Using the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in North America

A young, fair-skinned woman posing with Spiderman in front of a brick wall with colourful spider web stencils on it. The young woman is grinning and both are posed with the classic Spiderman web slinging fists.

“I couldn’t help but laugh that such a tiny airport was willing to take the time to train their staff in this program, but the big airports couldn’t be bothered.” – Ashleigh Keating writes about her experiences using the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard in North America.

Ableist Media Myths

Breaking news banner with breaking crossed out and Abelist in red text above it.

As a disabled young person, it’s heartbreaking to be bombarded by media that perpetuates ableist attitudes and myths. Especially with the recent federal budget, it’s awful to see headlines that paint people like me as a burden to society or a drain on the economy. I am writing this reflection to disrupt the normalised ableist narrative and bust the media myths that perpetuate it.

New funding for Disability Advocacy

Two women in professional attire at what appears to be a conference (there are people milling about behind them wearing lanyards, and chairs lined up in neat rows). The women are holding yellow children's books and speaking animatedly to each other. The woman on the left has shoulder length blonde hair and is wearing a black dress with a silk scarf. She has distinctive thick black glasses. The woman on the right (recognisable as Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth MP), has curly auburn hair and wears a cream suit.

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth MP, has announced an increase in funding for 17 Disability Representative Organisations – including Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).

How having an existing disability has impacted a secondary diagnosis

The Children and Young People with Disability logo in a speech bubble with an icon of a hand holding a heart.

I was at school, and there was an expectation that I get on with my studies and put aside any internal struggles related to my disability. So, in a sense, I kind of skipped past the grief stage and was forced to accept it without having time to comprehend what was happening to me.

Navigating self-care with disability and chronic pain

landscape view in the foreground with a blue lake and mountains in the background.

I got myself surrounded with a network of support. Friends that I could trust, support groups that I could talk to without feeling ashamed. These were the people that motivated me to care for myself and reminded me that I was not alone on this personal journey.