Creating Change Together

We are a social profit organisation on a mission to create a world where people who live with disability have a fair go at what life has to offer.
We listen to, learn from and work alongside people who live with disability to develop policy and practice that makes a difference.

New Podcast: We Need To Talk

One year ago the death of Ann Marie Smith shocked us all. Policy makers, service providers, the community, we all asked how this could have happened. But just this week Purple Orange heard from ‘Nat’, who told us she is scared she is going to be the next Ann Marie Smith. In this podcast, We Need To Talk, you will hear Nat’s story about her problems getting enough support, and how it means she sleeps in her wheelchair most days each week. And she says she’s not the only one.

Listen to the podcast below. Share it. Talk about it.

You can also listen on Spotify.

******** This is a heavy story. If you need to speak to someone, ring Lifeline on 13 11 14. ********

Find a transcript and resources to help you take action here.

What We Are Talking About

Language Matters

Be a better ally to the disability community starting with language. The words you choose to use shape the way society views and treats people with disability.

A Moment for Ann Marie

In April, it will be 1 year since Ann Marie Smith’s cruel and untimely death. In life, she seems to have been forgotten. Let’s not forget her in death.

The Purple Orange Podcast: Nice, but not really

You would never go around slinging out disability slurs. The last thing you want is to cause harm with your words. You would like to be an ally to the disability community, or perhaps you consider yourself one already. But even friends, family members, advocates and disability workers sometime get things wrong. In this episode of The Purple Orange Podcast, Jae Marie Jaensch guides us through things people commonly say that they think are nice, but often aren't received that way.

What is Our Voice SA?

We made this video to show off the life-changing work of Our Voice SA, a self-advocacy group run by and for people with intellectual disability.

The Elephant in the Interview

After graduating from her accounting degree, Daniella Biagi really struggled to get a job. She had no problem getting to the interview stage. But she said there was always an elephant in the room that no one wanted to talk about.

Video: It was there all the time

After a terrible life-changing event, Rod Flight reconnects with a dormant passion, but then struggles to not be boxed in by a label.

Disability Elders of All Ages Strategic Plan

Disability Elders of All Ages (DEAA) is a peer led organisation of people living with physical disability and sensory disability (PLWPSD) in South Australia.

Policy Submission: National Transport Commission's discussion on automated vehicle trials in Australia

We have submitted our recommendations to the National Transport Commission about its review of guidelines for trials of automated vehicles in Australia.

We Acknowledge And Pay Our Respects To First Australians

We want to see a world where everyone is included, respected and gets a fair go in life. We can't get there without acknowledging that our office sits on the land of the Kaurna people. Like people living with disability, we recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people continue to experience inequality and division. We want them to know we are their allies. We believe their culture, history, diversity and deep connection to the land deserves our highest respect.

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A MOMENT OF ME

Laura

What I don’t want for Ann Marie Smith is for her to be remembered as a statistic.

I would like to remember that she had a love for gold hair accessories. I would like to know more things about Ann Marie. What was her favourite song and is there someone who can share that with us. I want to know her for reasons that are other than the awful undignified way she was treated and the neglect that led to her death.

Ann Marie’s life should have mattered.

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