Latest news with #disabilityAwareness
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘S**t joke': Aussie disability campaigner heckles British comedian over ‘insenstive' jokes
An Australian disability campaigner has slammed a British comedian over jokes about Type 1 diabetes. Campaigner Carmen Azzopardi was watching Paul Foot at the Moth Club in Hackney, in London's inner east, when the comedian launched into a 10-minute set filled with jokes about diabetics. In a video she shared on TikTok, Azzopardi claimed that Foot poked fun at people who wear glucose monitors, before mimicking someone having a hypoglycaemic attack by shaking. He also allegedly told the crowd that diabetics that suffer such episodes while wearing medical tech to help prevent them are 'idiots' because they 'don't know how to use their technology'. She said the comedian suggested diabetics have a 'victim mentality' and that it's 'not a real illness'. Speaking up during Foot's set, Azzopardi shouted from the audience: 'That was a s*** joke. I have Type 1 diabetes, that was extremely insensitive and miss-informative.' Foot rebuffed Azzopardi's heckling, insisting that he wasn't being insensitive toward people who live with diabetes. 'I don't think it's up to you to decide if it's insensitive or not,' continued the disability campaigner. The comedian then insisted that 'comedy is subjective' before going on to hit back at the Aussie woman for making the end of his set 'awkward' for everyone in the audience. 'Due to the failure of you to grasp that simple intellectual point, cause you fail to grasp the difference between these issues, cause of that it's ending in an awkward way,' he said. Foot then called out Azzopardi for talking during the end of his set and told the audience that she was on the 'emotional side' of an 'intellectual argument'. Azzopardi later added that the entire incident was 'deeply embarrassing' for the British comedian. 'All in all, deeply embarrassing for him, deeply, deeply sickening to witness as someone who is living with that disease,' she said in the TikTok video. 'It's probably one of the most blatant acts of ableism that I have ever personally experienced since being diagnosed with this illness, because that's what it is, it's an illness, not a punch line to a joke. I've never heckled/interrupted/called out during a show before but this was absolutely beyond disgusting and someone needed to say something.' Comments on TikTok were divided, with Aussie radio host Abbie Chatfield remarking: 'What a f**king loser … what is this niche diabetes beef???? Well done for standing up for yourself and others queen.' 'This is so weird? Did someone with diabetes break up with him? This is such a random gripe to have,' quizzed another. However, others inferred that the campaigner needed to grow a thicker skin when going to comedy shows. 'I understand how insensitive that must have felt but isn't this what comedy shows and satire is? It's joking and making fun of sometimes serious topics,' replied one. With another commenting: 'While I admit his jokes definitely weren't funny I don't agree with the 'you're so brave standing up' culture. I was at a gig were someone kicked off about a joke aimed at wearing glasses, it's a joke it's not real. If you are offended by jokes, even bad ones, just don't go to comedy shows.'
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
‘It won't stop me': Hong Kong teen battles condition to live ‘ordinary days'
For Hayden Yung Hok-yat, a 15-year-old Hongkonger living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), going out in a wheelchair is like tackling an obstacle course. Whenever he goes, from bustling shopping centres and restaurants to serene country parks, he must make sure there is a functional accessible toilet that is unlocked – some are closed off to prevent misuse by those without physical disabilities. The city's transport systems are largely accessible, but a smooth journey depends on an available wheelchair space, clear ramp access at the pickup and drop-off point and considerate passengers who make way for him, a rare occurrence. Unfriendly stares and intrusive questions about why he uses a wheelchair are common frustrations for the teenager. 'People like asking why I'm still in a wheelchair when my younger brother is walking, but what does it have to do with me?' Hayden said with a wry smile on his face. 'I hope people can better understand the needs of disabled people like me.'
