Welcome to the Ability Allies Community of Practice
The Ability Allies Community (AACoP) will support and empower engineers with disabilities and diverse abilities by creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive community and platform for them to share, grow, and thrive. AACoP will also enable the profession’s provision of ‘accessible to all’ solutions through engineering excellence by serving as the body of knowledge for benchmarking accessible engineering practice.
Supporting Engineers with Disabilities and Diverse Abilities
Engineers Australia supports a diverse workforce. With Ability Allies, we align with the social model of disability, which states that "disability is not caused by a person's impairments but by the barriers present in society". This approach also aligns with the Australian National Disability Strategy which emphasises breaking down societal barriers to create an inclusive environment for all. We acknowledge that not all people with diverse or differing abilities or chronic conditions self-identify as a person with a disability. This community supports all engineers with disabilities and/or diverse abilities, regardless of their self-identity.
Why Accessibility Matters in Engineering Practice
Engineers play a unique role in addressing societal challenges, particularly in creating solutions that are accessible to all. By prioritising accessibility, engineers contribute to developing systems, products, and infrastructure that cater to a broad spectrum of needs, from physical and cognitive disabilities to temporary or situational limitations.
Accessibility is an integral part of sustainability, aligning with the four pillars of sustainability: social, environmental, economic, and cultural. Social sustainability ensures inclusivity, equity, and access to essential services. In this context, accessible engineering solutions are fundamental to fostering a society where everyone can participate fully and equitably.
Prioritising accessibility in engineering leads to better, more inclusive, and more sustainable solutions that benefit both society and businesses.
How You Can Get Involved
The AACoP welcomes input and involvement from the broader community of practitioners. Ways that you can help drive the success and value of AACoP are:
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Become a member. Membership is free to all interested professionals and members of the public.
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Volunteer to contribute to a webinar or podcast as a host or guest panelist by emailing the AACoP Coordinator with a short biography and a brief paragraph of the topic(s) you would like to discuss.
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Join the discussion forums to share your lived experience and/or engineering experience on incorporating accessibility in your field of practice.
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Email relevant links via our Contact Us form to upload publications, journals, news, events, conferences, associations, research, videos, etc.