(Maree Jenner) My big question is...
(James Parr) My big question is...
(Isabella Choate) My big question is...
(Ronan Soussa) Would you rather your disability be seen or hidden?
Oh wow!
I am a blind electrical engineer.
I do inclusion programs in schools.
I'm a model, a disability advocate, and Wiradjuri man.
My pronouns are they/them,
and I am a living experience advocate.
I want to make a difference
for all people with disabilities.
(Santiago Velasquez) And I am an ambassador.
(Isabella Choate) I'm an ambassador.
(Ronan Soussa) I'm an ambassador
for International Day of People with Disability.
- Hello everybody! - Nice to see you.
- I'm keen to get started. - Yeah.
(Olivia Sidhu) 'Would you change anything about your disability?'
That's a good question.
That's a good one.
(Santiago Velasquez) All of the experiences that I have had,
I wouldn't have had if I didn't have this disability.
(Isabella Choate) There's a narrative that people
with disability should wish to be different.
We should wish that we don't have our disabilities.
(Maree Jenner) It's given me such inherent strengths.
(Olivia Sidhu) It's just a part of who I am and who we are.
(James Parr) The only thing I would change is the perception
and the narrative that comes with having a disability.
The portrayal that disability is the worst thing
that could happen to you or it's a bad thing.
Every media that we're exposed to all builds a perception.
Every experience of people with a disability
where we're included, I think will
help rewrite the narrative.
(Santiago Velasquez) The more we can break down the perception that people
with disabilities need to be fixed,
the more we can move forward as a society.
My big question is 'for somebody with your disability,
how has the technology revolution been?'
(James Parr) 'Why do you think the media avoids
showing people with a disability
as sexual or desirable?'
(Isabella Choate) 'Can you give me an example of disabled rage
and disabled joy?'
I think International Day of People with Disability
is a really great opportunity
for the Australian community to consider how we feel
that we’re different and how we feel that we're the same.
(Olivia Sidhu) I am proud of everything that I do.
I am also pretty normal too.
(Ronan Soussa) Do you know what I like to say?
“Different isn't less. Different is necessary.”
(Maree Jenner) Disability, it's the diversity of human nature.
It's the assumptions, often the attitudes that people have.
For some reason we are less
because we are not able to do the things the same way
as everyone else,
but we bring to the table such an interesting group
of skills and talent as a result of our diversity.
My big question is,
'when you look towards the next generation,
what gives you hope for the future?'
(Ronan Soussa) More representation in media,
that's something good for the future.
(Olivia Sidhu) Exposure like this
allows people to learn
to be more inclusive
and accepting of people with disabilities.
(Isabella Choate) Young people who are proudly claiming their disability.
(Maree Jenner) They are much more inclusive and accepting.
(Santiago Velasquez) When I'm walking down the streets
and little kids are genuinely curious. I say to people,
ask questions because if you don't know, you don't know,
but don't put us in a box.
Yes, I'm blind, but some people are tall,
some people are short, some people
are different ethnicities.
We're just another mix in this massive pot
we call the world.
(Ronan Soussa) People with disabilities deserve to be seen,
heard and valued in all spaces.
(Isabella Choate) Disability is a culture.
There is a community and it's beautiful,
and I am proudly disabled.