Disability advocate Dylan Alcott’s fight to revolutionise workplaces
Disability advocate, Logie winner and Wimbledon champion Dylan Alcott shares the story behind his fight to revolutionise workplaces around the country.
As a kid, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a very loving family and some incredible friends who, without even realising, normalised my disability to the point where I often forgot I had one.
I didn’t ever see anything in my life as a barrier; using a wheelchair was simply all I knew. It wasn’t until I got older that I realised there was something different about me, which could limit me in other areas of my life if I let it.
Take my sixth birthday party. When I was planning it with my parents, the only thing I wanted to do was go bowling. On the day of the party, Mum, Dad, my brother and I arrived and started to set up as we waited for guests. To my absolute relief, it was a full house.
The biggest problem we had on the day was whether or not we put the lane bumpers up or down. When you bowl with a disability, the bowling centre gives you this rack that you put the ball on. It’s actually extremely convenient, and everyone should request it!
Basically it lines everything up for you, meaning the ball rolls down the lane in a perfectly straight line.
My mates couldn’t bowl for sh*t and, using this new-found technique of mine, I beat everyone. This was a pivotal moment for me. It reiterated that I wanted to live a “normal” life, but one that would be filled with wins.
Unconsciously we all have elements in our lives we’re not proud of, or things we’d like to improve. Society as a whole, however, displays an unfair bias towards those who have a disability — this is particularly true when it comes to employment.
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We need to do better. And be better. I’m normally a yes guy, but in this case, I’m saying no. No more barriers. No more discrimination. No more unconscious bias. And no more judging people by what they look like or what you’re not used to seeing.
With the help of some talented young participants identified by the Dylan Alcott Foundation (dylanalcottfoundation.com.au) and my friends at BWM Dentsu, we have created a new campaign that is all about changing perceptions and driving awareness to an issue that needs to be overturned.
Remove The Barrier advocates for the creation of more fair and Equal Employment Opportunities — for everyone.
Workplaces that have already taken steps toward inclusivity report increased morale and productivity, which is a win for all.
I’ve experienced the buzz when someone says yes, or when I realise a job interview has been successful. Now let’s help the 4.5 million other Australians living with a disability to feel the same way.
And then let’s maybe all go bowling to celebrate. What do you say?
Dylan Alcott is founder of the Dylan Alcott Foundation. Visit removethebarrier.com to learn about the charity’s latest campaign.
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