16 December 2016
Ms Michelle Guthrie
Managing Director ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Ultimo Centre
700 Harris Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
Dear Ms Guthrie
I am writing to you in regards to an article published on the ABC news website on 12 December 2016 by Margaret Burin entitled “’It’s like she’s a three-year-old’: What life’s like when your children never grow up”.
I am very disappointed at the portrayal of the two women with intellectual disabilities in this article. The comparison of two adults to being like children further propagates stigma and misunderstanding of intellectual disabilities in Australia.
I am also concerned as to whether these women provided informed consent to be profiled in this way in the ABC article. There are serious issues around human rights, privacy and basic respect for the individuals concerned. It is inappropriate to include photos of people engaging in very personal activities such as showering and dressing without ensuring that they have provided informed consent.
I understand the desire to highlight issues around access to appropriate support for people with disabilities and their families. Obviously, the parents of these two women are having a difficult experience and wanted to share this with the broader community. The journalist involved, however, should have shown appropriate consideration for the adult women with a disability who were included in this story and ensured they had adequate support to consider the implications of taking part in this report.
This story could have been told in a way that promoted the rights of the two women with disabilities as well as describing the experience of the parents. It would have been an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the need for greater supports and services for people with disabilities.
I understand that support for people with intellectual disabilities is a complex issue but it is essential that the ABC does not reinforce stigma and misunderstanding that is currently associated with intellectual disabilities and does not violate the human rights of people with a disability.
I suggest that ABC develop specific standards in relation to stories relating to people with intellectual disabilities. These standards should include consideration of issues such as consent, appropriate language, strategies to support the person with the intellectual disability in participating in interviews and ensuring appropriate portrayal of people with disabilities.
I would be happy to discuss these issues with you or your staff further or to provide input into the suggested standards. Feel free to contact me on
Yours sincerely
Dr Ellen Skladzien
Chief Executive Officer
A 18/71 Victoria Crescent, Abbotsford VIC 3067 | E | P 1300 881 935
W www.downsyndrome.org.au.