In each edition, we’re shining a light on a disability influencer who’s definitely worth a follow! Meet Hannah Diviney, a writer, editor and self-described professional daydreamer.
Hannah’s writing has been published in the New York Times and the Washington Post, and showcased on the BBC. She’s now in the process of writing a book, and she’s also scheduled to appear in the SBS TV show Latecomers.
A 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.
When Australian comedian, Em Rusciano, took to the stage at a recent National Press Club gathering, she shone a spotlight on one of the most talked about topics in disability circles – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD.
The 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.
We’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.
It’s heavy stuff – there’s no other way to put it when it comes to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (known as the Disability Royal Commission – DRC). But to ensure people with disability, their families and supporters have their voices heard, the DRC is encouraging stakeholders to make submissions in a wide variety of formats.
In this edition of Choice, we’re giving a shout out to another disability influencer who’s doing great things – 2022 Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott OAM! Dylan, an athlete, philanthropist, media commentator and disability advocate, is perhaps best known for winning four Paralympic gold medals (three in wheelchair tennis, and one in wheelchair basketball). Importantly, he has also founded several organisations supporting and championing people with disability.
A 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.
More 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.
