Belong DRC

01/04/2026

On Saturday 11th April at 2pm, comedians are performing to raise funds for the Stella Young documentary: Stella: I Am Not Your Inspiration.

Celebrating much-loved comedian and disability activist – the late, great Stella Young.

Stella’s debut show 'Tales From the Crip' won Best Newcomer at Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2014).

Later that year, her life was cut short, aged just 32. A fierce disability activist, feminist and ground-breaking comedian, Stella was adored across the Australian and international comedy scenes. Her impact remains profound.

This is a not-to-be-missed show of big laughs and heart, raising funds for this important and long-overdue documentary film.

Hosted by the ever-fabulous Reuben Kaye.

Click here to book tickets:

A who’s who of comedy is uniting to raise funds for a documentary celebrating much-loved comedian and disability activist – the late, great Stella Young.

01/04/2026

Posting on behalf of

DRC is looking for people who want to film a short video for the Assume Competence campaign!

Could it be you?

Email [email protected] if you would like to take part!

Alt text: Will you film a video with us? A short video which asks the wider community to 'Assume Competence'
Explain what Assume Competence means to you.
For example: Give me more time to respond
Don't speak over me
Talk TO me not ABOUT me

Email [email protected] if you would like to take part!

30/03/2026

Did you know? Safety for Numbers is our new group dedicated to IN-PERSON events.
We're heading to the comedy festival soon, and if you were keen to join us, please email [email protected].

Alt text: a bright and colourful image with illustrated cartoon groups of people together.

24/03/2026

Do you have any kind of communication needs? Do you have fluctuating speech? Do you have stable speech, with an ongoing communication disability?

Email [email protected] if you'd like to be a part of this!

We're making a video series called 'Assume Competence.'

Assuming Competence means ASSUMING COMPETENCE.

Always assume the person you’re communicating with understands, and has something to say – EVEN IF they communicate differently!

- We want you to record a short video about what Assume Competence looks like to you.
- Please say your name
- Give us a few examples of how people can Assume Competence when they interact with you
- Do you have any stories about when people have, or have not, Assumed Competence?

We can help you film your videos and talk through what you’d like to say.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

To submit your videos please use the Google Drive link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vr4XJRXeRb2gQL2YwmdWiTCXC-FZR-GX

After you have submitted your video, please email us to make sure we know which video is yours!

Image descriptions / Alt Text:
1 Colourful slide with the text DRC is asking for video submissions! Assume Competence. Assume the person in front of you is competent. Treat them with respect.
There are graphics: an illustrated picture of a phone, a heart, and the words: WE WANT YOU!

23/03/2026

"I am disabled. And calling myself disabled has been such a powerful thing."

Read Saffron Canny-Smith's Blog post NOW.
Simply do not wait another minute. https://drc.org.au/being-disabled-changed-my-life-for-the-better-heres-why/

"On the one hand, I felt like I wasn’t deserving of the term, that I wasn’t “disabled enough” (whatever that means!). But I worked hard to remind myself that my illness is very much disabling. It has stopped me working, studying, stopped many of my activities in life. If that’s not disabling, then I don’t know what is!"

Read the full Blog post on the Belong DRC website. https://drc.org.au/blog/

Alt text: 4 small pictures of Saffron taken from their Blog article, sit against a grey background with large text which reads: Being disabled changed my life for the better - here's why.

19/03/2026

"A part of the aim of disability advocacy is to challenge societal norms. I want to ensure the way we are perceived, heard and seen does not affirm or reinforce ableism by making visibility the responsibility of the ill or disabled person."

A beautiful quote from Autumn's Blog Post on the DRC Belong website. Click the link: https://drc.org.au/should-we-be-calling-disabilities-invisible-and-hidden/

19/03/2026

Should we be calling disabilities "invisible"? Autumn Tansey has written a fantastic Blog piece, which is LIVE on the Belong Blog page right now.

"Hiding symptoms or a disability is all too real for many chronically ill and disabled people, as we try to warp ourselves to fit into a world that’s not designed to support us."

Head to our Blog: https://drc.org.au/should-we-be-calling-disabilities-invisible-and-hidden/

Alt text: A shadow cast on a wall, with text over top which reads: Should we be calling disabilities "invisible" and "hidden?" A quote from Autumn reads: "In my experience, the idea that a condition is “invisible”, most of the time is not actually true." The post tells you to Visit our Blog, Belong supported by DRC.

https://drc.org.au/blog/

18/03/2026

If you would like to join us at Oliver Hunter's Comedy show - please go ahead and purchase your ticket! A group of us are attending on Friday 10th April, 6:45pm.

Tickets to Oliver Hunter’s Show: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/oliver-hunter-it-s-all-good/

*We want our events to be accessible, if finances are a barrier to you attending, please message us confidentially.*

Image Description:
Oliver Hunter's show poster for his show 'It's All Good' at Melbourne Comedy Festival.

26/02/2026

The organisers of this comedy show have very kindly created a promo code for us!

Ballarat Comedy Show
Where: Ballarat Performing Arts Centre, 503 Neill St, Soldiers Hill VIC 3350
When: Friday 6th March 8-10pm
Get $10 off tickets with the code: DRC25

Ticket link:
https://events.humanitix.com/ballaratcat-comedy-in-the-chapel-march26

Please note: This is not an official Safety in Numbers outing, but we do know that the venue is mobility accessible. If you have any questions about the comedy show, please reach out to Luke directly: [email protected]