Be a better ally to the disability community starting with language. The words you choose to use shape the way society views and treats people with disability.
In April, it will be 1 year since Ann Marie Smith’s cruel and untimely death. In life, she seems to have been forgotten. Let’s not forget her in death.
You would never go around slinging out disability slurs. The last thing you want is to cause harm with your words. You would like to be an ally to the disability community, or perhaps you consider yourself one already. But even friends, family members, advocates and disability workers sometime get things wrong. In this episode of The Purple Orange Podcast, Jae Marie Jaensch guides us through things people commonly say that they think are nice, but often aren't received that way.
We made this video to show off the life-changing work of Our Voice SA, a self-advocacy group run by and for people with intellectual disability.
After graduating from her accounting degree, Daniella Biagi really struggled to get a job. She had no problem getting to the interview stage. But she said there was always an elephant in the room that no one wanted to talk about.
After a terrible life-changing event, Rod Flight reconnects with a dormant passion, but then struggles to not be boxed in by a label.
Disability Elders of All Ages (DEAA) is a peer led organisation of people living with physical disability and sensory disability (PLWPSD) in South Australia.
We have submitted our recommendations to the National Transport Commission about its review of guidelines for trials of automated vehicles in Australia.
I did not know Ann Marie Smith, but from the tragic circumstances of her death, her death shook me as if I knew her because as a person with a disability who relies on carers, I and many others in a similar situation could easily be her.
When I read of Ann Marie Smith's death, and the details that would come, I could sense the vulnerability of being reliant on someone else to ensure I am safe and healthy.
I could also feel her pain and how frightened she must have been being stuck in that chair with no one to call out to for help.
Ann Marie Smith's death highlighted the status people with disabilities unfortunately still hold within society and demonstrates how far we have to go to be treated with the dignity and respect we deserve as human beings.
Ann Marie Smith will never be forgotten. While she may have been alone and frightened due to a system that was meant to look after her and failed to do so, her memory is safe and secure in the hearts and minds of all those she has touched, even if she didn't know it.