Celebrating Disability Pride Month

Recognising Every Ability

Hi, my name is Rubi, and I am proud to be leading our Disability Pride Month project. I am passionate about creating awareness, encouraging understanding and celebrating the strengths, experiences and achievements of people with disability. 

A big part of my journey has been supporting and caring for a family member, who is autistic. Through our experiences together, they have taught me the importance of patience, empathy, consideration and understanding. They have helped me recognise that everyone has unique strengths, abilities and perspectives that deserve to be valued and celebrated. 

What is Disability Pride Month? 

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the identity, contributions and achievements of people with disability. It is also an opportunity to learn about inclusion, challenge stereotypes and recognise that everyone deserves to feel respected, supported and included. 

Disability is a natural part of human diversity. People with disability make valuable contributions to our schools, communities and workplaces, and this month reminds us that differences should be celebrated, not hidden. 

How Can We Create a More Inclusive School?

We can all help by: 

• Being kind and respectful to everyone.  

• Using inclusive and respectful language.  

• Including others in conversations, activities and games.  

• Asking before offering help and respecting people’s choices.  

• Celebrating different ways of learning, communicating and participating.  

• Listening to the experiences of people with disability.  

   

During Disability Pride Month, I encourage everyone to learn something new about inclusion, celebrate individual strengths and think about one way they can help make our school a more welcoming place. 

I love being involved in this project because it allows me to share an important message, challenge stereotypes and help create a school community where everyone feels valued and proud to be themselves. 

Let’s celebrate every ability! 

Rubi Ward

Inclusion Captain

Year 11

Vision Impairment – National Eye Health Awareness Month 

Hi, my name is Jack, and I am proud to be one of our school's Inclusion Captains. As part of National Eye Health Awareness Month, I am excited to help raise awareness about vision impairment and promote a more inclusive school community. 

Supporting students with disability at school and in my clubs has been an important part of my journey. Through these experiences, I have learned that everyone learns differently, and that's something to celebrate. It has also given me strategies to support people with different abilities both in and outside of school. 

What is National Eye Health Awareness Month? 

July is National Eye Health Awareness Month, a time to recognise people who are blind or have low vision. It encourages everyone to learn more about eye health, challenge stereotypes, and better understand the experiences of people living with vision impairment. 

Vision impairment is a natural part of human diversity. People who are blind or have low vision make valuable contributions to our schools, communities, workplaces, and families every day. This month reminds us that our differences make us stronger and that everyone deserves to feel included. 

How Can We Create a More Inclusive School?

There are many ways we can support students with vision impairment. 

Specialist teachers work with students to develop vision-specific skills, introduce assistive technology such as immersive reader or text-to-speech software, and help schools make learning more accessible. 

Schools can also access services such as the State-wide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC), which provides learning materials in accessible formats like braille, large print, audio, and digital text. The centre also offers specialist equipment, teacher training, and additional support for students who need it. 

As students, we can also make a difference by being welcoming, offering help when it is needed, using respectful language, and remembering that everyone deserves the same opportunities to learn, participate, and succeed. 

During National Eye Health Awareness Month, I encourage everyone to learn something new about inclusion and celebrate people with vision impairment. If you meet someone who is blind or has low vision, remember to ask if they would like assistance rather than assuming they need help. Small acts of kindness and respect can make a big difference, and together we can build a school where everyone feels included. 

If you ever have any questions about vision impairment, inclusion, or how to support someone with a disability, please feel free to come and have a chat with me. I'm always happy to talk, answer questions, and help in any way I can. 

Jack Handley

Inclusion Captain

Year 10