First national conference on Disability in Australian Media – Day One

“Things happen for me, not to me.” This powerful statement by actor Louise Yeates, the first actor with a disability to be featured on Australian television, resonated for those attending the conference on disability representation in media, “Driving Change“.

Yeates’s story, and the insights shared by other speakers, highlighted the ongoing struggle for authentic inclusion in the industry and offered a hopeful vision for the future. Though lots of able-bodied people had played people in wheelchairs (think Raymond Burr in “Ironside”), she was actually a wheelchair user.

This focus on disability representation from the 1970s/1980s brought to mind my own childhood memories of gathering with my family four nights a week to watch the Australian drama “Bellbird.” While I was too young to recall specific plotlines, the ritual of watching this show, set in a small country town and immensely popular in regional areas, remains vivid.

Years later, I learned that “Bellbird” made television history by featuring Louise Yeates, who joined the cast at the age of 15. Only a few months later, a car accident in Gundagai left her a paraplegic.

Initially, the show’s producer, James Davern, told a TV magazine that Yeates wouldn’t be returning, suggesting she pursue a career in radio and stating that “the ABC wasn’t a charity.” However, faced with industrial action by the other cast members, Davern relented, and Yeates returned to “Bellbird” in a wheelchair, her character’s paralysis explained as the result of a hit-and-run accident.

This pioneering act of inclusion resonated decades later. Yeates herself shared her experiences and emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance. “Value your uniqueness,” she urged the audience, reflecting on how her life path, including meeting her husband through the International Year of Disability, was shaped by her experiences. Hearing her speak brought her story full circle, connecting my childhood memories to the urgent conversations happening today.

Louise was a guest on ABC Radio’s Conversations, talking about her experiences. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/louise-philip-actress-bell-bird-television-disability/104453192

This theme of finding strength in adversity echoed throughout the day.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn opened the conference, sharing personal anecdotes about her sister, who lives with an intellectual disability, and her daughter, who is pursuing an acting career.

One session focused on the almost total absence of First Nations people with disabilities in the media, despite an estimated 45% of Indigenous Australians living with a disability, often exacerbated by socioeconomic factors. A speaker emphasized the importance of culturally sensitive language, noting that First Nations communities might describe someone as “he walks slowly” rather than using the term “disabled.”

Discussions explored whether inclusivity in filmmaking was a matter of welfare, social justice, good business sense, or a combination of all three. Data was presented showing that “inclusive” advertising campaigns generally perform better due to their authenticity. Unilever, a leader in inclusive advertising, has even developed a toolkit to guide companies in creating more representative campaigns.

The role of government in promoting inclusivity was also debated. One speaker’s declaration that “an arts career is a genuine career” drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. A representative from Screen Australia suggested that the industry could learn from Indigenous funding models, which prioritize supporting talented individuals rather than solely focusing on projects with explicitly Indigenous themes.

As someone who works in audio, I found the conference particularly thought-provoking. It challenged me to consider how I can contribute to a more inclusive media landscape, ensuring that the voices and stories of people with disabilities are heard loud and clear.