Prejudice against people with disabilities still exists despite “many strides forward” in advocating for their rights, according to the chief of a leading Geelong welfare agency.
Elaine Robb marked Encompass Community Services’ 30th anniversary with a speech highlighting the difficulties confronting the disabled, whether seeking employment or simply shopping.
“There have been so many strides forward in the rights of people with disabilities but each time someone is denied a job opportunity, visible or invisible prejudices still exist,” Ms Robb said.
“Each time a person is ridiculed or told they can’t do something, like buying something from a hi-fi store, ignorance still exists.
“Every time someone feels they have to hide that they live with a mental illness, fear of difference is an issue.”
Ms Robb said Encompass was working to “break down the barriers”.
The organisation was striving to create “universal opportunities … not because it is easy but because it is the way the world must be,” she said.
“That’s what Encompass is going to do; create the new and better reality.”
Encompass is a not-for-profit organisation providing services for the disabled, the unemployed and others dealing with financial, social or learning problems,
More information is available at encompass-cs.org.au.
