ABC features content for, by and about Australians living with disability

More than 50 Australians living with disability will have their stories seen and heard across the ABC to mark International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) tomorrow.

The ABC has once again partnered with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the 4.4 million Australians living with disability.

The partnership contributes to the placement of 50 short-term positions within the ABC for people with disability to host and co-host television and radio programs and to have their content featured across all ABC websites, radio, social media, television and ABC iview. Content highlights will feature across all ABC

platforms to 10 December.  The partnership also funds the ABC Regional Storyteller Scholarship, which provides work experience each year for two content makers with a lived experience of disability. The scholarship opens for 2022 applications tomorrow.

 Outgoing Director of ABC NEWS and the Executive Sponsor of ABC Inclusive, Gaven Morris, said the ABC was leading the way in amplifying the voices of people with disability, so their experiences could be shared with all Australians.

“As a direct result of the work of the staff-led group, ABC Inclusive, and the funding made available by the DSS, the ABC is presenting our largest and most diverse range of content made for, by and about people with disability.”

Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, said the partnership provided an opportunity for Australians with disability to have their unique voices heard, while inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

“Our aim with this program is to help break down barriers and allow content makers with disability to participate and thrive in their chosen pursuits,” Minister Ruston said.

Content highlights include curated collections on ABC iview and ABC listen; co-hosted programs on ABC Radio and ABC NEWS digital and video articles.

ReFrame,  which showcases the diversity of disability, returns to ABC TV from 2.00pm tomorrow (Friday 3 December) and then on ABC iview and features the story of Angel Dixon, whose work centres around activism and research and not being defined by her disability.  Producer, Meret Hassanan, said ReFrame had been a wonderful and rewarding opportunity to tell unique stories. “I hope that ReFrame shows audiences that disability is not one-size-fits-all,” she said.