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Robert Claudie (Aurukun)

Here you can listen to the story of Robert Claudie who is an Indigenous Queenslander with a disability.

Introduction:

Strong and Proud - promoting awareness of the experience of Indigenous people with a disability, thanks to the support of Disability Services Queensland.

Narrator:

Visit Aurukun, and you're likely to meet Robert Claudie, whose everyday life involves overcoming the many obstacles he faces as a person in a wheelchair in a remote community.

Robert Claudie:

"Basic stuff like getting in to the shops and into the office to bank so that you can get your own money. Toilet facilities, they haven't got public toilets you can go in, and basically it's real hard for a person in a wheelchair to live up in the Cape. It's all the same in other communities."

Narrator:

One of the major problems Robert faces is getting around, whether it’s from one community to the other in Cape York, or to and from medical services in Cairns, with a lack of plane services to the Cape that will accommodate people in a wheelchair.

Robert Claudie:

"Very hard. The only option is if your family has a car, you can get them to run you to the so and so community for anything that you want to go to. Basically there's nothing for people with disabilities to get around, only public transport. I went to Cairns for a health check up and I got stranded down there, I had to catch bus back to Cooktown and make my way back up to Coen with family again."

Narrator:

Despite these problems, Robert lives a full and active life.

Robert Claudie:

"I get around a lot, I do a bit of fishing and hunting and mostly it's a family commitment thing - if I want to go hunting my family or my boys want to take me out fishing and hunting."

Narrator:

A great source of information for Indigenous people with a disability in isolated areas of the state is the Disability Information Service. This free service is provided by Disability Services Queensland, and can give you information on government and community based services you can access, such as accommodation, employment, transport, respite care, recreation, independent living and family and lifestyle support. Call them toll-free on 1800 177 120, or on 1800 010 222 if you have a telephone typewriter.