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Australia

NSW man born without legs wants electric skateboards legalized as mobility aids for people with disabilities

A man with no legs and one functional arm sits on a skateboard on the breakwall path in front of painted rocks.

Born with no legs and the use of only his right arm, Steve Lyons relies on his skateboard to get around.

“I switched from prosthetic legs, which I’d used from the age of five, to a skateboard at the age of 16 and have used a skateboard ever since,” Mr Lyons said.

A young boy about 3 years old with prosthetic legs
As a young child, Steve wore prosthetic legs to go out, which he used until age 16 when he started using a skateboard.(Supplied: Michael Sheppard)

“I’m now 47 and using my shoulder as a hip for all that time [using a manual skateboard] means that it doesn’t work anymore.”

He now has an electric skateboard, which he said gave him autonomy on a whole new level.

“It’s the holy grail of living with disability — you want that autonomy and being able to do what you want, it’s above independence.”

Prior to the electric skateboard, Mr Lyons said he would have to find a disabled park close to the shopping center so he could get out, move around and get back with relative ease.

“With this thing, I can park anywhere I want where there’s a reasonable parking space and I can go and do what I need to do.” he said.

“I can go from one end of the CBD to another without any problems.”

But despite ordering the electric skateboard through his NDIS funding, it is illegal for Mr Lyons to use it where he lives in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast.

“I know there are a lot of people with physical disabilities who use [electric] skateboards or scooters because they prefer them over wheelchairs, but at the moment anyone that’s using one of those as a mobility aid is breaking the law,” he said.

In most Australian states — except Queensland, the ACT and the Northern Territory — electric skateboards and electric scooters are illegal to use on public roads, footpaths and public recreational areas.

Electric scooters all the same color and make, lined up in a rack along a path.
E-scooters are the only electric PMD allowed in a NSW trial and they must be from the E-scooter Shared Scheme.(Supplied: Mack Male CC image from Flickr)

In NSW, the state government is running a trial in some council areas to allow electric scooters (e-scooters) to be used on designated bike paths and bike lanes with speed restrictions and a minimum age limit of 16 and safety requirements in place.

But Mr Lyons said he was concerned the trial did not consider all electric personal mobility devices (PMDs), including skateboards, or reference their use by people with disabilities.

Steve Lyons has approached his local state MP Leslie Williams about getting electric PMDs, including skateboards, classed as mobility aids for people with a medical condition or disability.

A man with no legs and one arm on a skateboard on a wood floor painted with basketball stadium lines, greyscale.
Steve Lyons on his manual skateboard coaching in the Port Macquarie Roller Derby League.(Supplied: Wild Cherry Photography)

A spokesperson for Ms Williams said she would not comment on individual correspondence, but the ABC understands the MP has been advocating for the devices to be legally recognized as mobility aids for those who need them and that she has met with NSW Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes to discuss the issue.

Transport for NSW told the ABC that it would review “a range of regulations, including the use of e-mobility as medical aids” as the trial progresses.

“We will seek to engage with the community, including people with disabilities, and continue to listen to feedback throughout the trial as they continue to explore the future of e-scooters and e-mobility in the state,” a spokesperson said in a statement .

“In response to a request from Minister Stokes, Transport for NSW will review the potential to include e-mobility devices as medical aids to offer greater and safer choices for people with a disability. This will be completed in the coming months.”

A man with prosthetic legs, wearing shorts and a backpack, walks last a body of water
Steve Lyons tried some test legs again in 2010 but after some back and hip problems he found the skateboard better.(Supplied: Jade Douglas )

Mr Lyons said he wanted it “put in legislation so that in certain circumstances these vehicles are seen as mobility aids the same as an electric wheelchair”.

“Disability and inclusiveness is always tacked on at the end,” he said.

“By having the trials and not including accessible usages for the technology you are doing it again.”

Mr Lyons said he would love for Port Macquarie to adopt the e-trials and see what sort of ability and accessibility needs these vehicles could fill.

A spokesperson for Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) told the ABC in a statement that the PMHC does not plan to participate in the current e-scooter trial.

“While we are certainly interested in the idea of ​​promoting more accessible transport options such as e-scooters in the community, we believe further work is required to improve safety and accessibility of infrastructure for the appropriate use of e-scooters across our region,” the PMHC spokesperson said.

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Categories
Sports

‘Disability isn’t a dirty word’: non-binary Paralympian Robyn Lambird on smashing stereotypes and setting agendas

Robyn Lambird smiles and holds a bronze medal around her neck.

“What happened to you?”

“Jesus can heal you.”

“Can you have sex?”

“You’re pretty for someone in a wheelchair.”

