Andy Jackson is a poet and creative writing teacher who was awarded RMIT’s Future of Health Fellowship. Andy’s book “Human Looking” – a poetry collection that gives voice to a range of experiences of people with disability – won the 2022 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Poetry. In our interview we explore ideas of health, the challenging and problematic pursuit of “normal” in the health care context, the nature of fears that possibly drive the ableist instinct, and the place that creatives ha...
Nov 27, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 1
The Spring 2022 Edition of the Canberra Disability Review is available soon. This edition has a focus on the experience of parents with disability. We have an interview with Eliza Hull, musician and editor of "We've Got This." We have fantastic lived experience articles that look into everything from the far from wholistic reality of health services to the power of disability pride. Make sure you register to be notified when it's out at: www.advocacyforinclusion.org/cdr/ As always, the Canberra ...
Oct 11, 2022•55 sec•Season 4Ep. 5
Akiko Hirata, Assistant Editor and Researcher for the Canberra Disability Reviews, gives an update on the great content for the Canberra Disability Review Winter Edition. There's a lot to look forward to in this edition from the focus on inclusion in disaster planning and management through to some fine contribution from the Canberra community. You can find more information about the review, and the Autumn Edition, at: » Canberra Disability Review (advocacyforinclusion.org) If you have an idea f...
Jun 29, 2022•4 min•Season 4Ep. 4
We are all on a journey towards our full truth and identity. On the journey we experience relationships, our sexuality, and gender identity. Sometimes it can be bewildering. Sometimes presumptions and even the protective inclinations of others can prove a barrier. Support and information can certainly help. Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT is approaching its 50th anniversary in providing that support, education, clinical services, and a space for conversations in the Canberra Region. In thi...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 3
We have recently launched an exciting project at AFI. The Canberra Disability Review is a quarterly online magazine that reflects the breadth of experiences, perspectives, policy impacts, and concerns of people with disability in the Canberra Region. Our first edition, for Autumn, was launched last week and can be found at: » Canberra Disability Review (advocacyforinclusion.org) If you, or someone you know, is interested in contributing to the review then please pitch your idea to: cdr@advocacyf...
May 18, 2022•2 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Guardianship has been in the headlines recently. In this podcast we will explore what guardianship is, why it happens, how a guardian is appointed, and what are the things guardians are meant to do and what are limits are applied to the scope of what they can do. This podcast is recorded in the ACT so the references are to the local legislation related to guardians. If you live in another state or territory it is good to check on the local legislation and processes that are operating in your are...
Mar 30, 2022•24 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this podcast we will reflect on four simple points about self-advocacy. The work of self-advocacy, communicating what matters to us and what is OK and not OK in our lives, is ongoing. It isn't always easy particularly when it feel likes nothing we say or do can make a difference. In our reflection we will think about those feelings that tell when circumstances are not OK, the powerful truth that we have rights and also responsibilities, the value of our message and our individual way of commu...
Dec 07, 2021•17 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this interview, with Dr Lisa Stafford, we explore what we mean when we talk about inclusion, the power and inequities involved in design and planning, and creative approaches that have connected with the views and perspectives of young people with disability. Dr Lisa Stafford is an Inclusive Communities Researcher and a Community Planner, with 20 years’ experience in the field of disability, inclusion and the built environment. Lisa has worked in government, NGO and university settings and ha...
Sep 21, 2021•43 min•Season 3Ep. 7
People who are carers, in our community, are a diverse group of individuals. Some have found themselves in a carer role in abrupt and unexpected circumstances. Some are caring while negotiating the challenges of childhood and adolescence. Their daily commitment makes a profound difference for the person they support and yet they are often unrecognised in our society. In this podcast we have a conversation with Lisa Kelly, CEO of Carers ACT, about the experience and concerns of carers in our comm...
Aug 31, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this podcast we catch up with Nicolas Lawler and discuss issues related to the present lockdown in the ACT, the impact it is having on some people with disability in the community, and also concerns related to support services and vaccination. We refer to Easy English resources in the podcast. Here are the links: Easy-English-COVID-Words.pdf (advocacyforinclusion.org) When-Can-I-Leave-the-House-EE-Updated-16-August-2021.pdf (advocacyforinclusion.org) If you are a person with disability living...
