To-day is the International Day of People with Disability. The theme is Sustainable development: the promise of technology

This is   a timely and important post excerpted from Carly Findlay's blog.  

Please go here to get the full post.

 

The state (and importance) of disability media.

Today is International Day of People with Disability. 

(I'm pictured with the amazing Quippings crew - a disability performance group.)

The theme of this year's Disability Day is 

'Sustainable development: the promise of technology'.

About a month ago I was recognised as a finalist in the Yooralla Media Awards for this piece.

Last week I declined my award. I couldn't accept it knowing what happened to people in the organisation's care and workplace.

As a writer with a disability, and knowing one of the victims, this just wouldn't be right.

The safety and dignity of those in care is where my values lie.

(And I also recognise the majority of ethical, dedicated employees and good work of this organisation and others facing similar allegations. Furthermore, I am still proud to be recognised by these independent judges.)

However, I maintain disability media and the recognition of such media through awards is so important. Whether it be disabled media makers, or media about disability, stories need to be told. This latest case highlights just important it is. I hope that Australia can run independent disability media awards through The Media and Arts Alliance or the Walkley Awards in the future.
I am scared for the future of disability media. There's very little mainstream media about disability, and what is shown is often inspiration porn. It's focussed on overcoming obstacles and even glamourising illness in Hollywood (see this article about The Fault in Our Stars - a book and movie which I loved).