This week the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at UNSW Sydney celebrates its 40th birthday!
I have been working at the SPRC for about 3 years now.
I am part of the Disability Research Team and worked on many research and policy evaluation projects around disability.
I particularly enjoyed working with and contributing to diverse disability perspectives such as people with disability from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Auslan (Australian sign language) users.
My time at the SPRC has given me many amazing opportunities like meeting people from different communities, organisations and governments.
I also was able to travel around Australia and work in amazing national projects such as Review of the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and NDIS Peer Support Review.
Recently, I have been working with others to make reports accessible such as Easy Read reports, text only for screen readers and videos in Auslan. You can check them out there: https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/sprc/research/accessible-reports
Now I am doing my PhD there. I am pleased to have Karen R Fisher as one of my PhD supervisors. She has been supportive since the day I came to the SPRC over 3 years ago. My other supervisors are Dr Charlotte Smedley and Dr Ayxem Eli.
My PhD topic focuses on Muslim women in Australia with hearing loss. This is a personal topic for me since I am an Australian Muslim woman with hearing loss myself!
Throughout my work and studying, I have faced many challenges. Not many people are aware of different needs and access.
I am glad to be working in a very supportive place that respects everyone’s differences. The people I have worked with at the SPRC are mostly encouraging and supportive. Even the people I met through working together on projects and at conferences and other events are wonderful.
It is important for people with disability who work or study to feel respected, comfortable and have the support and access they need to strive.
I am always grateful for my time at the SPRC and everything I’ve learnt professionally and personally. More importantly, the supportive people at SPRC made a huge difference.
Happy 40th Birthday SPRC!
Check out my profile and publications:
https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/our-people/ayah-wehbe-0
Also check out my other blogs here: