system in it’s current setup doesn’t fully represent my working life or what access requirements look like for me. I’m very grateful to have had a really supportive Case Manager at AtW who encouraged me to take the support and use it however I need it, and in fact bumped up the grant to give me more than I’d originally asked for. When you’ve spent so long struggling and that being ‘normal’ it can be hard sometimes to notice when you’re expecting too much of yourself, and even then giving yourself permission to accept help when it’s available. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about claiming space as a disabled professional, and when I read the quote above yesterday something clicked into place for me, something that was nearly there but I hadn’t fully accepted. Self employment is a reasonable adjustment for me. I want to work in a way that doesn’t make me ill, that doesn’t cause me undue stress, and that allows me to contribute to society in the best way I can. When I’m working in ways that meet my access needs, I can achieve so much more, give so much more, and be so much more fulfilled doing it. I can - and do - make a difference in the world. If you’re a disabled creative considering Access to Work do check out the DAO guides: https://lnkd.in/d4RdMSPm

ISSP Initiative Featured in the Minister’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Progress Reports 🌻 I am thrilled to share that our work has been highlighted in this year’s Minister for Disability Services DAIP Progress Report, a streamlined publication showcasing 26 standout initiatives from 212 public authorities and 2,211 completed actions. Our City of Fremantle Swim School’s Individual Swim Support Plan (ISSP) initiative has been recognised for its significant impact. The ISSP was developed to remove barriers to participation for swimmers with disability by creating comprehensive, strengths-based, individualised plans. These plans focus on reasonable adjustments and tailored support strategies to meet the unique needs of each swimmer. Key achievements of the ISSP include: - Training for swimming instructors to equip them with the knowledge and skills to understand each swimmer’s needs and strengths. - Implementation of individualised plans resulting in a 100% participation rate. - Making a tangible difference for students with disability and their families by fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. This recognition highlights the incredible efforts of the dedicated staff at the Fremantle Leisure Centre Swim School. Their passion and commitment to embedding the principles of inclusive practice into planning and delivery have been instrumental in the program’s success. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this initiative a reality. This achievement demonstrates how thoughtful, tailored adjustments can create meaningful change in the lives of people with disability and their families. https://lnkd.in/g5jvUKbD #DisabilityInclusion #InclusivePractices #DAIP #MinisterDisabilityServices #CityofFremantle #Accessibility #InclusionMatters

What is Your Why? Do you leave tracks for others to follow? My Why is simple….. ✅ To close the employment opportunity gap for all underrepresented groups ✅ And see greater representation of disabled workers in employment In order for this to happen, we need more education around: ▶ Disability awareness ▶ How to attract, hire, support & develop disabled people in their careers ▶ Support employers in their Disability Confident Journey ▶ To become Disability Smart Employers! This is my purpose, my WHY that drives me every single day.  ▶ Leaving tracks ▶ Leaving a legacy ▶ Creating purpose 🔆 That is why every Thursday at 1pm BST I host FREE Disability Confident workshops on LinkedIn. 🔆 This week, Thursday the 16th of May is GAAD.  🔆 To celebrate, I'm running a FREE special session on Accessibility & Disability Awareness @1pm BST Thurs the 16th of May Link to join is in the comments below 🔽 Together we can create a more equitable, fairer, kinder workforce for future generations. Where underrepresented groups don’t simply fall through the cracks. But where we match talent to opportunity and bridge the gap to access opportunity. 🔀 That is why I leave tracks for others to follow. 🔀 Because this journey isn’t easy. 🔀 However, through education, workshops and good old fashioned hard work, we can close the opportunity to gap for so many As in the words of one of the greatest champions of women’s rights, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived”. So, what is your Why? AND Are you leaving tracks for others to follow? You can start by joining me this Thursday at 1pm BST on the link below 🔽 #GAAD #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #DisabilityConfident Alt Description: Image of train tracks leading off into the distance. On either side are trees and hedgerows.

What an amazing conference! Hats off to Disability Employment Australia for orchestrating such a well-planned and executed event. From a stunning venue and an ever-entertaining MC to a lineup of passionate and informative speakers, every detail was spot on. Deep respect goes out to DES providers and their staff. They dedicate their working lives (often much more), to support people with disabilities into meaningful employment. It's neither glamorous nor easy, yet despite their unwavering dedication, they're often left waiting until the final hour for crucial information required to start planning effectively for the future. During times like these, it's clear how invaluable an invested and passionate peak body is. I'm sure you'll agree that this opportunity for us to gather, listen, question, and collaborate as one sector is something immensely appreciated. Change is upon us, but too often, its burden falls solely on our Execs and Senior Leaders, with frontline staff kept in the dark. But the change required in DES right now can only occur at the speed it needs to, if our frontline staff are aware, informed and involved in contributing to this change. Despite the many unanswered questions, one thing is certain: quality is everything. If your staff don't know what quality looks like or the changes required by them to achieve it, sharing the load and evolving together will be impossible! I'm really inspired to be working in partnership with DEA in assisting DES providers in achieving this important evolution! Disability Employment Australia Peter Bacon FIEP genU Training Lisa Abbott FIEP Richard Johnson #DisabilityEmployment #DES #QualityMatters #Leadership #Collaboration #EmpowerFrontlineStaff #FundamentalsforDES

A local council accessibility action plan - like the one recently announced in Geelong - can be a game-changer, because it allows for holistic, strategic action that takes into account the unique needs, culture and lifestyles of the. disability community. Change can be achieved through a placemaking lens, ranging from critical public infrastructure and new builds right through to considerations about leisure and recreation, like beach accessibility. #2024DisabilityEmpowerment #LocalCouncils #AccessibilityNews

At Disability Sports Australia, we’re committed to understanding and overcoming the barriers that prevent individuals with disability from participating in sport. Recently, concerns have been raised about the accessibility of NDIS funding for sport and recreation. In collaboration with our members, we are actively consulting with the community to understand the practical implications of these concerns on individual funding. Often, misunderstandings of legislation, rather than legislative changes, contribute to these issues. To address this, we’ve launched a survey to gather insights on the impact of recent NDIS changes on grassroots sport participation. We need your help to reach those impacted. Your feedback will guide our advocacy efforts with government to ensure equal access to sport for all. Our goal is to gather a wide range of perspectives on these changes and their impact. If your organisation would also like co-branded assets to support distribution, please reach out. We would greatly appreciate your participation in or sharing of this survey within your network. https://lnkd.in/gYzhJRg2 Sporting Wheelies | ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. | HorsePower Australia | Australian Sports Commission | People with Disability Australia (PWDA) | AUSactive | Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) | WA Disabled Sports Association Inc