Category Disability Action Week Show all
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Disability Action Week 2024 – Accessible communication: connect, include and empower
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🎉 It’s Disability Action Week 2024 (24 Nov – 1 Dec)! This year’s theme is Accessible Communication: Connect, Include, Empower.
Join us in celebrating inclusive communication for everyone! We’re excited to share some of the effective strategies and creative solutions we use at Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, to make communication more accessible for all.
Did you know?
More than 1.3 million people worldwide–including 21.4% of Australians–live with a disability or chronic health condition?
Disability results from the interaction between people with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that impacts full participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Disability: The Statistics
- 16% of the world’s population or over 1.3 billion people experience some form of disability.[1]
- 21.4% of Australians or 5.5 million people experience disability and live with an impairment.[2]
- 7.6% of Australian children <15 experience some form of disability.[3]
- 650,000 people in Australia are active NDIS participants with approved plans.[4]
Accessible Communication for Everyone
Accessible communication is essential for creating a society that connects and includes everyone, regardless of ability. Clear, inclusive communication helps to ensure that information, services, and opportunities are available to all people, breaking down barriers and fostering genuine engagement in every aspect of life.
Consider your Audience
When creating content, consider the divers learning and communication needs of your audience. Accessible technologies and inclusive communication materials are essential to effectively reach and support people with disability, with approximately half of all Australians with disability reported to use some form of aid or assistive device. Further, almost 1 in 10 have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment because of their disability needs.
Accessibility for the d/Deaf and signing community
Approximately 466 million people (or 6.1% of the world’s population) are living with hearing loss. In Australia, one in six people are affected by a variety of forms of hearing loss. There are 30,000 Australian Sign Language (Auslan) users.[5]Some ways of supporting the d/Deaf and the signing community include:
- Use subtitles and captions – preferably live captions where possible
- Use the services of an Auslan interpreter (where needed)
- Provide verbatim transcripts of live events, meetings and events
- Enable technology access
- Facilitate the use of online chats in virtual meetings (as an option) – NB: lipreading, captioning and Auslan interpreting is preferred
- Use digital whiteboards, this is especially helpful in medical settings or emergencies.
Accessibility for blind, low vision and other vision impairments- Use large, scalable, legible fonts – preferably sans serif, upper and lower case, with high contrast such as bold and normal text
- Avoid the use of all caps, italics and underline (unless a hyperlink)
- Use clear, high contrast colours – use an accessibility colour checker
- Ensure your communication is screen reader accessible
- Use alternative (Alt) text on images and label decorative objects as such
- Use braille where possible, especially on signage in public spaces
- Provide multiple / alternate formats
- Use pattern, texture, shapes and labels rather than colour, especially on graphs, charts and diagrams
- Do not use too much red or colour, just for the sake of using colour – this is not helpful for individuals with low vision or those who are colour blind.
Communication accessibility for mobility disability
- Use accessible spaces and conduct site visits where possible
- Offer hands-free options such as lapel microphones
- Offer multiple formats e.g. print, written, audio, video and digital, depending on your target audience and their requirements
- Use assistive technologies such as speech-to-text, eye-tracking systems, adaptive keyboards, headsets and mounted devices.
Cognitive considerations
- Visual Aids – Provide visual aids, step-by-step instructions, or prompts for individuals with cognitive impairments
- Be Patient – Be patient with slower or non-verbal communicators; confirm understanding with repetition or paraphrasing
- Assistive Technologies – Use apps or devices that facilitate simple, customisable communication (e.g., ACC or communication boards)
- Avoid Special Effects – Avoid the heavy use of effects such as animation, transition, flickering or strobing in multimedia
- Use Plain Language – Use plain, straightforward language to reduce cognitive load for individuals with brain injury / processing difficulties
- Easy Read & Visual Aids – Incorporate gestures, visual aids and easy read formats to supplement standard verbal and written communication.
Design for equal access
By embracing accessible designs and tools, we create environments where everyone has equal opportunities to connect, understand, and participate fully.- Design for accessibility and inclusion
- Use inclusive language
- Apply universal design principals
- Embrace co-design
- Test your content
- Facilitate inclusion training for your staff.
