A report looked at the treatment of disabled people in the media industryThere are hopes it will raise awarness and lead to positive changeMr Djajamihardja had a successful media career, including as a presenter on ABC TV, and a happy family life with his wife Kate.Fear of being a burden
"When I was in rehab hospital, I was being taught how to use my wheelchair for the first time, and quickly became overwhelmed by how that would make me a massive burden to Kate's life," he said.Ade Djajamihardja did not want to be a burden to his wife Kate.Now Mr Djajamihardja has his own production company, AK2 Media, supporting people with disabilities working in the media and entertainment industry across Australia and Asia.
His company recently collaborated with researchers at the University of Melbourne on a report looking at the treatment of people with disabilities in the media industry, which uncovered a range of unique challenges, from poor physical access to discrimination and unequal pay.Melbourne University creative writing lecturer and lead report author Radha O'Meara said the pay gap for people with disabilities was the result of stigma.
“These experiences suggest structural problems across the screen industry and its culture,” the report found. “They reflect a lack of understanding of disability and a reliance on negative stereotypes of disabled workers."One Melbourne-based film and television director who uses a wheelchair said the biggest problem he had encountered in the industry was physically accessing sets.