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Identifying with disability

I asked my Facebook friends some questions. I asked if they think being Deaf is a disability. Some Deaf people said they do not have a disability. They enjoy being part of the Deaf community. They have their own language. They do not feel disadvantaged. But other Deaf people said they have a disability. They cannot hear and need hearing aids. They use interpreters. When they speak it can be hard for people to understand what they say. I think about the future. I wonder if one day people will understand we are a cultural group.

More information about Identifying with disability

Featured columnist

A portrait photo of Karli Dettman

Karli Dettman

Read all about Karli and the articles that she's written.

Featured article from Arts

The man who makes music

piano

I met Jacob Taurins when we sang in a choir. Jacob is a musical composer who has Multiple Sclerosis. He was 20 years old when he learned he was sick. He had to stay in hospital many times. Jacob plays the piano and studied music at university. He wrote music for a string quartet that was performed last year. Jacob is influenced by the composer Bach. He also enjoys jazz and African drumming. He creates different types of music. He does not like to repeat himself. Jacob uses a computer with a mouse designed to assist people with a physical disability.

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Featured article from Rights & policies

Fighting to make a difference

People on a ferry jpg

My wife and I took our children for a family holiday last year. My wife and I have disabilities. We planned to catch a ferry to Phillip Island. We had to travel a long way to get to the ferry. We also had to wait a long time for the ferry to arrive. When it came we were not allowed to get on. The master of the boat did not think we would be able to get off the boat safely. I decided to make a complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

2 comments - last comment on 25/01/12

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Featured article from Out & about

Princes Pier

Princes Pier Port Melbourne 2012

Princes Pier in Port Melbourne has re-opened. I went to see it. It is great to see people walking and fishing on the pier. The pier is 580 metres long. It now has a new section. The pier is accessible for people with a disability. There are ramps and disabled toilets. At night, there is good lighting on the pier. The pier is an important part of Melbourne's history. Many people came from other countries to live in Australia. They came on ships that stopped at Princes Pier. On 28 January there will be a festival at Princes Pier.

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Featured article from Lifestyle

Relationships and carers

woman staring into partners eyes

People with physical disabilities can have fulfilling and long relationships. They can have relationships with people who do not have a disability. Sometimes it is hard for the person without a disability to accept there is a need for a carer. But carers can help the relationship. The carer must respect the couple's relationship. But it is also important for the couple to respect the carer. It helps when the carer and the couple talk to each other. They can talk about any problems they have. The person with a disability can also talk to their support agency.

1 comment - last comment on 21/01/12

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Featured article from Lifestyle

Hiding my disease

Sea of Sadness

I was sick for many years. But I didn't tell anyone. I hid the symptoms from my family and friends. I tried to eat all the right foods. But I would still have to run to the toilet. I didn't know why I was sick. I visited many doctors. Eventually I went to a hospital to have a colonoscopy. The doctor said I had ulcerative colitis. There is no cure. I finally told my family about the illness. But I continue to hide the illness from most other people. I do not want their pity.

4 comments - last comment on 20/01/12

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