Aug 25, 2021•11 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode we had the opportunity to explore co-design with Kelly Ann McKercher. Kelly Ann is a design expert and author of the book "Beyond Sticky Notes: Co-design for Real: Mindsets, Methods, and Movements." Our conversation considered what authentic co-design looks like, the methods that can be used to engage the wisdom of people with lived experience, and the points of resistance that Kelly Ann has encountered when presenting co-design ideas to organisations. Further information about c...
Aug 05, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The call for disability advocacy services has increased throughout the Covid era. Many individuals, in our community, face complex challenges and disabling barriers, and without advocacy support they have to find a way their forward alone. Nicolas Lawler, CEO of Advocacy for Inclusion, joins us to discuss the challenges of these times when increasing community need meets underfunded advocacy services. We also discuss the lessons that can be learnt from the experience of the Covid era and the mer...
Apr 21, 2021•23 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode we interview ACT Disability Minister Emma Davidson. Our conversation covers a range of issues including the possible changes to the NDIS system that have been flagged, the relationship between state, territory and federal governments in relation to these possible changes, how the ACT Greens aim of "building a better normal" relates to people with disability and the complex challenges they negotiate, and the changes that are occurring in relation to the roll-out of the Covid-19 va...
Apr 12, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The Federal Government has signaled changes to the NDIS system. The upcoming introduction of compulsory independent assessors has been met with significant concern among people with disability and their supporters. Stacy Reese joins us in this podcast to explain what we know about the upcoming changes and why they are of concern to many in the community. Support the show
Mar 21, 2021•36 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Advocacy for Inclusion had a great range of guests on our Staying Connected podcast during the challenges of 2020. Our conversations ranged from discussing how to maintain mental health and find safety from domestic violence, the ongoing work of the Disability Royal Commission, and emerging insights that came to the fore as the year continued through key reports. In this episode we revisit some key moments in our conversations with our podcast guests. Support the show...
Nov 22, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 19
COVID-19 has brought a lot of challenges to how we live and work, for people with disability we know there have been extra challenges. Advocacy organisations, like AFI, have been inundated with calls for support over the last 6 months of the pandemic. In this podcast, we talk to CEO of Advocacy for Inclusion Nicolas Lawler, about what it is like to provide advocacy during this time, and how we are learning to better support people in our community. Support the show...
Sep 03, 2020•35 min•Season 2Ep. 18
The value of the community sector becomes most apparent in challenging times when communities are faced with hardship when individuals are most vulnerable. It's the community sector that steps in to listen and advocate to support and rebuild, to call for greater justice and reform to promote a fairer and more inclusive society. In this episode, we talk with Dr Emma Campbell, CEO of ACTCOSS, the Peak body for social services in the ACT. We talk about what is, and what isn't working in government ...
Aug 24, 2020•34 min•Season 2Ep. 17
When physical schools have closed down, and education has gone online the challenges have proven all the greater in the homes of children and young people with disability. In this episode, we speak with Mary Sayers CEO of Children and Young People with Disability about their most recent report: "Not even remotely fair: Experiences of students with disability during COVID-19" Read the full report here: https://www.cyda.org.au/resources/details/172/not-even-remotely-fair-experiences-of-students-wi...
Aug 14, 2020•36 min•Season 2Ep. 16
DISABILITY SUPPORT WORKERS: THE FORGOTTEN WORKFORCE IN COVID-19 describes the findings from a national survey of 357 disability support workers (DSWs) conducted online between May and June 2020. In this episode, Rob discusses the results of this survey and that doing the right thing by people with disability means doing the right thing by people who support them. You can read the report here: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-events/disability-support-workers-and-covid-19-findings-from-our-s...
