Australian Disability Network has launched a short film and marketing campaign to educate the public about the social model of disability and to encourage employers to create more inclusive workplaces.
The humorous and thought-provoking film will kick-off Australian Disability Network’s six-week campaign in the lead-up to International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on December 3.
The ‘Choose Inclusion’ campaign invites employers and individuals to choose inclusion this IDPwD. Through the short film, a suite of free resources, and an invitation for Australians to share their own stories of choosing inclusion on social media, Australian Disability Network hopes to raise awareness of how everyone can contribute to removing barriers for greater inclusion of people with disability.
The short film, “It’s Not Hard to be Inclusive,” features comedians and disability advocates Madeleine Stewart and Sam Wade, and was created following extensive consultation with people with disability.
Funded by the Department of Social Services and produced by Taste Creative, the six-minute film explores the many misconceptions about disability, the barriers that society creates for people with disability, and the easy steps organisations can take to make their workplaces inclusive. The Choose Inclusion campaign also explores various aspects of workplace inclusion, from communication to recruitment, and equips businesses with practical tools for creating inclusive workplaces.
Katie Wilson, head of marketing and communications at Australian Disability Network, said the film uses humour to deliver a serious message about workplace inclusion, making it both impactful and memorable. “Collaborating with Taste Creative, Madeleine, and Sam to create a film that both entertains and educates has been truly rewarding. I’m particularly proud that our film is inclusively made. By showcasing talent with lived experience, we’re not just talking about inclusion – we’re living it”.
“This campaign embodies our belief that choosing inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also achievable by all”.
“For the Australian Disability Network project, we worked with comedians and crew with lived experience of disability, both in front and behind the camera. Authentic representation and equal opportunities make for a dynamic industry and ensures lived experiences are genuinely heard,” said Henry Smith, co-founder of Taste Creative.
Comedians Madeleine Stewart and Sam Wade worked closely with the Australian Disability Network and Taste Creative to create the script. “As a comedian with lived experience of disability, it was such a joy to bring my stand-up to this film for Australian Disability Network,” Stewart said. “Kudos to them for using comedy to educate and connect people on disability. Humour is a powerful tool—it brings people together from all walks of life and creates a shared understanding through laughter”.
“I had a blast working on the script and using my comedy to make the subject of disability engaging and relatable for those less familiar with it. Comedy is a powerful way to communicate important messages, and I’m thrilled Australian Disability Network trusted us comedians to help bring their vision to life,” Wade said.
As well as the film, free resources, including case studies, articles, workplace tips, and fact sheets, will be shared in the weeks leading up to December 3 to enable organisations to choose inclusion by removing employment barriers for people with disability. Australians will also be invited to share their own stories and tips to choose inclusion across social media, using the hashtags #ChooseInclusion #RemoveBarriers and #IDPwD2024.
