Tara
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘If psychologists are creating policy and research on disability, then why are we preventing disabled psychologists from entering this field with their lived experience?’
Tara has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is studying psychology at university.
She told the Royal Commission that universities are discouraging students with disability from training to be professional psychologists.
‘I have been told by other psychologists not to disclose my ADHD when I apply for [my] masters.’
Tara said the discrimination appears to stem from mandatory notification guidelines, in which education providers have to notify accreditation bodies about students with an impairment that has a risk of causing harm.
‘This deters students with disability from entering the profession or disclosing their disability for fear that anything they do could be perceived as an indictable offence that indicates "impairment".’
She said graduate schools have used the guidelines to turn away high achieving students with disability.
‘This not only prevents a diverse workforce of psychologists with lived experience with disability, but prevents those psychologists being able to inform policy [on] mental health and disability initiatives in Australia.’
Tara said professional educators have told her in confidence that the industry is discriminatory and tends to exclude disabled psychology graduates.
‘The ableism in this industry runs incredibly deep for its members. If you do not believe me, try searching up research literature on professional psychologists with disability or mental health issues. Absolutely nothing comes up in 2021 because everyone is afraid of disclosure of disability.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.