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As the world marks International Day of People with Disability and reflects on its pertinent theme – amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future – leaders within the Australian Paralympic Movement are calling for out-dated views on inclusion in decision-making to change.
The most common misconception about inclusion and diversity in leadership is that it’s a concession rather than an opportunity. However, Paris 2024 Australian Paralympic Team co-captain Curtis McGrath and Paralympics Australia Athlete Commission Chair Sarah Stewart want better understanding about the value of varied perspectives within decision-making circles.
“The ideas and views people with a disability bring to the table should be seen as an asset to everybody,” said Stewart, a three-time Paralympic wheelchair basketball medallist and co-author of Paralympics Australia’s recently published Universal Design Guide.
“When people with a disability are trying to find a solution to something we’re facing, it often makes it better for everyone. For instance, if we find a solution for how someone with a wheelchair can get in the door, then it may end up being better for parents with prams or for people making deliveries with carts.
“If we find a solution for making a document more accessible for people with a vision impairment, it often makes it easier for everyone to read because you might be using a new or different technology that benefits lots of people.
“When you look at it from that perspective, it’s important to have diversity of experience at any table because it makes the outcomes of decision-making stronger and more relevant to everybody.”
Stewart, who uses a wheelchair, points out that one in five Australians has a disability. Impairments and people’s experiences living with them vary greatly. Such knowledge is of great value when designing infrastructure, such as transport, stadiums and buildings.
“People with disability often have to find really well thought out solutions to lots of things in life, which means they have good thinking skills and a strong understanding of being collaborative in coming to solutions,” Stewart said.
“The reality is, if you’re not making things accessible, you’re locking out a whole group of people. And, if you’re not including people with a disability in leadership positions, you’re not truly reflecting society.
“It’s the same if you don’t see women across an organisation, or people of colour or other diversity; people will see that there’s an issue with the culture of the organisation that needs to be addressed.”
Four-time Paralympic canoe gold medallist, McGrath, said it was important to better appreciate the advantages that come from having people with lived experience of disability in leadership positions, particularly regarding the upcoming Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The Games in 2032 are only for a few weeks, but the venues and other Games legacies will be there for decades,” McGrath said.
“If we want to do it right, we need to do it from the beginning and not have to retrofit something or bolt something to the side – ramps and toilets and whatever else. It just increases costs.
“Make it for all, including people with a disability, and the advantages will be there for everyone’s benefit.”
By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.
Published 3 December, 2024.
