The importance of developing your own identity, particularly of a person with a “difference”- be it disability, LGBTIQ, gender- can’t be underestimated. There is something about being with people just like you that removes a massive weight off your shoulders, and allows you to concentrate on being YOU, rather than concentrating way too hard on trying to fit in and not to have the ‘difference” interfere in your interactions and relationships with people. Even if you put as many supports in place to make you and your ‘difference’ fit into society, there will still be that ‘otherness’ that will forever be the elephant in the room. Supports are very necessary for people with disabilities to get the same quality of education, access to the same jobs, and access to the community in general, but identity development cannot be ‘purchased’.
We will hear arguments for and against this statement by two debate teams!
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DARU is auspiced by DAV and VCOSS with funding from the Victorian Government Office for Disability
