A Reader’s Life: Looking Back at 2022 and Ahead for 2023

It’s that time of year again when readers like to conduct their annual reading review. This is where we look back over the previous reading year, analyse our data (for those of us who keep stats) and think about our reading goals for the coming year. Goal setting and data analysis sound like serious business. …

Remembering Louis Braille

On this day in 1809, Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, just 20 miles from Paris. If it hadn’t been for an accident in his father’s leather and harness shop, when Louis was aged three, the world would probably have never known the name of Louis Braille and we wouldn’t be remembering his legacy as …

Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All

On this day in 1948, almost 75 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was first proclaimed. Prompted by the atrocities of World War Two, the UDHR was a significant undertaking for an international community that had never agreed on anything before, let alone a set of common values that established a benchmark …

International Day of People with Disability

Every year on December 3rd we see a flurry of activity in the media about the International Day of People with Disability. There will also be a burst of activity on the various days devoted to specific disabilities such as Autism and Down Syndrome, but as Kurt Fearnley, Australian paralympian and new CEO of the …

Disability is a Blessing Too

The Australian Federal Election campaign is now in full swing and "Scotty from Ableism" has lit up the internet because he is “blessed” to not have “children with disabilities.” Understandably parents with children who have disabilities and the rest of the disability community are shocked and outraged. What does that make us? The Cursed Ones?? …

World Down Syndrome Day

Do you know anyone with Down syndrome? We do. One of my closest friends has a daughter with Down syndrome. Jess is now 23 and she lives here in Toowoomba in her own unit with the support that she needs. We have known Jess for just over 20 years now. She likes to dress up …

Dylan Alcott – Australian of the Year and Totally Able

Don’t worry if you have a disability. I don’t care that I’m in a wheelchair - in fact, I love it. Go to work with what you’ve got. I live the best life ever. Please get out there and enjoy life. Even though it’s a bit different, being different is definitely good. This week Dylan …

2021 – A Reading Year in Review

The first days of the New Year are a time for reflection. We look back on the year that has been and look towards the year that has opened. We might take stock of the state of our health, family life and working prospects. We might identify some new life or career goals. Or perhaps …

Accessible Housing Benefits Everyone

Image by Anastasiia Chepinska - Unsplash “We all aspire to have our own homes, we all aspire to be independent, and we all aspire to live in a safe environment.” (David Blower, Endeavour Foundation) Today is the International Day of People with Disabilities, one of the most important days of the year for the disability …

Carers Week 2021 – Millions of Reasons to Care

“Carers are an essential part of our health system. They are the foundation of our aged, disability, palliative, and community care systems.” Every year 2.65 million Australian carers perform 2.2 billion hours of unpaid care. There are many reasons why a person may become a carer - disability, mental illness, chronic conditions, terminal illness and …