Side Event: 18th Conference of the States Parties of the CRPD
10 June 2025
Megan Spindler-Smith (Deputy-CEO, PWDA) and Tahlia-Rose Vanissum (Woppaburra Woman and First Nations Disability and Gender Justice Advocate) led an interactive discussion on Monday 9 June with attendees reflecting on the speakers' experiences and discussing possible ways forward.
The event opened with a welcome from Megan Spindler-Smith, CEO of PWDA, who acknowledged the colonial history of the lands the panelists were joining from and the enduring strength of First Nations peoples. Megan then introduced the artwork, "Keeping" by Deaf artist Daniel McDonald, as a symbolic reflection of connection and shared struggle.
Three First Nations speakers then shared their personal experiences:
Angela Brown
Angela, a Ngiyampaa/Wailwan/Ngemba woman with musculoskeletal disease, described a lifetime of workplace discrimination and exclusion in both government and private sectors. She shared how her disability was used to deny her opportunities, isolate her, and devalue her contributions. Angela spoke about being "deskilled," denied reasonable adjustments, and overlooked for culturally relevant roles due to racist and ableist assumptions-highlighting how systemic exclusion in workplaces can be a form of restrictive practice.
Justen Thomas
Justen, a First Nations man with cognitive disability, reflected on his experiences in juvenile justice institutions from the age of 12. He described being forcibly medicated, denied contact with family, and placed in an isolating system that failed to support his disability or culture. He spoke about the lifelong impacts of this trauma-including the loss of peers to abuse and neglect-and emphasized the need for early intervention and culturally safe support systems outside of institutions.
Daniel McDonald
Daniel, a proud deaf Aboriginal gay man, shared his experiences of being silenced and isolated in both childhood and adulthood. He described restrictive practices in employment, including being placed in a call centre without communication support during the COVID pandemic. Through his art and advocacy, Daniel illustrated how intersectionality-being deaf, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+-amplified barriers and trauma. He also discussed his hospital experience of being left unsupported for over 70 hours, further demonstrating systemic neglect.
The session ended with a call to action: to listen deeply, expand our understanding of restrictive practices beyond clinical or institutional settings, and work together to dismantle the systems that perpetuate harm. Speakers emphasised the importance of centring First Nations voices in reform efforts and ensuring that community-led, culturally appropriate alternatives are prioritised.
Stay tuned as PWDA continues to represent and advocate throughout COSP18.
