Stories by and about Australians with disability to feature across all ABC platforms – From November 19 to December 10, the ABC has partnered with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to recognise the 5.5 million Australians living with disability.
Through this partnership, 20 short-term positions have been created at the ABC for people with disability to have their content featured across ABC websites, radio, social media, television, and ABC iview. Content highlights will be featured across all ABC platforms until December 10.
One of the content creators working with the ABC is comedian, actor and advocate Loz Booth.
Loz has teamed up with ABC Sport and Play School to create a series of social media reels recognising the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). Loz is creating and appearing in four videos filmed on the set of Play School, pushing the boundaries of representation on Australian screens. The content will be featured on ABC Kids Instagram, ABC Kids YouTube and ABC Kids Community Facebook. For ABC Sport, Loz is producing a humorous social video exploring why a lot of para sports aren’t inclusive.
“Working across ABC Sport and Play School has been such an amazing opportunity,”
– Loz said.
“Each showed me a completely different side of content creation, from seeing Play School’s production come to life from script to shoot, to learning how ABC Sport develops and crafts engaging stories. It’s been an incredible experience that’s taught me new skills and given me a real appreciation for the creative process which I’ll take with me into the future.”
Other highlights include ABC IDPwD Storyteller Scholarship recipients, former Paroos player Taylor Harvey and visual artist Mark du Potiers creating original content for ABC Sport and ABC News Queensland.
For the first time in the ABC’s program history, five content creators are also presenting across ABC TV and local radio, further expanding representation on-air.
The ABC is also continuing to produce special programs including Compass’ Intimate Access with comedian Madeleine Stewart. Madeleine often gets asked by strangers: how do you have sex? So, she’s asking other disabled people and their partners to spill the tea on love, lust and everything in between.
ABC International is once again mentoring two elite sportswomen with disability to produce audio and digital packages for ABC Pacific and ABC Asia. Stay tuned for content from Bocce champion Bernadette Lim from the Philippines, and wheelchair table tennis gold medallist Mere Roden from Fiji. Mere will interview para-athlete Selina Seau for the ABC Pacific’s Fresh off the Field program. The ABC’s National Disability Affairs Reporter Nas Campanella and ABC Sports journalist and paralympic medallist Elizabeth Wright are also hosting an online seminar on inclusivity and diversity for journalists across the Indo-Pacific.
The ABC is also a sponsor of the Disability Leadership Institute’s annual Disability Leadership Oration, featuring AstroAccess Ambassador Dwayne Fernandes, who has set his sights on becoming the first double amputee in space.
The event was held at Canberra’s National Archive on November 24 and will air nationally on ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas program on January 22.
ABC Director, News, Justin Stevens, said the ABC is proud to once again support International Day of People with Disability.
“This year, 22 content creators are working alongside ABC teams to produce a range of stories across our platforms,”
– he said.
“In addition, Maddison Fogarty is collaborating with the ABC’s Takeover program to run storytelling workshops for young people with disability, helping to develop the next generation of storytellers.”
“This year five of our IDPwD content creators are presenting on ABC TV and local radio, not just producing content, showcasing their talent and sharing their stories directly with audiences. These collaborations are redefining how disability is represented in the media and demonstrate the ABC’s ongoing commitment to amplifying diverse voices.”
Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for the NDIS reaffirmed the vital role the IDPwD partnership plays in amplifying the lived stories and experience of Australians with disability.
“When we see diverse stories in our media, they challenge stereotypes, shift attitudes and affirm that Australians with a disability are equal participants in our society.
“These are great initiatives that will be broadcast across ABC platforms. They show honest and authentic perspectives of peoples lived experiences. “
Media Release – ABC
Link to ABC iview HERE
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Stories by and about Australians with disability to feature across all ABC platforms
