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Kathy Knowles

Kathy is standing in her office with work files in a red suit glasses and smiling.

Kathy Knowles

My name is Kathy Knowles and even though I have Down Syndrome this hasn’t stopped me from being educated and working.

I went to Hills Special School in Sydney from years 1-12. This is a school for people with all kinds of disabilities. From 1995 to 1997 I was the school captain. Being able to go school was important as it meant that now I am able to work. Even while I was at school I completed work experience programs in New South Wales.

Since moving to Queensland I have had lots of jobs ranging from working in the kitchen at family restaurants, production line work, and as a volunteer with a disability support group.

"I think that people with a disability have the same capacity to have a fulfilling life as everyone else."

At the moment I am completing a Certificate II in business administration at the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. I also work one day a week with a Disability Services Queensland office.

I have also presented papers at a number of national conferences on disabilities and I am a Queensland representative of Our Voice, which is a self-advocacy organisation sponsored by the National Council for Intellectual Disability.

I think that people with a disability have the same capacity to have a fulfilling life as everyone else. I don’t let my disability stand in the way of furthering my skills and abilities so that I can work to my best. I enjoy being able to develop my skills.

The only thing that is difficult is finding time for work along with the busy social life that I also enjoy!