Sean and Kerrie McArdle, Community Educators, Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW.

The history of people with disabilities in Australia is about understanding and celebrating the diversity which exists among Australians.

In the past one hundred years we have come a long way towards recognising the rights of all individuals. We all have hopes, dreams, disappointments and achievements.

We need to be able to express these things in our own unique way and to make choices about our lives no matter what we are like physically, intellectually or emotionally.

With dramatic changes in attitudes towards people with disabilities over the last few decades and the influence of such organisations as the United Nations, we are learning to focus on abilities rather than disabilities and to avoid labelling each other because of the way we are.

Our language is changing to positively reflect these things and our Governments have instituted laws to ensure that we will all have access to the same opportunities, the same services and benefits within the community.

The last few decades have brought about significant changes in education, employment and technology for people with disabilities. People with disabilities are able to participate more fully in all aspects of community life and to advocate for change.
Sporting achievements have been celebrated both locally and internationally, while diversity in all its forms has been expressed through the arts.

Australia formally became a nation in 1901. Through this resource we look at our history over the last hundred years in relation to people with disabilities - where we have come from, the changes we have witnessed and our hopes for the future.

You are invited to explore, to learn and to contribute to our history, our nation.

My Dream a poem by by Judith Geppert, 2001

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