In part three of his four-part series, This Ability, Philip Stephens talks to politician and disability rights advocate, Senator Jordon Steele-John.
In the third installment of This Ability, Philip Stephens continues to highlight stories of individuals who have harnessed their challenges to become beacons of social change. Through thought-provoking interviews with people living with disabilities and their supporters, Philip uncovers both the personal and professional paths of those reshaping the landscape of social justice advocacy. From everyday environments to global platforms, these stories offer powerful reflections on strength, empowerment and the ongoing quest for equality.
Introducing Senator Jordon Steele-John
In 2017, at just 23 years old, Jordon Steele-John made history as the youngest senator ever elected to the Australian Parliament. Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Australia, Steele-John has been a powerful advocate for disability rights. Living with cerebral palsy and using a wheelchair, Steele-John’s personal experiences have shaped his career as one of the most influential voices for marginalised communities.
Representing Western Australia as a member of the Australian Greens, Jordon has taken on key portfolios including Disability Rights and Services, Health and Mental Health, and Peace and Nuclear Disarmament. An outspoken leader in grassroots movements, his advocacy efforts span a wide range of critical issues, from climate action and expanding Medicare to cover mental health care, to tackling ableist practices and promoting youth involvement in politics.
Instrumental in establishing the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability, Jordon has fought fiercely to dismantle systemic barriers that exclude people with disabilities from politics and society at large. A true inspiration to those with disabilities, Jordon represents a new generation of politicians who understand the importance of intersectionality in advocacy, ensuring that voices often left out of mainstream political discourse are heard and respected.
Philip: You began your political career back in 2013. What initially drew you to politics?
Jordon: I never saw anyone like myself in politics. I didn’t know anyone who was a politician growing up and there were certainly no politicians in my family. When I was little I watched politicians like characters on the TV. I engaged with politics, history and dinosaurs to distract me from the challenges my family was facing. I have memories of my family navigating government support systems from very young, to provide us with what we needed to get by when my parents were unable to work and to help provide me with the supports I needed as a disabled kid. I learned pretty early on that navigating those systems requires fierce self advocacy and determination. And even with both of those things in play, it’s not always enough to get you over the line. The experience motivated me to want to be that fierce advocate for others and it also taught me how to do it.
Philip: Since 2018 you’ve been a strong advocate for disability rights in parliament. What are you most proud of to date?
Jordon: I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to bring disability rights to the forefront of parliamentary discussions. One of my proudest achievements is the establishment of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability. This was a crucial step towards acknowledging the systemic issues and starting the process of healing and reform. I’m also extremely proud of my team and the countless disability advocates who have helped me make these things possible over the years. It’s such an incredible privilege to be a representative for and member of the disability community.
Philip: What would it mean if the Government implemented the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission?
Jordon: Implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission would mean a significant shift towards a society that genuinely respects and upholds the rights of people with disabilities. It would involve comprehensive policy changes, increased funding for support services, and a cultural shift towards greater inclusion and respect. It would also mean justice for those who have suffered and a commitment to ensuring such abuses never happen again, and mark the end of the segregation disabled people currently experience in our education, housing and employment systems.
Philip: As someone who uses a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, accessibility is a personal issue for you. What improvements do you believe are essential to make public spaces more wheelchair friendly?
Jordon: Prioritising universal design in all new infrastructure projects would be an excellent place to start. Things like entrances, pathways and bathrooms tend to still be issues in a lot of public buildings. Making public transport more inclusive by ensuring all vehicles, stops and stations are accessible would also go a long way for a lot of disabled people, including and beyond wheelchair users.
I think awareness is a big piece of the puzzle that isn’t always as much a part of the conversation as it should be. It’s great to see increasing public awareness about things like accessible gigs and festivals for disabled people and sensory spaces for example. We’ve still got a long way to go though.
Philip: How accessible is Parliament House in all aspects? For instance, is there an accessible bathroom? Was there anything not accessible when you first entered politics?