Believe it or not, these are all things Robyn Lambird says strangers have said to them.

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But they’ve embraced their profile as a Paralympian to shatter misconceptions and make their mark on and off the race track.

The beauty in disability and diversity

Lambird is a non-binary wheelchair racer from Perth, and made their Paralympic debut at Tokyo last year, winning a bronze medal in the T34 100m final.

Wheelchair racer Robyn Lambird pumps their fists after winning a bronze medal
Lambird won a bronze medal in their Paralympic debut in Tokyo. (AAP: Drew Chislett)

Their immediate focus is the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where they’ll contest the women’s T33/34 100m.

It will hold special significance for the England-born sprinter to compete in front of family members, including both sets of grandparents, for the first time.

The 25-year-old also competes in the national wheelchair rugby league, studies digital and social media at university, and has built an impressive following online as a content creator and activist.

Lambird’s Instagram account is full of engaging posts, educating, entertaining, and illuminating.

It ranges from fashion tips to training diaries, to important messages around queer pride and disability awareness.

Lambird has cerebral palsy, and one of the clear messages they want to get across is that disability isn’t a dirty word.

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“I think on some level in our society, we still see disability as this inherently negative thing,” Lambird said.

“[The idea that] this tragedy happened to someone and that’s why we shy away from the word disabled, and all of these other euphemisms, differently abled.

“But, to me, the word disabled is a source of pride because I’m proud of who I am now. And everything that I’ve done in my life, I’ve done with my disability, not despite it.

“It’s not our bodies that make us disabled at the end of the day, it’s the opportunities that we don’t have or it’s because the world is not accessible to us.”

Lambird says it’s up to everyone to advocate for people with a disability.

“If you as an able-bodied person go into a cafe, and you realize that it’s inaccessible, maybe ask why that’s the case? Or what can be done to make that environment accessible?,” they said.

“And if you notice that there’s no disabled people in your workplace, maybe you should be questioning that, why isn’t there opportunities for people with disabilities to get into those spaces?”

Role model for queer community

Lambird is also passionate about standing up for the queer community, something which has taken more prominence since they became the first out non-binary athlete to win a Paralympic medal in Tokyo.

“I think afterwards, I realized how important that was… in terms of helping other people to feel welcome in the sporting environment and to know that they have a future in the sport, if that’s what they want, and that they can they can be themselves,” they said.

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“That’s the thing that I really love about sport is it has this opportunity to bring people together to create this great sense of community.”

Lambird’s positive experiences in sport started in wheelchair rugby, which is a mixed gender sport.

Robyn Lambird in action playing wheelchair rugby.
Lambird also plays wheelchair rugby at a national level.(Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT: Karen Watson)

They think it’s worth exploring whether more sports can follow its lead, to make it more inclusive for trans and gender diverse people.

“I just think everyone should have the opportunity to go to reap the benefits of sport, both mentally and physically,” they said.

“Sport has changed my life and has given me so many things, and I couldn’t imagine not being in the position that I am now.

“So I think we really just need to start sitting down and having conversations about how we can open that up to everyone and ensure that everyone feels like they have a place.”

There is no normal: finding a community online

Social media is an important part of Lambird’s life, giving them the opportunity to tell their own story, which is often overlooked by the mainstream media.

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“Any media that focuses on disability and tries to accurately portray that experience is important, but the people that really know what it’s like to live with a disability and to navigate the world as a disabled person are disabled people.

“And having that opportunity to take control of that narrative, and to show what disability looks like for us, and what is our truth, it’s incredibly important.”

Lambird still has a long sporting career ahead of them, but they have an eye on the future as well, and their ability to create lasting change.

“I think I always just find the beauty in diversity. Diversity is one of the world’s greatest teachers, I think we can learn so much about the world and our place in it just by listening to others,” they said.

“I’ve been very lucky to find an amazing community online and on social media, people that are just trying to lift each other up regardless of their gender or sexuality or their disability.

“And I think it’s challenging that idea that, there is not normal.”

Lambbird will compete in the T33/34 women’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday August 3 AEST.

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Categories
Entertainment

Artists and performers with disabilities given mainstream platform in regional town

Artists and performers with disabilities given mainstream platform in regional town

Vincent Worlters remembers the moment his dreams of being a professional musician were initially crushed.

“As a young man, I was being trained to be an opera singer, but life got in the way with the onset of my disability, which was quite profoundly disabling,” Mr Worlters said.

“And basically, it destroyed my opportunities to be a professional singer.”

Despite his diagnosis, Mr Worlters was determined music would remain a big part of his life.

