Let Us In!

Kurt Fearnley and Sarah Shands talk with people with disability about what their lives are really like. The challenges, the discrimination, the triumphs — and everything in between.

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Episodes

The cost of COVID

While Australia and the world has opened back up, there are thousands of Australians still isolating at home. Why? Because catching COVID could mean death. In this episode of Let Us In! we look at what can be done to make Australia safer for people with disability and chronic health conditions.Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Together they talk with people with disability and some key decision-makers about what life is real...

Oct 25, 2022•19 min

"I'm proud of who I am, just as I am" Why disability pride matters

Australia has long held a policy of segregating people with disability. In this episode we look at how this happens today and talk about why disability pride matters.Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Together they talk with people with disability and some key decision-makers about what life is really like and what we're doing to fix any issues. The challenges, the discrimination, the triumphs — and everything in between....

Oct 18, 2022•19 min

"It's the system that's the problem". How airlines are failing people with disability

COVID closed off air travel for most Australians but you could argue that for people with disability, it's never really been open. From wheelchair user limits, to inconsistent policies and inaccessible public transport, the disability community is increasingly isolated and unable to participate in society. We explore how people with disability feel about flying and some of the ways airlines discriminate against people with disability.Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Sh...

Oct 11, 2022•24 min

Would you work for $2.37 an hour?

The unemployment rate of Australians with a disability has been unchanged for about 30 years, sitting at around 10%. And nearly half of Australians with a disability live below the poverty line. Why aren't we seeing progress? This episode will look at why Australians don't think people with disabilities should be given the same opportunities to work.Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Together they talk with people with disabi...

Oct 04, 2022•20 min

The ins and outs of accessing public places.

Parliament Square. Sounds like it should be accessible to all in a modern democracy, right? In 2016, David Cawthorne challenged that the planned redevelopment of Hobart's Parliament Square didn't meet that basic test. The developer says they meet their requirements under the law. The disability community says they do not. This battle made it all the way to the High Court of Australia. Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Togeth...

Sep 27, 2022•20 min

What is the Great Australian Dream for people with disability?

In July 2008, Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. When it comes to housing, the convention states all people should be able "to choose their residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others, and not be obliged to live in particular living arrangements". So is Australia living up to its responsibility?Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Together t...

Sep 20, 2022•20 min

Are Australian schools inclusive?

Education for children with disability is a divisive issue. Every parent wants what is best for their child. But what is best? Inclusive mainstream education or special schools? Or something in between? We take a look at one of the last bastions of segregation in Australia and why it still exists today.Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Together they talk with people with disability and some key decision-makers about what lif...

Sep 13, 2022•20 min

It's time to Let Us In!

What's life like living with a disability in Australia? How do we measure up as an inclusive society? Kurt Fearnley is a proud person with a disability and Sarah Shands is a mum of a child with a disability. Together they talk with people with disability and some key decision-makers about what life is really like and what we're doing to fix any issues. The challenges, the discrimination, the triumphs — and everything in between.

Sep 07, 2022•2 min

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