LINK DisAbility Magazine

06/09/2024

You've heard of our bi-monthly magazine, but did you know we have a twice weekly email newsletter too? Stay on top of the latest positive news about - sign up on our website! Visit

Latest Issue Stories Ability Fest heading to BrisbaneSeptember 4, 2024 Adaptive clothing on the fashion catwalkAugust 29, 2024 Paralympics fever as Games set to beginAugust 26, 2024 Harvey Norman – Going the distance for ParalympiansAugust 21, 2024 Golf Day empowers people with disabilityAugust 20...

05/09/2024

Stunning news today out of Canberra: NDIS Minister Bill Shorten is leaving politics, setting a retirement day of next February.

What do you think his legacy will be?

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten will remain in government until February, when he will take up the position of vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra.

04/09/2024

Go Australia! It's been a week of intense competition in the first half of the Paralympics, are our athletes have certainly risen to the occasion with a phenomenal medal haul so far.

Are you watching the Paras?

The Paris Paralympic Games only began a week ago, but Australian athletes have already shown their dominance.

04/09/2024

Everyone wants to look and feel good about themselves, and adaptive clothing companies like Christina Stephens and Active Adaptive are making sure people with disability can enjoy the fun of fashion too, with stylish and functional pieces that are comfortable and easy for them to wear.

Models sashayed down a makeshift catwalk, broad smiles on their faces. Some used wheelchairs, while others had prosthetic limbs, but every one of them looked confident, stylish and comfortable.&nbs…

04/09/2024

Sitting here waiting for the Adelaide screening of Nova Employment Focus on Ability Short Film Festival to start. Recommend you check out the great short films on www.focusonability.com.au I will share more photos later.

02/09/2024

The Federal government's much-talked-about reforms have passed Parliament - but the disability community has concerns about how the changes will impact supports.

People with Disability Australia

The Federal government's NDIS reforms have passed Parliament, but disability advocates are worried about what this means for disability support.

26/08/2024

The 2024 start this week! 4400 Paralympians from 184 nations competing in 22 para-sports... will you be watching??

Find out everything you need to know about the Australian Paralympic Team - go to

28 August - 8 September France will be hosting its first‑ever summer Paralympic Games in 2024. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will see more than 4,400 athletes from around the world competing in 549 medal events. The first Paralympic summer Games in the French capital will showcase 22 sports, inc...

26/08/2024

“Working with the allows us to profile, support and highlight the athletes incredible stories, journeys and athletic brilliance."

Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page is featured in the latest edition of Link Magazine, talking about the retail giant's support for the Australian Paralympic Team.

Harvey Norman has been supporting sport in Australia for over 30 years and this sporting tailwind from Australia’s biggest retailer has been a work in progress that started with the Commonwealth Ga…

23/08/2024

Held at Emerald Lakes on the Gold Coast, last month's 2024 Queensland Blind and Inclusive Open saw a full field of 50 golfers with blindness or low vision take to the green to compete.

It was the first event to be co-organised by Empower Golf Australia with Blind Golf Australia. Empower Golf founder James Gribble spoke to Link about the event.

A full field of 50 golfers took to the field for the sold-out 2024 Queensland Blind and Inclusive Open last month.  Held at Emerald Lakes on the Gold Coast, the event saw golfers with blindnes…

22/08/2024

Feedback is open NOW on NDIS supports!

The Federal government EXTENDED consultation on its new draft list of supports, but consultation CLOSES at 5pm on Sunday. If you'd like to have your say, get in quick - click our link to find our more.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has announced public consultation on draft lists of what constitute NDIS Supports.

21/08/2024

Last week, we shared Paul Pritchard's story. Now, watch his empowering TEDx talk for yourself - such a powerful message!

20/08/2024

STEPS Pathways College has just held its annual Grand Winter Ball, raising funds to support the innovative college and its students. It was a glittering night, and the stars were the students themselves!

Read all about it:

The Sunshine Coast community came out for a night of generosity in support of STEPS Pathways College for its annual Grand Winter Ball.  The Ball – held on Saturday 27 July – is the college’s m…

19/08/2024

RAD Theatre has gone from street theatre to performing on stage at the QPAC, enjoying the safe space that art offers for people of all abilities.

