According to the 2016 Survey of Disability report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there are over 4 million people in Australia living with some sort of disability, and 4,4% of them use a wheelchair, which is approximately 176.000 people.
When you are completely healthy or no need of using a wheelchair, there are no limits to go out and explore the world.
But, unfortunately, for people using a wheelchair, it’s not the same. Although every day there is more awareness about accessible places for wheelchair users, there are still many places in the world that have not adapted to this reality.
In 2017, I was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy called Fascioescapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD), which could eventually lead me to use a wheelchair. It is an ongoing and degenerative disease that has no cure at the moment. Therefore, as a Google Local Guide, I have become more aware of wheelchair accessibility when visiting places in my city. But there should be no need to live or meet someone with a disability to be aware of accessibility.
So every time I can, I talk to people to be more aware of all of those living with a disability, and also, people or companies that own public places, such as restaurants, to create a world more inclusive and accessible.
Let’s build a more inclusive world!!