Student Intranet - News

Monday, 01 July 2024

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is proud to be hosting celebrations for Disability Pride Month this July, with events for staff, students, and the local community, which include Perth’s inaugural Disability Pride Festival.

Disability Pride Month is a celebration of disability identity, community, and advocacy. The month's, now international, celebration represents a historic win for decades of incredible work by disability advocates.

ECU is embracing the month with formal recognition of Disability Pride Flag Raising ceremonies at three campuses and a series of events, including an interactive mural painting activation for students and all the fun of the Disability Pride Festival.

ECU events during Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Flag Raisings

Members of the ECU community met on our South West, Mount Lawley and Joondalup campuses to raise the  Disability Pride flag.

At the Joondalup event University Librarian Constance Wiebrands noted that ECU was dedicated to continuously improving the experience of students living with a disability.

"Creating a university experience with is accessible to students, staff and community members with a disability is a key  performance indicator within out strategic plan, and its a goal that we all need to work towards." Wiebrands said.

Emma Conway, who is both a staff member and a student at ECU, spoke about her experience at ECU as a person with a disability. While undertaking studies in psychology and law, Conway is also an advisor in the Student Life team.

"Living life with a disability takes endurance, whether you are an individual, a carer or a loved one." Conway said reflecting on her previous experience of competing in triathlons and Iron Man competitions.

"While we call Iron Man an endurance sport, we also have a choice. We can stop at any given moment and walk away. You can not walk away from disability. This in my eyes is a true test of endurance."

Conway said living with a disability showed commitment, resilience, resourcefulness, compassion and  tenacity, not to mention innovation and creativity.

Rani Briscoe who is currently studying  psychology shared that during her time studying at ECU she had great support.

"My time here as a student has been positively phenomenal, and I feel completely supported by the university. The support of the Access and Inclusion team, as well as the teaching staff, creates a comfortable environment to succeed.

"The support allows me to stay on track, and progress with flexibility." Briscoe said.

The psychology student said Disability Pride Month was a time when people could focus on seeing how people are unique rather than impaired.

Orientation Session for Students: Bites and Brushes - Mural Painting Drop-In

Join us for a drop-in session to help paint a mural celebrating ECU's diverse community during Disability Pride Month! Designed by ECU students and illustrated by Perth-based artist Carla Adams, this mural honours the variety of student experiences during Disability Pride Month.

Enjoy snacks and refreshments as you collaborate on this creative project. The sessions, facilitated by student peers, welcome students with disability, neurodivergent students, and allies to participate and share their stories through art.

The event is designed as a drop-in, allowing you to come and go as you please. Sensory support items will be available to ensure a comfortable and inclusive experience for all. Your participation is welcome at any time throughout the event. Please email equity@ecu.edu.au if you have access needs to participate.

Joondalup Campus
Thursday, 11 July 2024 from 1.00PM to 3.00PM
Tuesday, 16 July 2024 from 2.00PM to 4.00PM

Mount Lawley Campus
Wednesday 17 July 2024 from 2.00PM to 4.00PM

Please register through the Orientation Booking page.

Disability Pride Festival

Saturday, 27 July from 10.00AM to 6.00PM at ECU Mount Lawley

ECU has partnered with local disability advocates to host the Perth's inaugural Disability Pride Festival! The Festival will bring together disability community members for a celebration of identity, culture and community. Founded by disability advocate Isabella Choate, who was awarded the ECU Community Leadership Award in 2023, this event has been organised by people with disability, for people with disability.

The festival includes a market of disabled-owned businesses, lived experience panel discussions, food, art exhibitions, music, community chats and crafts.

Visit the Disability Pride Festival website for more information.

A proud fight for recognition

The roots of Disability Pride Month are in community advocacy. On March 12, 1990, over a thousand advocates marched from the White House to the U.S Capitol to demand that the US Congress pass the Americans with Disabilities Act.

When activists arrived at the Capitol, sixty disabled activists demonstrated the inaccessibility of public spaces by getting out of the mobility aids and crawling up the Capitol steps in an act of civil disobedience later known as the Capitol Crawl. This monumental demonstration came after decades of activism by American disability activists and led to the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

In an Australian context, 1981 was a turning point in the history of the Australian and international disability rights movement. The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons, and called for a plan of action on the rights of persons with disabilities to take part fully in the life and development of their societies, to enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, and to have an equal share in improved conditions resulting from socio-economic development.

A shift occurred in the disability rights movement with greater connections to advocacy occurring internationally, especially the budding disability civil rights movement in the United States.