By Catia Malaquias
On 22 June 2013 we established Starting With Julius – an organisation dedicated to advocating for the human rights of people with disability without fear or favour, within Australia and internationally.
Over the last 10 years we have focussed our advocacy on advancing:
- greater and more authentic representation of people with disability in inclusive advertising and media
- the human right to, and benefits of, inclusive education in regular schools and the need for Governments to phase out segregated ‘special’ education settings
- the full and supported participation of people with disability in open employment and the need for Governments to phase out segregated ‘special’ workshops and subminimum wages
- increasing community awareness of the history of disability in society and its insidious legacy of ableism
While there have been many positive developments in these areas over the last 10 years, much remains to be done.
We have learnt much from many and hope our work has in turn educated and helped others – or at least exposed minds to a different point of view.
We would love to hear what Starting With Julius has meant or means to you. Making a difference is our fuel and the next 10 years is another long ride.
We set out below links to some of our articles and blogs – to some the content will be new to others it will largely be memories.
Thanks again.
INCLUSIVE MEDIA
Julius’ Sisters Doing it for Themselves in Target’s New Christmas Catalogue
Seeing Through the Mirror – ABC 7.30 on “Inclusion” at Condell Park High School
The Media Must Stop Devaluing Disabled Crime Victims
Kmart and Target Inclusive Advertising – Video
Why Kids with Disability Should be Seen and Heard – Inclusion in Media
“Having Disabilities is who we are” – The 8-Year-Old Girl who wants to Change the World
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
What Does “Gatekeeping” Look Like? A Family’s Experience of Being Pushed out of General Education
What’s so “Special”? – Disability Segregation in Education
Inclusion is a Right; Not a Pendulum
3 Myths of “Special Education” – Thoughts for Parents
Choosing Segregated Education – “Parental Choice” or “Parental Concession”?
All our “Practical Tips for Teachers” In One!
OPEN EMPLOYMENT
Time to Stop Defending the Low Ground – Moving from Segregated to Open Employment
Ethical Supply Chains, Disability, Sheltered Workshops, Segregation and Exploitation
Closing Sheltered Workshops – A US Case Study Of Conflicting Interests
“The Hiring Chain” – Coordown’s World Down Syndrome Day Video Campaign
ABLEISM AND CHANGING SOCIETAL ATTITUDES
“He ain’t Special, he’s my Brother” – Time to Ditch the Phrase “Special Needs”
Disrupting Society’s Assumptions About Disability – Coordown’s Viral International Video Campaigns
Transacting Disability – Trading Charity and Compassion for Inspiration and “Warm Glows”?
“Usefulness” is not a Measure of Human Worth – It’s a Dangerous Ideology