Disability – Page 4

Paralympics, Disability and Perspective

“The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play” Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of […]

Chemical restraint of people with disabilities and elderly people

By Blair Morris. This article is part of our October theme on disability rights. To read more on this topic, click here. Medicating people with disabilities and elderly people is a contentious issue, particularly in situations that involve aggression. Some experts argue that medication can have a calming effect, and may help to “normalise” the individual. […]

The Development of Disability Rights in Australia

By Holly Kendall. This article is part of our October theme on disability rights. To read more on this topic, click here. Disability isn’t something we like to think about. People with a disability have complex needs that society struggles to meet. There is no magic solution. Disability reminds us that we are vulnerable. Anyone of […]

Black and white photo of a men's wheelchair rugby match

Superhuman: After the Paralympics

By David Donaldson Like many others I was fascinated by the wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics earlier this year. As someone who is basically afraid of sport, I found this fast-paced game strangely intriguing. I realised that, despite being in some way “disabled”, the people I was watching onscreen were far fitter and stronger than […]

Michelle Graeber, Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria CEO

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in Australia and are estimated to affect 1.3 million adults every year. Michelle Graeber has been CEO of the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic) for five years. ARCVic is a non-profit state-wide community mental health organisation that provides support, self-help, recovery and education for people and […]

Man in wheelchair wearing red shirt, in black and white scene

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Explained

This article is part of our October theme on disability rights. To read more on this topic, click here. Several years ago, a family friend suffered a brain aneurysm. A blood vessel in her brain exploded, resulting in a severe haemorrhage. One minute she was taking a cigarette break with her colleagues, the next she was […]

When Horse Became Saw

When Horse Became Saw: Mid-Week Review

By Hanne Watkins. Alex sat clutching his favourite spoon, which had a rocket printed on its chubby handle and small side fins to complete the effect. We were soon having great fun as I guided the cereal into his mouth with the kind of zooming noises fathers are convinced will encourage good coordination. It was […]

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS, TAMIL ASYLUM SEEKER DEPORTED & DISABILITY INSURANCE: THE HUMAN RIGHTS WRAP UP

Government fails on child rights The Australian Human Rights Commission has found that Australia’s treatment of suspected people smugglers who said that they were children has breached international human rights law in a report released on Friday.  The report An age of uncertainty reveal that between 2008 and 2011 Australian authorities gave little consideration to […]