International Day of People with Disability

Meet our IDPwD 2024 Ambassadors

[Music plays as image appears of Sara Shams smiling, and then Images move through to show Hayden Moon smiling at the camera with a laptop, and then Cooper Smith DJing]

[Image changes to show Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott talking with a male on a balcony, and then the image changes to show Marcus Dadd smiling under a tree]

Sara Shams: One in Five Australians have a disability.

[Images move through to show Khadija Gbla smiling at the camera, Marley Whatarau and Sean Skeels standing back-to-back smiling, and then Sara talking to the camera, and text appears: Sara Shams, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

We’re all different and there’s beauty in disability as well.

[Images move through to show a painted Aboriginal flag on display, a painting with handprints, and then Paul walking with a male in a garden]

Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott: I’ve lived with disability all my life.

[Image changes to show Paul’s and a male’s feet walking in the garden]

It’s taught me to be resilient. It’s changed my perspective on how I do things.

[Images move through to show various views of Paul with a male studying Aboriginal art, Paul talking to the camera, and then a wide view of Cooper DJing on stage, and text appears: Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

But it’s also introduced me to amazing people with disabilities and the resilience of people with disabilities and the contribution they make.

[Images move through to show views of Cooper DJing and dancing, views of Cooper talking to the camera, Cooper with a female, and then cooper looking left, and text appears: Cooper Smith, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

Cooper Smith: I feel people underestimate people with disability, I’m a big believer in putting myself out there.

[Images move through to show Khadija talking and cuddling her dog, Khadija talking to the camera, and then various views of Khadija talking with a female at a table outside, and text appears: Khadija Gbla, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

Khadija Gbla: Our community has the ability to see each and every one of us in our unique self that we are exactly what we all need to make our world better.

[Image changes to show views of Marley and Sean playing soccer, and then the image changes to show Marley talking on the left to the camera with Sean listening on the right, and text appears: Marley Whatarau, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador, Sean Skeels, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

Marley Whatarau: We have disabilities, we have Down syndrome.

[Images move through to show Sean pouring whisked eggs into a flour mix, Sean watching Marley mixing, and then Sean’s hands using a spoon to scrape mixture off Marley’s spoon]

You have to give people a chance.

[Image changes to show Marley talking on the left to the camera as Sean listens and wipes is eyes on the right]

Like we are good and human like you are.

[Image changes to show Sean hitting his fist into his other hand talking and smiling on the right while Marley smiles at the camera on the left, and then Sean puts his arm around Marley]

Sean Skeels: Yeah, you better. Good on the boys. You did it mate.

[Image changes to show views of Hayden sitting and talking with a female on a park bench, and then the image changes to show Hayden talking to the camera, and text appears: Hayden Moon IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

Hayden Moon: Being autistic has been an asset as a PhD student.

[Images move through to show Hayden working on a laptop, Hayden’s hands typing, Hayden looking up, a male’s hands pointing at an open book, and then Haden laughing with the male]

I’m basically living my dream here, researching a special interest every day.

[Images move through to show Marcus with cattle, Marcus’ hand patting a cow, Marcus talking to the camera, Marcus walking to a yard, and then views of Marcus looking at nature, and text appears: Marcus Dadd, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

Marcus Dadd: If you approach life and you have a go and, sure, it might need slight alteration or adaptation, but always with the end goal to achieving what I want to achieve.

[Music plays and images move through to show Khadija writing beside a laptop, Khadija looking down and smiling, Khadija talking, Khadija using a laptop, and then a painting of Khadija]

Khadija Gbla: Disabled people, we deserve to exist without apology of who we are.

[Images move through to show Cooper’s hands using the DJ controls, Cooper DJing, Cooper dancing, Cooper talking to the camera, Cooper’s feet on a treadmill, and then Cooper using the treadmill]

Cooper Smith: At the end of the day, just don’t compare yourself.

[Image changes to show various views of Cooper using a home gym, and then the image changes to show Cooper talking to the camera]

I do feel like you live in your own timeline.

[Images move through to show Sean putting his cards on the table as Marley celebrates, and then Marley and Sean dressed up with Marley driving, and then Marley and Sean dressed in suits]

Marley Whatarau: We are best friends, we are close friends.

[Image changes to show Sean talking to the camera on the left as Marley listens on the right]

Sean Skeels: He is a friend.

[Image changes to show Sean and Marley doing a special handshake]

Marley Whatarau: This is our dream together.

[Image changes to show a split screen of Sean smiling on the left and then Marley pointing to the camera on the right]

We make our videos. We make people happy.

[Image changes to show Marley and Sean holding a TikTok trophy, and then the camera zooms in on the trophy’s inscription]

This is our chance.

[Images move through to show Marcus walking with crutches towards cattle, Marcus’ side profile, and then cattle walking up to Marcus]

Marcus Dadd: I hope I can inspire people to really chase their dreams.

[Image changes to show Paul painting, and then the image changes to show Paul’s hand painting]

Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott: If non-disabled people want to support the disability community.

[Image changes to show Paul talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show Aboriginal painting symbols]

Raise your expectations and start to acknowledge that people with disabilities have incredible strength and navigate a world every day not designed for them.

[Image changes to show a painting of two people inside snake coils]

Just walk alongside us and learn from each other.

[Image changes to show Hayden talking with a female, the camera pans left to an approaching waving female, and then the image changes to show views of Hayden talking with two females]

Hayden Moon: There are people out there who will love and support you for who you are, and you will find people who will surround you with love and acceptance.

[Image changes to show Sean talking and waving to the camera on the right, while Marley listens on the left]

Sean Skeels: I am Sean.

[Image changes to show Marley talking and waving to the camera on the left, while Sean listens on the right]

Marley Whatarau: I am Marley.

[Image changes to show Sara talking to the camera]

Sara Shams: I’m Sara Shams.

[Image changes to show Hayden talking to the camera]

Hayden Moon: I’m Hayden Moon.

[Image changes to show Paul talking to the camera]

Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott: [Introduction in Wiradjuri language] I’m Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott.

[Image changes to show Cooper talking to the camera]

Cooper Smith: I’m Cooper Smith.