Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott

[Images move through to show Paul Constable-Calcott’s hand with a paintbrush, Paul painting, Paul’s hand painting, various views of Paul talking to the camera, and then symbols on paper]

Paul Constable-Calcott: If non-disabled people want to support the disability community, 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 close view of an Aboriginal painting of two people in snake coils]

Just walk alongside us and learn from each other.

[Image changes to show a medium view of Paul talking to the camera, and text appears: Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott, IDPwD 2024 Ambassador]

Hello everyone, I hope you are well. My name is Uncle Paul. I am a proud Wiradjuri man, now living on Gubbi Gubbi Country.

[Music plays as image changes to show a medium view of Paul dipping a paintbrush and painting, and then the image changes to show Paul’s hand painting]

I’d like to consider myself a disability and human rights advocate.

[Images move through to show painted sticks, a painted statue of a person, a medium view of Paul talking to the camera, a close view of Paul talking to the camera and then a painting of handprints]

I develop resources that support our community in understanding their human rights and accessing supports and services using traditional art and storytelling, because that’s how our mob communicated for thousands and thousands of years.

[Music plays as images move through to show a house side gate painted with Aboriginal art and symbols, and then the image changes to show a wooden fish sculpture hanging in a tree]

[Image changes to show a close view of a flower, and then the image changes to show Paul walking and talking with a male in a garden]

I developed polio when I was 18 months old, so I’ve lived with disability all my life. It’s taught me to be resilient.

[Images move through to show Paul’s feet walking, a medium view of Paul talking to the camera, and then lit embers in a smoking firepit,]

It’s changed my perspective and how I do things, 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 Paul laughing with friends around the smoking firepit, a female laughing, Paul talking, and then Paul with a female listening and laughing while a female talks]

I’ve worked with some other Elders who are artists, and I feel it’s our duty to support our younger people with disabilities. Quite often people with disabilities have cognitive impairments, but also with the First Nations people in this country, English can be their fourth language.

[Image changes to show a medium and then a close view of Paul talking to the camera, and then various views of Paul studying and pointing at Aboriginal paintings with a male]

So to develop resources that are actually developed in a style of our ancestors using traditional symbols as our storytelling, as our letters, is a way of letting people know that this supports you as an Aboriginal person with a disability.

[Image changes to show a view looking up at multiple poles of various country flags flying, and then the image changes to show a street view of the flags and people holding large Aboriginal paintings]

In June, I was an official part of the delegation group from Australia to go to the United Nations.

[Images move through to show Paul smiling with a male as the camera slowly pans out]

My husband Rob came along and we took a couple of artists with disabilities.

[Image changes to show a medium view of Paul talking to the camera, and then a close view of Paul talking to the camera]

It was amazing to be there with fellow people with disabilities.

[Image changes to show a male and female smiling with Paul at the camera beside Aboriginal paintings on display, and then the image changes to show Paul with a male smiling at the camera]

To talk about people with disabilities was very powerful.

[Images move through to show Aboriginal paintings behind Paul with a male smiling at the camera, Paul listening and smiling with a male talking and pointing, and then Paul talking]

I’m quite proud I have this, I don’t try to conform anymore and it’s part of who I am and it’s led me on this amazing life. And honestly, I probably wouldn’t be here today doing this if I didn’t have a disability.

[Images move through to show a rear view of Paul with a male on a balcony, a painting of the Aboriginal flag, and then Paul with a male talking and studying Aboriginal paintings]

If you’re a young person with disability, don’t try and cover up your disability.

[Image changes to show Paul laughing with a male air drumming]

You’re an amazing person.

[Image changes to show a medium view of Paul talking to the camera]

You navigate life in a different way to everybody else.

[Images move through to show a close view of Paul talking to the camera, Paul laughing with a male, a female smiling, and then Paul laughing with a female]

You’re resilient. You overcome barriers every day. Just be who you are and achieve what you want to achieve.

[Image changes to show Paul laughing with a male on a balcony, and then the image changes to show camera panning out on an Aboriginal painting of two people in snake coils]

If you’re a non-disabled person, just become an ally.

[Image changes to show Paul walking with a male in a garden towards the camera]

Walk alongside us and we can learn from each other.

[Image changes to show a medium view of Paul talking to the camera]

[Speaking Wiradjuri language] I am Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott and I’m an Ambassador for International Day of People with disability.

[Music plays as image changes to show a blue screen with the International Day of People with Disability, and text appears: www.idpwd.com.au]