Our speakers
Duck
My name is Duck. I am 19 years old and I use they/them pronouns. I like spending my time dancing, doing jigsaw puzzles and hanging out with friends. My favourite animal is the Umbrella Cockatoo, though ducks are still a close second. I am studying Linguistics at uni, which is about the structure of languages and how they evolve over time.
Being autistic is a big part of my identity, as well as my experiences with mental illness. I am on a journey of embracing my identity as disabled, and learning to advocate for myself and my needs. Through this journey, I have had the opportunity to work with various organisations in the disability sector: including PwDWA, CYDA, WADSA, and now YDAN! My favourite part is the supportive community I've found and the knowledge I get from listening to other people's experiences.
Lauren
Lauren is a young person who is passionate about creating better and more inclusive opportunities for other people living with disability. She uses her lived experience with a number of disabilities by advocating on committees including the WA Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Youth Advisory Committee and the 2020 National Youth Disability Summit Co-design Committee.
Lauren loves playing wheelchair basketball and has played in state teams and the Under 25’s Women’s Australian teams. She studies Commerce at Curtin University. Lauren is currently a mentor on the Disability Empowerment Project Nothing Without Us at YDAN. She currently volunteers at the Telethon Community Cinemas.