Griffith acknowledges Worldwide Day of Folks with Incapacity – Griffith Information

This year, International Day of People with Disabilities coincides with the first anniversary of the Queensland Human Rights Act and a relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions at the national level.

Susan Harris Rimmer, a professor at Griffith University, had a seat on the Queensland Parliament’s Human Rights Advisory Council and said the international COVID-19 response left much to be desired. These views have also been confirmed by the Royal Commission.

“Disability rights are seen as the final frontier in the human rights movement,” said Professor Harris Rimmer.

“On the one hand, we’ve made 10 years of progress in converting telemedicine and other online services. However, many people with a disability are dependent on the provision of personal services that were abruptly discontinued during the pandemic.

“We have to be better prepared for such events in the future.”

Dr. Camila Shirota and research fellow Redha Alrikabi of Griffith University’s Hopkins Center, a research center focused on people with lived experience and inclusivity, are looking for ways to make this happen.

Researcher Redha Alrikabi.

“Our latest research is into how we can use technology to improve rehabilitation services remotely provided after COVID-19,” said Dr. Shirota.

“We are exploring ways in which mixed reality, personal devices and robotics can make health care easier when it cannot be delivered in person,” added Alrikabi.

Griffith University’s Student Support Service Student Disability and Accessibility recognized the diverse needs of its own student population and was one of the first teams on campus.

Cathy Easte, Student Disability and Accessibility Manager.

Ms. Cathy Easte, Student Disability and Inclusion Manager, was one of the first people to earn an apprenticeship diploma and deep deafness in Queensland in the 1980s.

“I am passionate about access to education and employment outcomes for people with disabilities,” said Ms. Easte.

“It was of the utmost importance for my team to continue to operate remotely during the height of the Queensland pandemic, but we were also keen to return to campus when it was safe to do so as we knew that personal service was also required,” she said .

Harry Rodgers, Bachelor of Business student.

New Colombo scholar and Griffith Honors college student Harry Rodgers can vouch for the Student Disability and Accessibility Service.

“I have definitely taken advantage of the resources and help the team is providing such as exam schedules and accessible readings and other course materials,” said Harry.

“My online experience has been good, but I look forward to returning to a busy campus.

“It will be good to see my teachers and classmates, not just virtually.”