Amir Brand-Abdi - Victorian Disability Advisory Council Member

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I grew up in a culture with different ideas about disability. Society either felt there is shame o your family or a blessing from God where God testing your family. That was where my advocacy started. I became blind out of medical negligence, and I can’t change that. I’m Kurdish-Iranian-Australian and English is my third language. I’ve been proud of what I’ve been able to achieve. I’ve been studying psychology, learning English language and working in construction. I’m also an elite athlete. I play blind soccer and goal ball. I achieved a lot – sometimes because of my disability and sometimes in spite of it.

Being on VDAC is important to me. At the end of my term, I’d like to look back and see three or four things we have achieved. I’d like to see access to education for all persons with disability including going on camps and excursions with schools. Having disabled students excluded from camps – it just breaks my heart.

I’d like to see a universal companion card that works the same across the states, so that makes travel easier. I’d like to see multipurpose taxis operate at the national level too. Of course, access to all public transport is important.

Updated 1 May 2023

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Amir Brand-Abdi - Victorian Disability Advisory Council Member

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