CPActive Champions meet key politician to step up Blaze the Trail campaign

Members of CPActive’s ‘Blaze the Trail’ working group have stepped up the campaign for inclusive education and employment policies in a meeting with the Hon Kate Washington MP, Minister for Disability Inclusion.

CPActive Champions Marusha Rowe, Nicole Kozelj, Riley Saban and Saranna Schultz, joined by CPActive lead Teigan Butchers, met Minister Washington and key staff at the MP’s ministerial offices in the Sydney CBD this week to put the ‘Blaze the Trail’ campaign back on the political agenda.

The meeting covered a broad range of topics in education and employment, centered on the lived experience of the CPActive Champions and their personal journeys as young people with CP.

Minister Washington highlighted several areas of progress and updated the Champions on the work being done in the disability space – including the state’s response to the recently-completed NDIS Review, upcoming reforms to the scheme and the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into disability in educational settings.

Even a fire alarm and interruption from the fire brigade couldn’t prevent the hour-long meeting, which enabled the Champions to also have a brief meeting with Steve Kamper MP, Minister for Sport, Small Business and Multiculturalism.

“It was great for our meeting to be heard in the meeting with Minister Washington. I’m looking forward to the next planned meeting to ensure the successful progression of ‘Blaze the Trail’,” said Riley Saban, a 23-year-old disability advocate and start-up founder.

Riley, who journeyed from Coffs Harbour for the meeting, has CP quadriplegia and communicated throughout the meeting using eye-gaze technology.

The meeting follows the relaunch of Blaze the Trail last month, which has resulted in our campaign petition surpassing 1,000 signatures and more than 10,000 people viewing our explainer video across social media.

“The ‘Blaze the Trail’ campaign continues to burn bright, [and] their voices are so important to the work we’re doing in government, to create a more accessible and inclusive NSW,” said Minister Washington.

“Many thanks to Cerebral Palsy Alliance for backing these talented young people to become confident advocates and leaders.”

The next step? Our CPActive Champions will continue to campaign for meaningful change – and you can support us and keep up to date by joining our CPActive community here.

CPActive Champions and CPA staff pose for a photograph in front of NSW Parliament before meeting Kate Washington MP.