Our Commitment at Inclusive Futures and The Hopkins Centre
At Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre at Griffith University, we’re dedicated to leading the way in accessible practices. Here’s a look at some of the ways we’re advancing inclusion and accessibility:- Developing research on communication access and tools to support diverse needs, including our new Inclusive Events Checklist.
- Integrating inclusive communication into all research projects, translation and dissemination, for example Voice of Queenslanders with Disability, ARC Adjudicating Rights for a Sustainable National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Partnership to understand Indigenous experiences of CTP.
- Hosting inclusive events and workshops, which seek to lead from the front and by example – for example our recent Hopkins Centre Bold Ideas Better Solutions Symposium and Inclusive Futures: Winning Medals with Equity and Diversity Symposium, Book Club Events and our successful Inclusivity in Play Pitch Festival.
- Engaging in projects that drive innovation in assistive communication technologies, including:
- We offer partnerships, consultation, resources, and training to support organisations in developing inclusive practices. Our programs are led by co-designers with lived experience of disability through initiatives like the Dignity Project and Inclusive Voices. Additionally, we equip the next generation of citizen researchers through our Citizen Researcher Essentials: A Short Course.
Together, we are building a world where everyone can connect, be included, and feel empowered. Discover how you can integrate accessible communication practices into your workplace, starting with small, impactful steps.
Thank you for committing to a future where communication is accessible to all.
MORE INFORMATIONFor more information, collaborate or to partner with us in creating inclusive accessible content, research, projects or events, please email: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au or hopkinscentre@griffith.edu.au
REFERENCES[1] The World Health Organisation, 2024.
[2] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022.
[3] Queensland Government, 2024.
[4] NDIS, 2024.
[5] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022.
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Karin Swift: Advocating Quietly, Leading Boldly
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In the mosaic of accomplished alumni from Griffith University, Karin Swift (M Human Services ’99) emerges as a quiet force in the disability, advocacy, and social policy sectors. Since graduating from Griffith, she has woven an impactful career, leaving a positive imprint on the field of disability rights.
Karin currently serves as the President of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), a human rights organisation focused on the concerns of women with disability. Her journey, however, extends beyond this role, involving various governance positions for non-government organisations. Recently elected to the Board of the Community Resource Unit, Karin contributes to fostering positive change for people with disability.
A pivotal point in Karin's career was her representation of the Australian Government and WWDA at the Commission on the Status of Women 57 (CSW 57) at the United Nations in New York. There, she offered strategic advice on women with disability and violence, showcasing her expertise on the international stage. Karin's commitment to breaking barriers is evident in her leadership role at WWDA, where she has conducted training sessions in Indonesia and South Korea on gender and disability, contributing to the global conversation on eliminating violence.
Karin has held influential positions at Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), providing strategic high-level advice and facilitating member engagement on various disability issues and social policies. Her contributions were vast, across many portfolios including human rights, gender issues, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Disability Royal Commission, housing, transport, welfare reform, and employment.
This year, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability at Griffith University proudly appointed Karin as an Industry Fellow, recognising her valuable experience in the field. In addition to this significant achievement, Karin has recently accomplished the ‘Citizen Researcher Essentials: A Short Course’ micro-credential.
Operating as an independent contractor working mostly from home, Karin redefined her career path in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and her own health issues. This adjustment allows her to select projects that genuinely interest her and contribute to the disability space without feeling the pressure of the 9-5 grind.
Karin's typical week now is as diverse as her career, reflecting her commitment to various initiatives. From contributing to university research on the lives of people with disability to participating in Disability Action Week events, Karin's schedule is a testament to her passion for fostering positive change. This fortnight, she is actively engaged in a website co-design group meeting, supporting residents of Level 3 Supported Accommodation facilities, attending peer leader meetings at QDN, contributing to a Queensland Government project, participating in QDN's LGBTIQA+ peer group, and chairing WWDA's AGM during this AGM season.
