REBECCA Kelly knows how much the Disability Discrimination Act has helped change the lives of people with a disability and their families.
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The Bendigo mother of two autistic children has dedicated much of the past five years to raising awareness of the issues facing families with children on the autism spectrum.
Mrs Kelly put her experiences into a short film, from finding out her children, Audrey, 5, and Patrick, 3, were on the autism spectrum, to beginning Phoenix FM’s radio program Real People ASD Talk.
The film was shown at the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Twenty Years Twenty Stories launch at Admiralty House in Kirribilli on March 1.
Mrs Kelly was one of 20 filmmakers from around the country to contribute a short film to celebrate 20 years since the Disability Discrimination Act came into effect in Australia.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes and Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin launched the event at Governor-General Quentin Bryce’s home.
Mrs Kelly said it was an honour to attend the evening with her mother as her date.
“It was just such an amazing experience to go with my mum,” she said.
“It was just brilliant to be part of something so amazing and to be in the residence of the governor-general. It was amazing to meet her.”
Mrs Kelly said the film would not have happened without the help of producing partner Noah’s Ark.
The film can be seen at http://humanrights.gov.au/twentystories/index.html??.