Unlocking Voices: Speak My Language & Multicultural Perspectives on Disability

Unlocking Voices: Speak My Language & Multicultural Perspectives on Disability

ECCQ proudly presents an enlightening event dedicated to fostering understanding and inclusivity for multicultural Queenslanders living with disabilities. Join us for an engaging evening where we spotlight the impactful Speak My Language program and hear directly from a diverse panel of individuals with disabilities.

Event Highlights:

• Panel Discussion: Hear from three dynamic panelists from multicultural backgrounds as they share their authentic experiences living with disability in Australia. This open and respectful dialogue aims to demystify and destigmatize the realities faced by people with disabilities in multicultural communities.
• Interactive Q&A: Engage directly with our panelists during a lively question-and-answer session. This is your opportunity to gain insights and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way.
• Speak My Language Showcase: Experience real-time listening booths featuring episodes from the Speak My Language program. Discover stories, advice, and resources about accessible and inclusive places and activities across Australia.
• Networking & Refreshments: Enjoy light refreshments and network with fellow attendees at the end of the event. Connect with others who are passionate about making a difference in the realm of disability and multiculturalism.

Our panellists:

Sara Shams is a speaker, model, creator, actor, and disability activist. As a bilateral above knee amputee, her mission is to raise awareness on what it takes to be truly and authentically inclusive within the fashion/media industry, and beyond. Using her lived experience and an intersectional approach, Sara aims to challenge the negative implications that surround disability, to normalise and recognise people with disabilities as valuable members of society. Sara’s journey to ‘embracing her quirks’ has been facilitated by an adaptive mindset whilst challenging societal bias and barriers. Recognised as a change maker, Sara is passionate about body acceptance, authentic representation, and creating age, size and ability inclusive spaces.

Saras’ creative career is complemented by a background in healthcare, and having recently commenced in board director roles, Sara is also advocating for inclusive representation in leadership positions. People with disabilities continue to be underrepresented in boardrooms across Australia and Sara is working towards building disability-confident businesses and organisations. As a proud disabled woman of colour, Sara’s presence in brand campaigns, events, runways, and screens, creates space for people from various walks of life. From the runway to boardrooms, Sara is committed to smashing ceilings and redefining perceptions of disability.

Shawn Phua is a profoundly Deaf, Asian-Australian man in his 30s who has lived in Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia, for most of his life. He is fluent in Auslan and English, and does not lip-read or speak. Shawn was born to Malaysian-Chinese hearing parents in a multilingual family where English is their fourth language after Cantonese, Malay/Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin. 

Shawn and his parents communicate in a mixture of signs from Auslan, Australian Signed English, Malaysian Sign Language (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia - BIM), and Singaporean Sign Language (SgSL) at home. Shawn has experience in teaching/tutoring and supporting a wide range of people, including families of Deaf children, hearing students, NDIS participants, migrants, refugees, adults and seniors from various communities.

Event Details:

• Date: 28th August
• Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
• Location: Griffith University, Logan campus. 

This event is a unique opportunity to be part of a crucial conversation about inclusion and accessibility. We look forward to welcoming you to a gathering where voices are heard, and narratives are shaped.

RSVP Today and join us in building a more inclusive and understanding community

More information about parking will be sent to you upon registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact advocacy@eccq.com.au or 0413 512 961.