And employed with the front of house team at QPAC is Harrison (Harry) Quinn, working the same usher, cloakroom, lift and greeting rotations as the 130 other FOH staff. Harry was born with Dystonia, a condition where, as he puts it: ‘something has gone wrong with the wiring in my brain,’ causing intermittent muscle spasms and shaking.

The arts is a safe place for people of all abilities - read more about RAD Theatre and Harry in the latest edition of Link!

According to Real and Diverse (RAD) theatre director Clark Crystal: “The arts is a safe place for all to participate in and experience and the ensemble of actors of all abilities to respond to the …

16/08/2024

Are you neurodivergent, living in Adelaide and looking for a supportive and inclusive job? Apply now for the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program - applications close 18 August so be quick!

The Government is recruiting people who are neurodivergent for the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program in Adelaide.

15/08/2024

Feedback is open NOW on NDIS supports!

The Federal government has opened consultation on its new draft list of supports, but consultation CLOSES on Sunday. If you'd like to have your say, get in quick - click our link to find our more.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has announced public consultation on draft lists of what constitute NDIS Supports.

14/08/2024

Have your say on Australia's Disability Strategy -

The Federal government is inviting people to have their say on Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, with public consultation now open.

14/08/2024

2024 Adelaide Focus on Ability Screening
We would love for you to join us at the 2024 Focus On Ability Screening Events, where we will celebrate the remarkable talents and stories of individuals with disability. Come and experience the power of perseverance, creativity, and resilience. Your presence will make these events truly unforgettable!

Thanks to our generous sponsor NOVA Employment, these are free events but spots are limited, so please reserve your spot today. Know anyone else that would enjoy coming along? Please pass on this email and have them register 🙂 Thank you to those that have already registered, we look forward to welcoming you.

Adelaide
WHEN: Wednesday 4 September, 2024
TIME: 11am - 1pm
WHERE: Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide
65 Hindley St, Adelaide
RSVP: 23 August Click HERE (All guests are required to register)

In a different state? We are hosting events right around the country, take a look and see where may suit.

14/08/2024

Brisbane, are you ready to feel fancy?? 💅

A new production of Fancy Long Legs is hitting the stage in September. Exploring through a creative, uplifting and relatable lens, it's the perfect show for anybody who wants to understand their place in the world. Performances are accessible and sensory friendly too!

Tickets and details here: https://hubs.li/Q02Km9RF0

La Boite Theatre

A celebration of individuality and creativity, Fancy Long Legs, a dazzling, all-ages musical, will debut at La Boite Theatre next month.

12/08/2024

A ‘wheelie’ moving story: Colin Dawson was the first paraplegic to get a taxi drivers licence in the Northern Territory, and now runs a private car hire service in Alice Springs!

Wheelie's Private Hire

Colin Dawson was the first paraplegic to get a taxi drivers licence in the Northern Territory, but it was the last thing on the 17-year old’s mind as he lay in Sydney’s Royal North Shore hospital w…

08/08/2024

Last week, the government handed down the Commonwealth's response to the - but many advocates say the response hasn't gone far enough, and is insulting to the people with disability who detailed harrowing tales of violence, neglect and abuse during the Commission's hearings.

Read the responses:

After ten months, the Federal government handed down the Commonwealth's response to the landmark Disability Royal Commission last week.

08/08/2024

🏊❄️ Hundreds of people around the country plunged into icy waters over the weekend to raise money for Special Olympics Australia. The water may have been cold, but their hearts were warm as they were "freezin' for a reason!"

Around 10am on Saturday, over 140 people – some in tutus, some wearing capes, some in penguin costumes – began to run, tiptoe or dive into the freezing waters of Port Phillip Bay.  To the untr…

07/08/2024

🎉Check out the films

We're thrilled to announce the launch of the 2024 Focus on Ability Film Festival! This year's festival is an incredible showcase of creativity, talent, and ability that you won't want to miss. Dive into a world of stunning films and find your favourite. When you cast your vote, you’re not only supporting your top pick for their chance to win $5,000, but you’re also entering a draw to win $250 just for participating. Join us in celebrating these remarkable stories and take part in the excitement today! Simply head to our website to view.

