It is well past time, ACT disability minister Emma Davidson believes, to replace the health model of disability (a barrier to overcome) with a social model (the way we structure society and community causes disability). People with disabilities have strengths and talents from which society can benefit.
“If you reduce someone just to talking about their medical needs, then you really miss out on the whole person,” Ms Davidson said.
The minister was speaking ahead of the thirtieth International Day of People with Disability (I-Day) on Saturday.
I-Day, a United Nations observed day held annually on 3 December, aims at increasing public awareness, understanding, and acceptance of people with disability, and at increasing awareness of the benefits of inclusion of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
Each year, the ACT Government’s I-Day grants provide funding of up to $5,000 to help individuals and community organisations develop a program or event to celebrate I-Day. This year, the government provided $25,000 in funding for eight programs and events, including dance performances, burlesque, and functions at schools, universities, and hotels.
“The first thing that you notice about the people participating is the creative talent or the skill that they’ve got,” Ms Davidson said. “The first thing you see is what their strength is.”
Luke Ferguson, founder of the Daydream Machine, a creative studio for neurodivergent children and young people, agrees. In his opinion, neurodivergent conditions are not a disability. Rather, his students have “a laser-like focus” on their particular interests – “and they do it better than anyone else I know, of any age”.
His students put on a show at the University of Canberra last month to launch I-Day. One moment, he recalls, young Jacob was making people laugh as a stand-up comic; then his beautiful rendition of a Madonna song made the audience tear up.
“These students are capable of anything, if given the opportunity,” he said.
As the studio’s expo this Saturday, funded by a government I-Day grant, will show. The students (some as young as 10) will launch their business ideas: designer earrings, recycled pot plants, art on mugs, calendars featuring digital art, and ‘90s gangster rap beats.
“It’s like lightbulbs going off all over the studio,” Mr Ferguson said.
Next week, the Happy Beats Dance Crew, a social Latin dance and performance group for people with disabilities, will host a social dance night at the Harmonie German Club on Wednesday 14 December; while Hands On Studio, an art studio for people with disabilities and psychosocial issues, run by CatholicCare, will host a BBQ Bash with storytelling and art making on Friday 16 December.
“It is an opportunity for people to have some fun, do something enjoyable, and showcase people’s talents and skills at the same time,” Ms Davidson said.
The ACT Government will soon release its snapshot listening report about its 10-year Disability Strategy, which aims to create a more welcoming and accessible community and improve the lives of the more than 80,000 Canberrans who identify as people with disability. The government held consultations throughout the year, and heard from hundreds of people with disability, Ms Davidson said.
- ACT Government wants to make a better Canberra for people with disabilities (3 December 2021)
- Consultation to make Canberra better for people with disabilities (31 March)
Students from the Daydream Machine went to one of those consultations. It was one of Mr Ferguson’s proudest moments, he said. Five minutes into it, he realised he did not need to be there. His students (aged 11 and 12) were articulate and passionate. “They held court,” he said.
The full report will come out in January. From there, the government will continue to work on Disability Action and Inclusion Plans. ACT Corrective Services published its plan in 2020 to ensure equitable access to justice for people with disability; Canberra Health Services is developing a plan to ensure it meets the needs of people with disability, their families and carers.
Ms Davidson believes people with disability bring different perspectives and creative thinking that can help solve social problems such as climate change, economic inequality, and housing affordability.
“I need to see people with disability at every decision-making table – whether that’s within health, education, or politics,” she said. Even MLAs with disability.
“Without question, neurodiverse kids … will be a big part of our future planning,” Mr Ferguson agrees. “They have to be, because they have brilliant minds.”
