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 …

Dementia Action Week

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighbourhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or …

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 …