Jordon: Parliament House has made strides towards accessibility, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. On my first day at work as a Senator I couldn’t get into the building or the Senate chamber because of inaccessibility. At the time I joined, I was the youngest Senator ever elected so I already felt like there were a lot of eyes on me. The accessibility issues in addition to that did make me feel pretty spotlighted. However overall I do think it was a good and really important thing because it drew a lot of attention to the accessibility of the building. The structure of the place makes it pretty clear that there was an assumption made that disabled people would not hold those positions of power. I’d like to see us get to the point where we don’t have to wait until a disabled person is elected to make the space accessible for them, especially considering that access needs can be really different from person to person. Making the building accessible to one disabled person at a time is not going to guarantee access for others.
Philip: What advice would you give to someone that wants to step into politics?
Jordon: My advice would be to stay true to your values and never underestimate the collective power of grassroots activism. Politics can be challenging and sometimes disheartening, but it’s essential to remember why you started and who you’re fighting for. Build a strong support network, stay informed, and don’t be afraid to speak up and challenge the status quo. Your lived experience is a powerful tool for change, and we need diverse perspectives in politics to create a more equitable society.
Philip: What has been your biggest challenge during your career? And, where did you draw inspiration to overcome this adversity?
Jordon: Managing the travel and schedule that comes with the role as a disabled person can be pretty challenging and draining at times. At times when those things start to get to me, I draw motivation from the incredible resilience and strength of the disability community and from my support networks and team around me. Seeing the positive impact of our advocacy and the changes we’ve been able to achieve fuels me. Knowing that our efforts are making a real difference in people’s lives is what drives me to keep pushing forward.
Philip: Being born in England, what attracted you to Australian politics?
Jordon: Although I was born in England, I moved to Australia as a baby. While I’m connected to my English heritage through my family, Australia is and has been my home for as long as I can remember. I was drawn to Australian politics because it directly shapes the decisions that impact my community. That said, I have always been interested in politics globally. It’s important to have a strong understanding of international politics, history and human rights movements, in order to best contextualise our political landscape and the issues we face at home.
Philip: What’s something that I haven’t asked that you're dying to talk about?
Jordon: One topic I’m passionate about is intersectionality within the disability community. Often, discussions about disability rights don’t fully capture the diverse experiences of people who belong to multiple marginalised groups, such as disabled women, people of colour, gender diverse people, First Nations people and members of the queer community. It’s crucial to recognise as disabled people, we usually hold multiple identities at once and that the culmination of these identities impacts our experience of being disabled. For example, holding any of these identities is likely to significantly impact a disabled person's experiences with the justice, education and medical system.
Philip: Lastly, what’s something exciting that’s happened to you recently in your life, either professionally or personally?
Jordon: I recently spoke at Boorloo’s first ever Disability Pride Festival. The attendance was amazing and the whole space absolutely oozed with joy. I’ve wanted to see a celebration like that for disabled folks in my electorate for a long time. I’ve been thrilled to see the growing awareness and embodiment of disability pride within the disabled community and that event felt like the peak of a lot of people’s hard work and advocacy. On a personal level, discovering and learning more about disability pride was completely transformative for me. I want to help give as many other disabled people that opportunity for discovery as possible.
A Champion of Equality and Inclusion
Senator Jordon Steele-John’s dedication to disability rights and social justice has made him a powerful voice for change. From leading the charge for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability to advocating for accessible and inclusive policies, Jordon has reshaped the landscape of political advocacy for marginalised communities. A tireless campaigner and passionate advocate, Jordon reminds us that real change is often driven by those who understand the challenges firsthand.
In the fourth and final instalment of This Ability, Philip Stephens sits down with John Giampino, a former army veteran whose life took a dramatic turn after being medically discharged following 31 years of service. Facing the loss of identity and self-worth, John’s story highlights the challenges many veterans face as they transition to civilian life. John talks about his advocacy work as an Ambassador of the IGY6 Foundation, the power of resilience, and the importance of community in overcoming adversity.
Inspired by these conversations? Check out Philip Stephens’s memoir, My Lucky Break: The True Story of a Daredevil Quadriplegic, which shares his remarkable story of resilience, optimism and adventure. Learn more at iamphilipstephens.com.
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