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
WHIRLPOOL BRAND LAUNCHES SPIN&LOAD DISHWASHER RACK, THE MOST INCLUSIVE LOWER-LEVEL DISHWASHER RACK DESIGN ON THE MARKET
The innovation was designed in collaboration with the United Spinal Association as part of the brand's larger commitment to human-centered and inclusive design for the kitchen BENTON HARBOR, Mich., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One in four U.S. households include at least one family member with a disability*. With the launch of the Whirlpool® Spin&Load Rack, Whirlpool brand brings human innovation and inclusive design to the everyday kitchen with an easy-to-use, 360o spinning lower-level dishwasher rack. Designed in collaboration with United Spinal Association, Spin&Load Rack is a replacement lower rack for a traditional dishwasher and represents a significant advancement in kitchen inclusivity in a way that traditional dishwasher racks do not. 'The Spin&Load Rack is a great example of Whirlpool brand's commitment to human-centered innovation and inclusive design that empowers families to accomplish the chores on their to-do list,' said April Taylor, Associate Brand Manager at Whirlpool brand. 'It's important to us that we invest in creating inclusive and diverse products that empower all of our consumers and make a positive difference in their lives.' As the most inclusive lower-level dishwasher rack design on the market, Spin&Load Rack features an easy-to-use, 360o spinning design to allow easy access to all areas of the lower rack of the dishwasher, reducing the need for individuals to reach or reposition themselves while loading and unloading their dishes. Spin&Load Rack is easy to install and designed to fit all 24" Whirlpool Corporation dishwashers manufactured after 2018, including Amana, JennAir, KitchenAid and Maytag brands**. The accessory also features simplified and inclusive packaging, ensuring users can easily open and unbox with one hand with an accessible pull-tab design. Whirlpool Corporation's employee resource group known as AVID (Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities) was involved in the initial development process for Spin&Load Rack, with the initial idea for the innovation stemming from an AVID-hosted challenge asking interns to design a more inclusive product. From there, Whirlpool engineers developed prototypes, which were brought to a consumer research study leveraging members of the United Spinal Association to interact with the prototypes and share feedback, informing how the final design eventually came to life. Whirlpool brand's design team also conducted a full usability study on Spin&Load Rack with individuals from Corewell Health to share feedback on the final design. 'In order to produce innovative and inclusive designs, it was important for Whirlpool brand to include voices from the disability community at every stage of the development process, from design and manufacturing to marketing assets and influencer involvement, including Whirlpool Corporation's AVID employee resource group and groups like the United Spinal Association and Corewell Health,' said Katelin Frayer, engineering analyst at Whirlpool Corporation. 'As a member of AVID and one of the hosts of the AVID innovation challenge, as well as an owner of Whirlpool's relationship with United Spinal Association, I am thrilled to see Spin&Load Rack come to life in support of the brand's mission to create more inclusive products for those with mobility disabilities and make a meaningful impact on our consumers.' In support of the launch of Spin&Load Rack, Whirlpool brand is also collaborating with Tony Award-winning actress, singer, and author Ali Stroker, the first actor who uses a wheelchair to appear on Broadway, to support marketing efforts for the kitchen accessory. A humanitarian and advocate for individuals with disabilities, Stroker has made it her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not, as highlighted in her motto: 'Turning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.' 'I'm thrilled to join Whirlpool brand in their mission to make the kitchen and home more inclusive for families, and particularly individuals with mobility disabilities, to ensure that they can easily and conveniently tackle the chores on their to-do list,' said Ali Stroker. 'I've often had to adapt to the environments around me, and it feels good knowing that Whirlpool brand has designed something that empowers a wide range of individuals and their families to take on the dishes that inevitably pile up to save time and simplify dish duty.' In addition to Spin&Load Rack, Whirlpool brand offers other existing inclusive appliances, including the Whirlpool®44 dBA ADA Compliant Dishwasher Flush with Cabinets with 3rd Rack, Whirlpool® 36-inch Wide Counter Depth 4 Door Refrigerator - 19.4 cu. Ft., and the Whirlpool® 4.5 cu. ft. Front Load ENERGY STAR® Washer with Tumble Fresh Option and Whirlpool® 7.4 cu. ft. ENERGY STAR® Front Load Electric Dryer with Wrinkle Shield™ Option. Spin&Load Rack will be available for purchase in June 2025 for $149.99 at For more information, visit *Based on 2019 U.S. Census Data **Compatibility with Whirlpool brand dishwashers and dishwashers manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation after 2018, including Amana, JennAir, KitchenAid, and Maytag brands. The full list of compatible models can be found on Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the last-remaining major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at SOURCE Whirlpool Brand View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Whirlpool Brand
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Strictly champ Rose Ayling-Ellis thanks huge TV star who helped her land major Doctor Who role
STRICTLY Come Dancing champ Rose Ayling-Ellis says she got her Doctor Who role thanks to host Claudia Winkleman. The 30-year-old deaf actress said her guest appearance in The Well episode of the BBC sci-fi series earlier this year was a dream come true. 2 2 She told the Big Issue: 'Doctor Who was on my bucket list.' Rose said she saw show chief Russell T Davies at an awards ceremony and The Traitors star 'forced me to speak to him, so it's thanks to Claudia I got the job'. She added the part was rewritten to make her a deaf character. The ex- EastEnders star is preparing to take on the lead role in ITV detective thriller Code Of Silence, for which she is also executive producer. She said: "My big issue at the moment is the cuts to disability benefit, that's such an important issue for so many people. 'There's a lot of fear around. 'Rather than making cuts, they need to support disabled people better. 'People making (benefit) assessments need to have better disability awareness. 'I remember mine years ago, they wanted a telephone call to assess my need for Disability Living Allowance. 'I'm deaf, I can't hear you on the phone, and if I'd talked through an interpreter, they would say I can live independently and I'd have got nothing.'
NHK
16-05-2025
- Health
- NHK
50 Years On
In 2014, Japan surveyed thalidomide survivors, revealing previously undetected secondary disabilities. Individuals recount their decades-long struggle with the effects of thalidomide on their lives. Survivors in their 50s Surveys found many secondary disabilities among survivors
