Hayden McDonald, from Esperance in WA, has been told he cannot follow his dream of becoming a commercial pilot due to being autistic.
The 21-year-old, who has already smashed many preconceptions about what can be achieved by someone who is autistic, will not take no for an answer.
Hayden is preparing for a solo circumnavigation of Australia in an ultra-light aircraft to change hearts and minds – and hopefully his future.
His engaging story Wings Without Barriers is one of many produced for, by and about people living with disability to be broadcast across the ABC in coming days to mark International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
The ABC has once again partnered with the Department of Social Services to recognise and celebrate the 4.4 million Australians living with disability.
The partnership contributes to the placement of 35 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 ABC websites, radio, social media, television and ABC iview. Content highlights will feature across all ABC platforms to 10 December.
Key programs include the feature-length documentary Ride, which tells the story of BMX champions Sam and Alise Willoughby and Sam’s climb back to becoming a world champion after a devastating accident; a collection of stories on ABC iview that highlight diversity and perspectives from people with disability; and three newly commissioned programs from ABC ME’s DisRupted series, which showcase some of Australia’s emerging content makers with disability. ABC News will also have a live blog from 11.30am tomorrow run by people with disability. You can follow the blog at abc.net.au/news.
Acting Head of ABC Indigenous, Diversity & Inclusion, Gavin Fang, said the ABC’s support for International Day of People with Disability continued to grow with this year’s offering the largest and most diverse to date.
“The ABC is committed to giving people with disability a voice and to give content makers living with disability opportunity, not just at this time of year, but throughout the year.”
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the partnership not only provides valuable employment opportunities for people with disability, but also elevates and showcases individual stories and experiences.
“Recognising and sharing the voices of the lived experiences of people with disability is critical to challenging attitudes and assumptions about disability and will help to break down barriers in our society.”
The partnership also funds the ABC Regional Storyteller Scholarship, an early-career program for two content makers with lived experience of disability, living in regional Australia. Applications for the 2023 Regional Storyteller Scholarship are now open. Further information is available at: regionalstorytellerscholarship@abc.net.au.
