Richard Kennedy: Sharing Global South Perspectives on Disability

Support from the Allison Sudradjat Prize has opened many doors for disability advocate and researcher Richard Kennedy, helping him find a platform to voice an experience of disability from Indonesia that may not otherwise be heard.

The Allison Sudradjat Prize is offered to Australia Awards Masters scholars from Indonesia to support personal development and networking opportunities. It offers grant funding for activities such as training, workshops and seminars, courses, capacity building, and also research and development and innovation.

For Richard, the prize facilitated opportunities for him to attend two conferences in 2024, enhancing his advocacy and research efforts.

"I had been waiting for the Allison Sudradjat Prize to open for applications since I started my Master's degree here. I acted immediately when the announcement was made," said Richard, who pursued his Masters degree at Flinders University after receiving an Australia Awards Scholarship.

"The scheme is very helpful because it not only funds research but also opens up opportunities such as attending conferences, training, workshops, or other activities related to research and development of the science being studied."

He applied for the Allison Sudradjat Prize in order to attend conferences with three objectives in mind. Firstly, he wanted to articulate the viewpoint of the Global South regarding disability, given that Western narratives have predominantly shaped the discourse on this topic. He also aimed to advance his professional profile and broaden his networks.

As a legally blind activist and researcher, Richard has found significant differences between the cultures of the West and the Global South that affect people with disability.

"From Western studies, people with disabilities are always described as independent and self-reliant,” he explained. “I agree, but how does this relate to the culture in the Global South, where family and kinship relationships are pretty influential? Even something as simple as choosing a university major must be discussed with your family first, right?

"So, in my opinion, rather than independent, it is more appropriate to say ‘interdependent’. Not only for disabled people, but all people need each other. Hopefully, this perspective can emerge."

Speaking up for the Global South

Richard was ready to present this concept at the Leeds Disability Studies Conference. However, there wasn’t enough time before the conference to apply for a UK visa, so he attended online. He also showcased findings from his thesis research, Narratives on the Guardianship System in Indonesia: Recognising the Voices of People with Psychosocial Disabilities.

The research explored the system where a guardian would be appointed to make decisions about the life of a person with psychosocial disability. This could extend to where they live, how to manage their money and their medical treatment. Richard spoke about the need to empower people with psychosocial disabilities with ongoing advocacy about their legal rights. His study found that some people thought the guardianship system could protect their rights, while others felt it was a form of violence. Among some participants, the guardianship system had a strong relationship with Indonesian culture, which is communal and relies heavily on family when making decisions.

He was assigned a 20-minute presentation, followed by a discussion session with the online audience. Although he attended online, he still had a platform to share his ideas and receive feedback. He made new connections and engaged in enriching discussions. "We exchanged contact information,” he said. “There was disability researcher from Ireland. I also met Flinders University alumni, and there were participants from the University of Melbourne."

The annual Leeds conference is well known for examining the complexities surrounding disability issues and attracting a diverse assembly of specialists and professionals engaged in the field of disability.

Making Connections in Southeast Asia

Next, Richard learned about the Participation and Inclusion in Action Conference in Singapore. While he could no longer submit a paper, he decided to attend the public lecture, where he had the opportunity to express his views during the question-and-answer session. "It might have just been five minutes at the time. But I used it as much as possible to express my opinions and ask questions,” he said.

Notably, the experience in Singapore supported his ideas about disability in the contect of the Global South. The similarities he found among the mostly Asian audience contributed to the concept of establishing an Asian disability community.

Richard said he was grateful for the opportunity to attend the conferences because they allowed him to sharpen his skills in speaking on disabled people's concerns before a large audience. He felt the experience would better equip his fight for the rights of people with disability.

He also hoped that the positive bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia would continue to benefit people with disability. Australia has extended its support to disability inclusion in Indonesia, particularly in the field of higher education.

Richard hoped to see knowledge of disability rights further adapted to the specific context of Indonesia. Additionally, he said Indonesia must involve people with disability when making policies that would affect their lives.