International Day of People with Disability highlights the importance of leadership

Key points:

• The theme of this year’s International Day of People with Disability is related to leadership and improving inclusivity for people with disability
• Cameron Bradshaw is a South Australian disability advocate who is using his skills in public speaking to raise awareness of conditions such as autism spectrum disorder
• Cameron has spoken at many events and also runs his own public speaking business, Bradshaw’s Barrier Breakdowns

With the International Day of People with Disability fast approaching, one South Australian disability advocate is making a big difference to raise awareness of the experiences of people with disability.

The International Day of People with Disability is held each year on December 3, since the United Nations established the annual observance in 1992.

This year’s theme is ‘amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’

While Cameron Bradshaw is not an ambassador for the event, his determination to share his experiences living with autism spectrum disorder demonstrates leadership qualities. 

Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder, is a lifelong developmental condition affecting approximately one in every 100 people in Australia.

The Disability Support Guide contains plenty of information guides about autism spectrum disorder and where to get community support near you. Learn more about the signs of autism and the road to diagnosis and how some people with autism spectrum disorder can find employment.

Cameron also appears at Disability Expos, having most recently attended one in Adelaide. [Source: Cameron Bradshaw; supplied]

 

Cameron highlighted his achievements in public speaking and why he continues to share the challenges and rewards of living with autism spectrum disorder.

“I also did a [public talk] in 2016 with someone from Job Prospects and then again in 2017. At Barakuma I’ve given a few public talks and I also gave a public talk at Jigsaw Australia three weeks ago,” he said.

“Most recently, I attended a national listening and speaking conference in Melbourne with a large disability group.

“I’m very passionate about increasing disability awareness and inclusion. I wanted to use something that I loved to help other people.”

Job Prospects and Jigsaw Australia are both organisations that assist people with disability to find employment and provide ongoing support.

Cameron also runs his own YouTube channel, Bradshaw’s Barrier Breakdowns and his own public speaking business by the same name. He is also available to come and speak about his story at school assemblies, graduations, job agencies and other communities that support people with disability.

Bradshaw's Breaking Barriers

 

While Cameron enjoys public speaking, he explained that he has faced challenges related to autism spectrum disorder, but has developed strategies to manage stressful situations.

“When I was younger, change was something I used to struggle with and there were definitely times when I didn’t cope with it very well. It’s something I still struggle with, but I definitely cope with it better than I used to,” he said.

“Change can be a good thing. If change didn’t happen, life would be very boring. Change in life is not easy [and] change in life is not always pleasant, but changes happen all the time — and not every change in life is bad. How you deal with it is up to you.”

Cameron accepted a Barkuma Employer Award on behalf of Mitre 10 Reynella at last year’s ceremony. [Source: Cameron Bradshaw; supplied]

 

Cameron attended Cabra Dominican College during his high school years and participated in the Barkuma Transition Program which helps final-year students transition from schooling to the workforce. 

Since engaging with Barkuma’s disability support services, Cameron gained employment and currently works at Mitre 10 as a gardener. 

In December 2023, Cameron attended the Barkuma Employer Awards ceremony at Government House Adelaide to accept an award on behalf of his employer, Mitre 10. Award winners were identified as organisations that help Barkuma clients reach their full potential through meaningful employment.

Learn more about why inclusive workplaces are important in this Talking Disability article.

Cameron expressed his desire to help people with disability and commented that while they may face additional barriers, they should still reach for their goals and aspirations.

“I strongly believe when it comes to learning, and this is something I experienced for myself, the biggest challenge for them is time,” he said.

Just like anybody else, if they are willing to work hard and put their mind to something, they can achieve anything they want to.” 

 

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