Aug 05, 2020•13 min•Season 2Ep. 15
We are living in a time when decisions are being made that we would not have imagined possible 12 months ago. This is a time when human rights are quite appropriately on many people's radar. In this podcast, we revisit what are Human Rights and what that means for all of us in the time of COVID-19. Support the show
Jul 22, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Today we speak to the ACT Minister for Disability Suzanne Orr. We cover the ACT Disability Strategy and the roadmap to recovery, and how people with disability will be supported throughout the recovery. Show links: Canberra Relief Network: https://canberrarelief.com.au/ Canberra Roadmap to Recovery: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/community/canberra-recovery#:~:text=02)%206205%200900.-,Canberra's%20Recovery%20Plan%3A%20Community%20Recovery%20Roadmap,hail%20and%20now%20COVID%2D19.&text=The%20P...
Jul 01, 2020•31 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Today we speak with Mary Sayers, CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) about their 'more than isolated report'. Children and Young People with Disability Australia launched a survey in the early days of COVID-19 in Australia. It was a survey focused on finding out how children and young people with disability were experiencing the world of COVID-19 and the challenges, changes and disruptions that we've been through and are still going through. The survey results becam...
Jun 24, 2020•30 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Today the Interim Report into Ann-Marie Smith's death has been released. In this episode, Rob speaks with our Senior Policy Advisor, Bonnie Millen about the report, the recommendations and how the system needs to change to prevent tragedies like Ann-Marie Smith's death happening again. If you think or know abuse is going on, you need to report it. It is everyone’s responsibility to create a safe community. Below is a list of ACT and national organisations that you can call. Who you can call: The...
Jun 17, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 11
The ACT Government has just released a Covid-19 Disability Strategy. In this episode, we discuss the main points of the strategy. "The ACT Government has heard the concerns of Canberrans with disability and the disability sector and acknowledges that people with disability may face a range of additional and unique challenges and risks, during the COVID-19 health emergency." You can read the strategy here: https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/covid-19-community-service-information/act-covid-1...
May 28, 2020•8 min•Season 2Ep. 10
We are joined today by Kate Eastman Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission. Kate is a barrister with a significant background as an advocate for human rights and won the 2019 Human Rights Law Award. We discuss the Royal Commission and how it is continuing during Covid-19. You can find out more about the Disability Royal Commission on their website: https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/ or by calling 1800 517 199 You can email us at podcast@advocacyforinclusion.org Support the show...
May 19, 2020•44 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Recently AFI released a survey on how people are finding Covid-19 (thank you to everyone who participated!). Today we talk to the results of that survey that tells us the story of what is working and not working for people with disability during Covid-19. Do you have a topic for our next podcast? Email us at podcast@advocacyforinclusion.org Support the show
May 14, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this episode we look back on all the topics we have covered, and why its important to still be connected. Advocacy for Inclusion: 02 6257 4005 or info@advocacyforinclusion.org or Podcast@advocacyforinclusion.org Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 Your Story Disability Legal Support:1800 77 1800 Blueknot Counseling service: 1800 421 468 Lifeline:13 11 14 DVCS 02 62 800 900 Support the show
Apr 29, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode, we talk with AFI Advocate Roslyn who is helping people to tell their stories to the Disability Royal Commission. The Disability Royal Commission has suspended all face to face hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic but you can still tell your story. This episode tells you about the Disability Royal Commission, the role of advocacy and how you can be involved. Find out more about the Disability Royal Commission: https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/ Advocacy for Inclusion: 02...
Apr 22, 2020•19 min•Season 26Ep. 6
At AFI we know that when we stay home we are not always in a safe place. In today's podcast, we talk to the CEO of DVCS Sonia Di Mezza about domestic and family violence, what it is and where you can go for help. You can contact DVCS at any time on 02 6280 0900 You can also contact the 1800 Respect the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Counselling Service anytime on 1800 737 732. If any of the subject matter in today's podcast upset you please consider calling Lifeline on 13 11 14 0r Be...
Apr 17, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In our last podcast, we talked to Paul North. Paul is a Canberra psychologist. We talked to Paul to get some helpful advice about how to stay mentally healthy. Paul had a lot of helpful advice about things we can do to help ourselves feel safe and OK. His advice was so helpful we decided to do this podcast so we can talk about some of that advice in a really simple and easy to understand way Support the show
Apr 03, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 4
