Olivia Sidhu is a health ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia (DSA).
As a result of being a Health Ambassador, Olivia was chosen to travel to New York to represent DSA at the United Nations at – COSP16 in June 2023.
What is COSP16?
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provides a framework for all nations, describing the rights of persons with disabilities and setting out processes and expectations to maintain and secure these rights.
Although the CRPD does not create new rights, it specifically prohibits discrimination against people with disability in all areas of life.
On 30 March 2007, Australia was one of the original state signatories to the CRPD. On 17 July 2008 and 30 July 2009 sequentially, Australia ratified the CRPD.
Australia implements the CRPD through legislation, policy, and programs
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 aims to ensure people with disability have the same rights to equality before the law as the rest of the community.
In line with Australia’s commitments under the UN CRPD, Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (The Strategy) plays an important role in protecting, promoting, and realising the human rights of people with disability.
The Strategy sets out a plan agreed to by all levels of government (Australian, state, territory and local) to improve the lives of people with disability. The 50 articles contained in the CRPD flow through to the policy priorities of the Strategy and, in addition, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Commonwealth commitments, including funding for the Disability Representative Organisations and other state and territories’ commitments, are all mechanisms in meeting CRPD requirements.
Australian Government, disabled peoples organisations and disability advocacy organisation representatives attend the annual Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the CRPD.
The COSP provides an opportunity for Australia to engage in dialogue with other nations and connect individuals and organisations with best practice ideas around mechanisms to secure and advance the rights of persons with disabilities.
Olivia Sidhu at the United Nations
Oliva told In the Cove:
“I presented at the closing remarks at the Civil Society Forum and spoke about my job as a Health Ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia and making a difference as a self-advocate, and this is what I said: Accessibility, inclusion and communication help us to be an active part in our own lives and our communities. Making the world we live in more accessible allows us to be more independent, reach our full potential and allows us to make a positive contribution to the world around us.”
I was also part of a panel presentation by Inclusion International and Down Syndrome International and talked about easy-to-understand communication.
I also spoke at the General Assembly, about my role as a Health Ambassador and being a self-advocate, and this is what I said: My colleagues and I advocate for positive change and better health outcomes for all people with intellectual disability. We are teaching health professionals to work with us and not just for us.”
Oliva also attended a function at the Australian Consulate and told the function being a Health Ambassador is about asking healthcare professionals to include people with Down syndrome in our conversations about their own health.”
If you would like to know more about COSP, take a look at the easy-read explainer produced by Inclusion International here.
Olivia Featured in an ABC Article
In 2021 Olivia was featured in an ABC article about the barriers people living with disability face when trying to find employment. Olivia said: “Having a job that pays a proper wage is the “greatest achievement” of her life.” Read the article here and be inspired by Olivia. Well done, Olivia!!
Our cover photo is Olivia Sidhu with the Federal Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth.
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