Finding a Way

Overview

Blind from birth, Graeme Innes was blessed. Blessed because he had a family who refused to view his blindness as a handicap and who instilled in him a belief in his own abilities. Blessed because he had the determination to persevere when obstacles were put in his way. And now, after a long and successful career – from lawyer to company director to Human Rights Commissioner – he has written his story. Finding a Way shares his memories of love and support, of challenges and failures, and of overcoming the discrimination so many people with disabilities face. He writes of the importance of family, the value of courage and the unique experience of a life without one sense but with heightened awareness of the others. Alongside his life story, Innes shares ideas on advocacy for people with disabilities and outlines what remains to be done to fully include people with disabilities in Australian society. This fascinating and moving book offers a new perspective on supporting diversity in our community.

Author Biography

Graeme Innes AM is a lawyer, mediator and company director. In 1995 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his work on the development of the Disability Discrimination Act, and in 2003 he was a finalist for Australian of the Year. Graeme's work as a human rights practitioner has spanned more than thirty years and includes his role as Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission where he led work on Australia's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements Inquiry.