“The only breath I got from my horrible illness was to grab my guitar and sing and then the symptoms would come to a stop.”

Man in a floral shirt and vest smiles at the camera with green and purple stage curtains in the background
Vincent Worlters did not realize his love of acting until he joined a disability theater group.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

A new inclusive arts program on the NSW mid-north coast has now given Mr Worlters a chance to live out his dreams on stage.

The Wauchope Regional Art Program, also known as WRAP, is designed to assist artists with disabilities to build their confidence and skills. It connects them with professional artists so they can participate in the mainstream industry.

Mr Worlters joined WRAP’s theater class, along with Steph Smith and Kirsty Georges.

“The acceptance is really quite beautiful,” he said.

“Groups like this give me an opportunity, whereas nothing else will.”

Two men sing together while sitting on a stage, two women dance in the background
The WRAP theater group rehearsed for weeks with mentor Ian Castle.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

The trio is mentored by singer and musician Ian Castle.

“It’s this collaborative effort building on the strengths they have as individuals and myself inspiring them to try other things,” Mr Castle said.

The theater group performed on stage at a mainstream arts festival in the region called ArtWalk in front of a crowd of spectators.

It was a dream come true for the close-knit team.

“When the audience gets behind you, your whole performance totally lifts to a whole new level,” Mr Worlters said.

“You can see it in their faces, or the cheers, and their claps. It’s really uplifting.”

Audience watches performers on stage as the sun sets behind them on a river
WRAP groups performed at Port Macquarie’s ArtWalk event, which attracts thousands of spectators.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

Kirsty Georges said her parents and family were “stoked” about the program and her performance.

“I feel it inside my chest. I feel happy,” she said.

And it is not just stage performers who have thrived in the inclusive program.

Artists celebrate inclusion

Creating visual art has always been a source of joy for Kerri Cains but, due to her intellectual disability, she often found it hard to be taken seriously.

“I’ve always had trouble with reading and writing and maths skills,” Ms Cains said.

“But it’s always been a passion of mine to do art.”

Lady in floral shirt stands in front of colorful art work.
Kerri Cains is over the moon to have her artwork on display at a local gallery.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

Ms Cains said she was over the moon to be involved in the Wauchope Regional Art Program and its workshops.

“It’s hard to find places sometimes that are so inclusive,” Ms Cains said.

“In this art class, in particular, we don’t feel like we’re just put on the side … it’s actual artists actually teaching you how to do it and they treat you like they would treat everybody else.”

Two women in floral shirts stand in an art gallery looking at pieces of art work on a table.
Graphic designer and mentor Michele Kaye worked with Kerri Cains to develop the WRAP logo.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

Thanks to WRAP, Ms Cains’ work has been displayed front and center at Wauchope Art Gallery as part of the ArtWalk event.

“I can show my family and my friends and everybody in town will see my artwork,” she said.

“It’s just good to see that disability and the arts are coming together in such an amazing way.”

Ms Cains was paired with and mentored by graphic designer Michele Kaye.

“It’s beautiful, its humbling, its real, it’s life. It’s what everyone should be seeing day by day,” Ms Kaye said.

Two women in floral shirts stand side by side and smile with artwork in the background
Michele Kaye says she loved every moment of mentoring Kerri Cains.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

Artists’ skills ‘skyrocket’

WRAP was established by the Wauchope Community Arts Council, through an NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Grant.

Project coordinator Vicky Mackey said WRAP was started due to a lack of similar services on the Mid North Coast.

“Even though we have a very busy arts community, they weren’t connecting with people with disabilities,” she said.

“Disabled artists were segregated.”

Woman in white and red costume performs on stage, under a blue light
WRAP theater group member Steph Smith performed a solo show on stage.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

Ms Mackey said it was fantastic the group had been given its first mainstream platform at ArtWalk.

“It’s the first time that a lot of them have got to perform in public,” she said.

“The growth in their confidence and just the way they hold themselves, the ability to communicate with strangers, it’s skyrocketed.”

Woman with blonde hair and green jacket smiles at the camera, with artwork behind her
WRAP project coordinator Vicky Mackey was inspired by her own daughter’s disability.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

Ms Mackey said she was inspired by her own daughter who has a disability.

“I always try to have the best for her, living the best life she can, and that’s what it’s all about — giving these guys an opportunity,” she said.

“In art, it’s not about being perfect or the best. It’s about the passion and the joy that the person can show in their artwork or their dance.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect and that’s great — life’s not perfect.”

Crowd of people watch performance with buildings and palm trees in the background
The WRAP performances attracted a large crowd at Port Macquarie’s ArtWalk event.(ABC Mid North Coast: Madeleine Cross)

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