Many of Australia's four and a half
million people with disabilities
were born with disabilities.
But for others like me,
having a disability is a mere
split second away.
I arrived, by surprise, in a
horse riding accident
on a forest floor, where
I knew straight away
that my life would change.
And now I am part of a community
in the disability sector
of which I am so proud.
People with disabilities
are just a part
and part of the rich fabric
and diversity of Australian society.
But the things that we want
and wish for are that
our human rights
are not denied and that
barriers
to our participation
are removed
or at least reduced as far
as possible.
And one of our major desires
is to have economic security.
And that means having
a secure housing arrangement
and having a job that
enables us to contribute.
Even when we get a good education
trying to get into the workforce
is doubly hard.
And in fact, our employment rates
are at least half of what
the non-disabled
community experiences.
Because of the disadvantage
that we experience.
There are power differentials
that unfortunately mean that
many people with disabilities
have experienced violence and
exploitation and sometimes neglect.
That disadvantage is really
more strongly felt
by women with disabilities
than by men.
And that's why I have devoted
a lot of the past quarter century
to trying to redress the balance.
We need access to education
because without economic security
we can't be contributors.
So for the people in the
disability sector
we continue to strive
to make Australia
a better society.
And I say to our leaders
when we get this right
we will have reduced
the barriers to participation,
and in fact
Australia will be a much
better society overall.
