After watching the awe-inspiring competition, the grit, camaraderie, and determination demonstrated by athletes at the recent Tokyo Paralympics, the average Australian could easily forget that discrimination and prejudice still exist for people living with disability. Yet 1.2 billion people across the globe come up against stereotypes and barriers in and outside of the workplace on a daily basis.
Ellie Cole was honoured as the flagbearer at the Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony with a record-breaking 17 Paralympic medals and OAM to her name. An extraordinary athlete, she has overcome injuries and adversity to rise to great heights.
It is with great pride that we announce Ellie Cole as expo ambassador for the 2021 My Future, My Choice Sydney Disability Expo on Friday and Saturday, 3 and 4 December, Sydney Olympic Park.
In collaboration with Invictus Games, UNESCO, and The Valuable 500, Aussie swimmer Ellie Cole is an active member of WeThe15 campaign, a major human rights movement representing the 15 percent of people from around the globe currently living with disability.
Passionate about advocacy, she squeezes in a calendar of advocacy activities and public speaking events in addition to her athlete and sponsorship commitments because she wants to shine a light down the road towards full inclusion. Her zest for life is contagious yet she doesn’t pull the punches, either, about the challenges faced by so many.
In 2020, Ellie featured in Netflix original Rising Phoenix, a documentary exploring the global understanding of disability and the excellence that is encouraged by the Paralympic Games.
“It made me really proud of our Paralympic history. That we as athletes have built on a foundation of so many other athletes that have been told time and time again that they were never going to be athletes. And they just didn’t listen…. We are changing what it means to be different.”
Ellie has been instrumental in a number of global initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, starring in WOWOW Japan’s WHO I Am series, and being invited to speak at the Cannes Lions in 2019 on the subject of diversity and inclusion, not just in sport but in life.
Having lost her right leg at the age of three after a cancer diagnosis, Ellie is now an inspiration to many other young people.
The My Future, My Choice FREE Sydney Disability Expo facilitates choice and empowerment. It links people with a disability with hundreds of local product and service providers and presents a range of informative and interactive presentations delivered by industry experts.
Excited about returning in a face-to-face format for the first time in two years, the Sydney Disability Expo is delivered using COVIDSafe practices and easy navigation using the Whova event app (sent to you in a link 24 hours before the expo starts). You can plot your steps or take the time to explore, message exhibitors and view live presentations on stage while having a cuppa in the café.
Kids entertainment and all-ability performances, a café and breakout areas add to the festival atmosphere.
Ready to put your future into action? Want to be inspired with the options for living your best life? Come along to the Sydney Disability Expo because you will find everyone in the one place:
- Government and advocacy organisation
- Aids and equipment providers
- Financial and legal services
- Education, training, and employment providers
- Social and leisure options
- Transport and vehicles
- Health and medical products and services
- Allied health professionals
- Support services including in home care providers
Come say hi to Ellie at Exhibition Hall 3, Sydney Olympic Park, 3 and 4 December. Complete the attendee form and you will receive automatic updates with all the latest news. Like and follow us on Facebook.