Brisbane 2032: Toowoomba LGBTIQA+ and disability advocate Nadia Brady lists changes needed for Legacy Plan post Olympic and Paralympic Games
A Toowoomba inclusion advocate will join a selection of Australians from all states and territories to address how the region can increase its inclusivity ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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For Nadia Brady, 35, (they/them) leaving a lasting legacy for future generations is at the forefront of their mind.
The Toowoomba advocate, who identifies as non-binary and lives with disabilities, has seen first-hand the barriers preventing regional communities from achieving inclusivity, equality and diversity.
Nearly 12,000 Australians of all ages completed the Hopes and Dreams Survey but only 500 respondents, including Nadia, were selected to participate in the Legacy Forum.
The forum will be held at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane on Wednesday and will provide a platform to discuss ideas and ultimately help shape the state’s Legacy Plan ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Among the survey ideas received were changes to infrastructure, environment, culture, transport, health, jobs, technology and inclusion for minority groups.
“My hopes and dreams specifically discussed the Toowoomba region and creating a more inclusive environment for people living with disabilities and the LGBTIQA+ communities,” Nadia said.
While Nadia admits they do not expect a similar situation to occur in the Sunshine State, they believe some barriers were still present.
“Some people living with disabilities still cannot go into a cafe and order a cup of coffee, some still cannot access public bathrooms, some cannot find an accessible hotel to stay in and some who experience sensory issues struggle to find a quiet spot in public spaces,” Nadia said.
“Members of the LGBTIQA+ and disability communities still face stigma and judgment when they go out into the community so how can they fully engage if they do not feel welcome?
“These are the issues that we’ve been talking about for my entire life and we’re still talking about today.”
Nadia will be joined by Olympians and Paralympians Susie O’Neill, Dr Bridie Kean, Cate Campbell and Kurt Fearnley, business and community leaders and youth representatives.
“The Olympics only happens over the course of a month but we need to consider how we can create more opportunities and life changing decisions in the next 10 years,” Nadia said.
“We want Queensland and regional communities like Toowoomba to represent, embrace and celebrate diversity.”
Nadia said they had consulted several individuals and groups across Toowoomba who were affected by or advocated for these issues, many of which shared the same ideals.
The forum is designed to draft the vision, themes and priorities of the Legacy Plan.
A draft will then be released for public consultation from April to May 2023.
It will be delivered by the Queensland Government, Australian Government, Brisbane City and Sunshine Coast Councils, City of Gold Coast, Council of Mayors (SEQ), Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee.
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Originally published as Brisbane 2032: Toowoomba LGBTIQA+ and disability advocate Nadia Brady lists changes needed for Legacy Plan post Olympic and Paralympic Games
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