Free Screening Events🎬

We would love for you to join us at one of our 2024 Focus On Ability Screening Events, where we celebrate the remarkable talents and stories of individuals with disability. Come and experience the power of perseverance, creativity, and resilience. Your presence will make these events truly unforgettable!

September 3 - Melbourne
September 4 - Adelaide
September 5 - Fremantle
September 10 - Canberra
September 12 - Sydney
September 17 - Launceston
September 18 - Brisbane

Reserve your free spot or please contact us if you require more information - https://hubs.li/Q02KmQWs0

06/08/2024

Are you ready to make a difference and get rewarded for it?

Knowable Me is a vibrant community dedicated to empowering voices and driving positive change for people living with disability and their support networks. Share your experiences through surveys, research interviews, product testing, and even mystery shopping. Your opinions matter!

Signing up is a breeze, and it's completely free.

Join today!

https://hubs.li/Q02K8Mss0

05/08/2024

Just too cute not to post. Have a great week everyone from all the team at LINK HQ.

04/08/2024

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I'm enjoying watching the Olympics and looking forward to watching the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games starting on 28 August, with around 4,400 athletes competing in 22 sports! 🏅

Don't miss the August issue of LINK, where you'll find a fantastic Q&A with Madison de Rozario on page 15. Check it out at www.linkonline.com.au. 📖✨

03/08/2024

"I love testing myself, was going fast and having the time of my life.”

The are coming up, and as we all get ready for the Games, our cover story for the August edition of Link features four-time Para Surfing World Champion and former Paralympic cyclist, Matt Formston.

Find out what he loves best about the sport in the latest edition of Link, online now!

Four-time Para Surfing World Champion, and former Paralympic cyclist Matt Formston, has taken his quest for sporting greatness to new heights. It all happened on November 30, 2022, on one of the wo…

01/08/2024

Australia’s accessible tourism industry was worth around $6.8 billion in June 2023. If you're a business in the tourism space looking to become more accessible, an upcoming conference will show you how.

A leading accessible and inclusive tourism conference is coming to Melbourne next month.  The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference (AITCAP) will land in Melbourne on Tuesday 27 August f…

31/07/2024

The August Issue of LINK is Here!

The latest issue of LINK has arrived, and it is jam-packed with news for the disability community – from a blind surfer taking on the world’s biggest waves, to our Paralympians in Paris and the artistic achievement of four talented Archibald Prize finalists. Link also takes a ride with an enterprising paraplegic private hire car service in Alice Springs, and we meet Harry, front of house at QPAC Brisbane.

Don't miss out – read the digital version now or subscribe to receive the printed edition at https://hubs.li/Q02JGclp0

31/07/2024

🔔Event alert🔔

On this weekend, the Source Kids Disability Expo Brisbane. Fun, entertainment, and information all under the one roof.

All the details:

Enjoy a line-up of performers ready to delight young and old Unwind in our sensory-friendly zone Immerse yourself in the fun, sports, and chill zones, ensuring a day full of fun and entertainment A…

06/06/2023

It is not too late to join Photovoice!

Photovoice is a free 5-week photography project for people living with disability designed to capture their unique experience of the world and give others more understanding of living with disability.

Each week participants take a photo connected to the theme, Disability Pride, that helps them to express how they feel. Meeting in small groups to connect, and make new friends, participants will talk about topics like ‘I love being me because…’, ‘inclusion’, ‘courage’ and ‘pride’. We will also teach tips and tricks on taking great photographs!

Photovoice is run online - all participants need is a smart phone or a camera, and the Zoom video chat app.

Photovoice is open to people living with disability, family and carers, 18 years and over. To sign up, call Social Futures on 1800 522 679.

Watch our Photovoice film clip:
https://hubs.li/Q01Sq7jk0

Download our poster: https://hubs.li/Q01Sq7vn0


https://hubs.li/Q01Sq7m40