Building Community Support [Nov 21st Episode]

Ruby Sturt

Alright, let’s just jump in. When we’re talking about disability inclusion, "community" often gets tossed around like it’s just a feel-good buzzword. But in my experience, it’s where the real action happens—tiny moments, not massive headlines, yeah? Like, after growing up with my siblings Sam and Tash, I learned fast that local supports can make or break a week for someone with a disability.

Eric Marquette

Absolutely, Ruby. There's this foundational piece often overlooked: local programs and infrastructure. Take something like Melbourne’s adaptive sports leagues. Just the fact those exist and are visible? It sends a strong signal that everyone’s welcome to, you know, get on the field—literally or not. It’s not just about ramps and lifts—which, of course, are crucial—but actual participation and belonging.

Ruby Sturt

Oh, totally. Actually, this reminds me—back at uni, there was a student-run initiative to make the campus more accessible. It started out as five people and a petition, just wanting smoother paths. But then it snowballed into ramps at every lecture hall, and even tactile campus maps. And people who never considered themselves “activists,” suddenly they were asking “Hey, are we missing anything?” It made accessibility contagious in, like, the best way.

Eric Marquette

That’s the magic, isn’t it? Once people see how inclusion works—even in small-scale environments—it normalizes the conversation. You stop thinking of accessibility as a tick-box exercise. Suddenly it’s just... part of what it means to be a good neighbor. That foundation sets the stage for everything else a community can do.

Eric Marquette

Speaking of doing, let’s move to mobilizing people and resources. Because let’s face it, even with the best intentions, nothing happens without hands on deck. I worked with a local NGO a couple years back—what we called the “buddy system,” right?—basically pairing up volunteers with disabled attendees at public events. The results were honestly brilliant. It’s not just about assistance, it’s companionship, and it really chips away at that sense of isolation.

Ruby Sturt

Yes, yes! And awareness is at the core. Look at the #WeAreAble project over in the UK. Social media, posters, school events—the works. Their aim was dead simple: get people thinking about ability instead of disability. You saw teachers, sports clubs, small businesses—all suddenly talking about how they could be more welcoming. Even my aunt, who lives in Newcastle, started using the hashtag in her knitting group! That’s the sort of ripple effect we love.

Eric Marquette

And when organizations actually get their hands dirty and reach out, it encourages ordinary people to step in too. I might be wrong about this, but there's something uniquely motivating when you see familiar faces—your neighbors, your rugby teammates—getting involved. It feels less like "charity" and more like just showing up for each other. Mobilization really is about visibility and invitation, not a top-down direction.

Ruby Sturt

Exactly. And if you make it a bit fun—even just a barbecue fundraiser or, I dunno, a mural-painting day—suddenly you’re recruiting volunteers who’d never thought they had something to offer. Most people just need an excuse to join in and—where was I going with this? Oh, right—once they do, they rarely stop at one event.

Ruby Sturt

Here’s where I reckon a lot of groups trip up—not just starting, but actually keeping those networks alive. It’s easy to have a launch party. Harder to show up again and again, ask how things are going, and tweak what doesn’t work. That’s why peer support groups are golden. There's the AccessAbility Collective—started small, now they’re running monthly check-ins, workshops, even digital meetups. Members actually shape the agenda, so it’s not just lip service.

Eric Marquette

Feedback is everything. If you don’t take input from disabled community members, support programs just get stale or, worse, become irrelevant. I mean, have you ever seen a group that launches with great fanfare, only to fade out because they stick to a set script from day one—never guessing needs might change?

Ruby Sturt

Oh, for sure! And I‘ve totally messed this up before, thinking I knew what people needed. Then the feedback rolls in and—it’s humbling, right? Sometimes they’ll say, “Actually, what we want isn’t another meeting, it’s a WhatsApp group, or a quiet hour at the library.” You gotta adapt. It’s like gardening: you keep weeding, pruning, checking the soil, seeing what grows.

Eric Marquette

We can debate whether evaluation should be formal—with surveys and all that—or informal, just regular check-ins over tea. But either way, listening remains at the centre. It’s what lets you keep evolving and makes sure your support network can weather big shifts—like budget cuts or changing community needs.

Eric Marquette

This brings us right up to the policy level. It’s all well and good having great grassroots momentum, but what happens when you hit the city council, or that massive pile of forms at the transport office? Policies decide if those ramps or support workers actually happen—and if they stick around.

Ruby Sturt

My heart rate actually goes up every time I talk policy (laughs), but it’s true. If councils or local governments don’t bake accessibility into their processes, people get left out. I think back to my debate comp days—winning was fun, but the real prize was having a council member listen when we pitched transport changes. That's what kicked off a proper dialogue. Partnerships and policy reviews can’t just be checkbox exercises—they need to be co-designed with folks who’ve lived experience. Otherwise, you wind up with beautiful ramps... that go nowhere.

Eric Marquette

And policy, done well, actually accelerates what the community’s already trying to do. Continuous feedback loops—like town hall Q&As or review forums—catch problems early and let residents steer the ship, not just watch from the sidelines. Including disabled people at every step, it keeps things both flexible and grounded in reality.

Ruby Sturt

I still get tangled in the jargon, but those feedback loops? They matter. Policy isn’t perfect; it has to shift as life shifts. If you listen and adapt, inclusivity can actually become routine—just the same way you change bus schedules when daylight savings hits. Bit by bit, tweaks and partnerships build a long-term culture of access, not just a one-off fix.

Ruby Sturt

Alright, final piece—tech! I mean, we could do a whole episode on this. Actually, we sort of have, if you go back to our "Connected Voices" one. But digital tools are game changers: I’ve seen communities roll out simple resource hubs online, or use apps that help people with visual impairments navigate events. Even something as basic as a Zoom virtual support group? Total lifeline for folks who can’t make it in person.

Eric Marquette

Right. And it doesn’t need to be complicated. Communities can partner with tech companies for training days, or pull in volunteers to run crash-courses on accessible apps. When everyone’s involved, the digital divide starts to shrink a little. I recall a project—was it Manchester or Bristol?—anyway, they built a navigation app tailored to accessible venues, with direct input from disabled users.

Ruby Sturt

Oh yeah, I heard about that one! And it works because real people gave feedback as features were added. Plus, just showing people what's possible can spark ideas. A knitting group might start a WhatsApp chat for updates, or a care team could run online check-ins. Like—tech is a tool, not the destination; it’s only as useful as the community adopting it.

Eric Marquette

If you’re listening and thinking, “We’re not techy,” don’t worry—start small. Even local libraries can help folks learn new platforms. The key is, digital inclusion is community inclusion now. It opens doors for connection and for sharing solutions that travel way beyond your postcode.

Ruby Sturt

Alright, we should wrap up! If you’re part of a community, remember: every tiny step—volunteering, advocating, spreading knowledge—builds support and possibility. And, er, if tech scares you? Trust me, I still type most notes on a 1950s typewriter, but you’ll get there.

Eric Marquette

Thanks for tuning in, everyone. We’ll keep diving into practical tips and real stories in future episodes. Ruby, always a pleasure swapping stories with you.

Ruby Sturt

Right back at you, Eric. And to everyone listening—go easy, look after your village, and we’ll catch you next time on Beyond the Label. Bye!

Eric Marquette

Goodbye all, take care.