Stories

Read stories about lived experience with disability and IDPwD events.

Are you interested in sharing your story with the community?

Find out more about sharing your personal story or sharing your IDPwD event story.

30 results
  • Disability at Dusk for IDPwD

    The Southern Region Disability Alliance (SRDA) recognised IDPwD by co-hosting Disability at Dusk. It took place on 27 November 2025 at Myuna Farm in Melbourne’s south-east. Nearly 1,000 community members came together to enjoy an accessible, inclusive and welcoming event.
  • Recognising IDPwD through dance

    Para and Ability Dance Western Australia (PADWA) is a charity that provides inclusive dance opportunities for people with disability.
  • From patient to pioneer: Dr Nikhil Autar

    When Dr. Nikhil Autar was named the 2024 NSW Young Australian of the Year, he was stunned. The nomination came as a surprise – “likely from my mum,” he joked.
  • Whole and powerful

    Killian is a rare disease advocate from rural Queensland. We asked Killian about his life, and what’s it’s like living with complex and invisible disability.
  • Joey finds joy in the disability community

    Joey, 24, is a youth advocate for disability, chronic illness and mental health. Through their advocacy, Joey shares their challenges and joy as a person with disability.
  • Skye Cusack

    Skye is more than that, though. At the age of 27, she has founded her own creative advocacy agency, is working with Magabala Books to publish her debut novel, has her own podcast, and is also a reporter for the ABC.
  • Suzanne’s Superpower

    ‘I go by the motto. Just do it. Every day that’s what I’m thinking, just do it.’
  • Emily’s Journey

    In the bustling halls of the United Nations in New York stood many advocates from around the world. They were attending the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP17) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • Life’s a song for Ria

    Singer, ABC Classic Digital Producer and bushwalking enthusiast Ria is passionate about music.
  • James runs into history

    Paralympian, gold medallist and award-winner, James Turner, is quick to point out that he is a fraternal twin.

  • Emily’s ride to the top

    In the ‘cycle’ of life, Emily has experienced both incredible successes and incredible challenges.

  • Margherita’s United Nations adventure

    Margherita describes herself as a young woman, migrant and queer, with physical disability. She’s also a student, currently studying law at the Australian National University.
  • Tim’s trailblazing path

    Tim is the first ever Australian to land a wheelchair backflip, which he achieved in 2016. That’s quite a feat, but it’s just one facet of this talented occupational therapy student and professional wheelchair motocross (WCMX*) rider from Holmview in Queensland.
  • Doctor of many talents

    Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM works at the Gold Coast University Hospital in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country, and he loves his job.
  • Lily raises her voice

    Softly spoken 19-year-old Lily has been on quite the journey ever since she decided to enter the ABC’s Heywire competition to tell her story.
  • Maddie’s passion for inclusion

    Vibrant Maddie makes every minute count, whether she is studying, cooking, walking, listening to music or spending time with friends.
  • Troy’s Canberra to Sydney journey

    Troy Sachs OAM celebrated International Day of People with Disability 2021, or what he referred to as “the greatest day of the year apart from Christmas”, by going for a jog.