TWO years ago, Williamstown North resident Karen was diagnosed with cerebral palsy quadriplegia and since then her life has not been the same.
The cerebral palsy quadriplegia affects all of her limbs, and she is now dependent on a wheel chair.
A few years ago, Karen was in Ballarat, and children started throwing stones at her because of her disability. She said this made her angry.
But, Karen is not alone with new research from Scope revealing that Australians living with a disability are still feeling excluded from society.
According to the study, the community’s attitude is the biggest problem faced by people with a disability.
The research conducted by disability service provider Scope in partnership with Deakin University clearly shows that Australians with a disability are still excluded from society.
Ninety-four per cent of the respondents to the ‘Scope 1 in 4 Poll’ said they did not have enough meaningful participation in their community, together with 39 per cent of respondents who said that if community attitudes towards disability changed, it would make a big difference to their lives.
Karen said people, especially children needed to be educated about those with a disability.
“Just because I can’t walk or talk as good as you, don’t think or treat me as if I am not normal,” Karen said.
According to chief executive officer of Scope, Jennifer Fitzgerald, the research suggests that the lives of people with a disability would improve if the community was more inclusive.
“People with a disability are among the most marginalised of our population,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“And this social exclusion is a breach of their basic human rights as equal citizens.”
Karen said there was also a barrier between people with a disability and accessing education and health services.
“For education, we need someone to assist us. Physiotherapy is very important for us, as our bodies are getting older, but it is hard to get.”
