Disability advocate and Victor Harbor resident Angela Schiller, who has been blind since birth, has nominated for the South Australian council elections running with the slogan “Seeing things differently”.
Schiller has held roles with Disability Elders of All Ages (DEAA), Queensland Disability Network (QDN), the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) and the Guide Dogs Consumer Reference Group, as well as being part of the City of Victor Harbor’s Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee for more than 10 years. She is also a representative on state and regional Local Government Association committees, in roles covering advocacy, advice and also training and assistance with the development of adaptive technology.
She sees an elected member role as a chance to provide a better disability voice in local decisions, as well as showing that people with a vision impairment have much to offer.
“My lived experience of disability, using many of the community services provided by the council, will provide unique insights to help shape a more-inclusive Victor Harbor community,” she said.
She also brings a background in primary industry, as a small business owner and a mother that she said gives her a greater scope for understanding the local needs of ratepayers and residents generally, beyond those living with a disability. She has also survived breast cancer.
Schiller uses adaptive technology to read documents, emails, messages and websites, as well as for managing tasks and calendar appointments, with her guide dog Oreo, by her side.
“As someone without the sense of sight it means I have more focus on listening to people which I believe is an important trait for anyone in government. You don’t have to be able to physically see someone to listen, understand and voice their views,” she said.
Some of the issues she wants to bring to the role include practical planning to enable better access to services and transport, affordable and accessible housing options, youth engagement and a greater focus on positive ageing, particularly given the age demographic of the local community.