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People are never just one thing. We all belong to more than one community. Our identities overlap and impact one another. For example, a woman with disabilities belongs to at least two communities: the community of women and the community of people with disabilities. How can she cope with and celebrate the overlap of these two identities?
The identities of people with disabilities are never just about disability. Like everyone else, people with disabilities have many ties and affinities. These things are important to us and make us who we are.
A person with a disability may be:
Seen from this perspective, intersections of identity make life rich and exciting. We can recognise what we share with others and how we differ.
You should be proud of who you are. If you've been misunderstood, speak up about it. You could say, "What happens to me is not the same as what happens to you. It's more like..."
Imagine a woman who has a disability and a low income. Perhaps she lives below the poverty line. She might:
Now imagine a woman who has a disability but a high income. Her experiences are likely similar in some ways to the woman above but not identical. Intersectionality helps us recognise how we overlap with others and how we are different. Even people who are part of the same community remain individuals. One of the things we share with others is our uniqueness!
Organisations and individuals aware of intersectionality can begin to see how people with one shared identity (e.g. a disability) may have different experiences of discrimination.The best way to do this is to listen.
We may become more:
Cal and her friend identify as LGBTQIA+. They love to go to the annual pride parade in their community. Cal has a disability that affects her mobility. At the pride parade, Cal quickly gets tired and needs to rest. She misses out on some of the activities that her non-disabled friend enjoys. However, another friend of Cal's who has a similar disability tells Cal about a place in the city where she can rest and recharge. After a break, Cal rejoins her friend at the pride parade.
This section is about empowerment and wellbeing. Here, you can find information and tools to help you get the most out of life. You can learn about healthy relationships and setting boundaries. We also share ideas about how to cope when life is hard.
Find out moreThis page explains two United Nations Conventions signed by Australia. Both impact us. One is an agreement about disability rights. The other is an agreement about women's rights.
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