In a world where change is often gradual, Karin Swift's story serves as a reminder that every small victory, every voice raised, contributes to a larger narrative of progress. As a proud graduate of Griffith University, Karin continues to inspire and lead, demonstrating that education is not just a means to an end but a catalyst for transformative change. Her flexible and purpose-driven approach to work serves as a positive example for others navigating the evolving landscape of the professional world and a reminder to employers of the benefits of an inclusive work culture and environment.
Find out more about the Citizen Researcher Essentials Course by emailing: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au
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International Day of People with Disability 2023 – Matt Levy: From Premature Birth to Paralympic Gold
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International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations observed day held on 3 December each year. The IDPwD program aligns with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31 and aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
The United Nations Theme for IDPwD 2023 is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’ This year, we introduce IDPwD Ambassador, Matt Levy OAM, Patron of the Matt Levy Inclusive Futures Scholarship at Griffith University.
In 1987, Matt Levy was born prematurely at 25 weeks. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe visual impairment and has undergone 40-50 surgeries on various vital organs. Matt's determination and resilience led him to a career in swimming, where he proudly clinched gold for Australia at the Paralympic Games.
Representing his nation at five consecutive Paralympic Games, Matt has won 3 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze medals. His dominance extends further, having graced the pools at five World Swimming Championships, securing an 20 international medals and holding 4 World Records.
Matt’s contributions to sport were honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2014 for ‘service to sport as a Gold Medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. In 2015 Matt was named Athlete of the Year with a Disability at the New South Wales Sports Awards and in 2018 he was named Swimming Australia’s Paralympic Program Swimmer of the Year. In November 2021, he received a New South Wales Institute of Sport Academic Excellence Award and was named the 2021 Sport NSW Athlete of the Year with a Disability.
Yet, Matt's achievements aren't confined to the pool. He has earnt a degree in Business Management, an Australian Institute of Company Directors qualification, and an MBA in Leadership. He is a passionate inclusion advocate, motivational speaker and holds multiple board, advisory and ambassadorial roles with sporting, community and humanitarian organisations including Ability Options, Life Little Treasures and BlindSports Australia.
Since retiring from the pool, Matt has authored 3 books, including: ‘Keeping your head above water’ (2020), ‘Brandon Dreams Big: 7 easy steps to get where you want’ (2021), and ‘Going the distance: Identify and create your own lane to success’ (2023).
More recently, Matt has turned his hand to philanthropy and supporting young people with disability to achieve their own dreams and goals through education.
“Education has allowed me to grow and enhance what I've been able to learn and, how I can use my lived experience of disability to influence others. As part of this, it was also my mission to help other people with disability to obtain a university education.”
To Matt, International Day of People Disability (IDPwD) is “about having a sense of responsibility and belonging. A chance to give people an insight into what we go through on a daily basis. Not to feel bitter, but to help raise awareness of what can be done. I know how hard it is for someone living with a disability, so I wanted to give people opportunities that I was given”.
As a result, Matt established the Matt Levy Inclusive Futures Scholarship to support students with disability to achieve their potential at Griffith University. Open to Australian, domestic commencing students (full time or part time) enrolled in an undergraduate program, the scholarship provides up to $20,000, payable over the duration of the degree.
This year the Matt Levy Scholarship supported two (2) commencing students with disability; including Lilje Schluter, who is studying a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
"Being a recipient of this scholarship has allowed me to afford regular access to psychology and psychiatry sessions. Not only has this greatly aided me in learning and adjusting to my first year of tertiary studies, but the support of the scholarship continues to help me move forward each and every day, which is an invaluable gift".
Matt Levy's life stands as a testament to determination, inspiring individuals worldwide to overcome adversity and achieve goals. On Tuesday, 27 February 2024, Matt will be the guest speaker at our Inclusive Futures Book Club – Author Talk event, where he will share his story, and discuss his latest book ‘Going the Distance’ with students and guests during O-Week (Nathan Campus). If you are interested in attending, please email us at inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au.
You can also sign up for our newsletter, or keep an eye on our website for announcements.
Find out more about our Inclusive Futures Book club:
https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/inclusive-futures-book-club