Championing inclusion for disabled women

HEIDI Biggin unexpectedly acquired a disability in 2010 after she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.

It sometimes affects her speech and balance, and it left her permanently legally blind.

Following her diagnosis, Ms Biggin said she saw a need in the community for a role model for blind women.

“It’s been 15 years now since I’ve been blind, the first year was probably the hardest not seeing myself in the community or in media as well,” she said.

“I remember the first time I used a white cane I stayed home for six weeks after that because I was so almost shameful of my disability and I thought everyone was looking at me, because they were.”

“I almost became the person I wanted back then… it was born out of a need for me but then I see the difference it makes in the community.”

Ms Biggin is passionate about helping organisations represent their diverse communities and is a qualified access consultant.

She has been a member of the City of Ballarat’s disability advisory committee since June 2021 and helped create the first assistance dog relieving station in Ballarat to improve accessibility for people who use assistance animals.

“I need to take Freya to the toilet every three of four hours, and she needs either grass or stone,” Ms Biggin said.

“People just think I’m a pet owner taking my dog randomly to the toilet in the middle of town and they don’t like it.

“Having a safe space where people know she’s a guide dog, I have not been hassled once, it’s perfect.”

An assistance dog relieving station includes a three-by-three-metre square of grass or stone, and Ms Biggin said she would like to see legislation introduced to make the facilities mandatory at train stations, hospitals, police stations and airports.

The disability advisory committee recommended including a relieving area in the Ballarat Train Station upgrade, however, this was not part of the final project.

Ms Biggin said particularly for women with disabilities, finding a place for their assistance dog to relieve themselves can be dangerous.

“At the train station, the closest grassed area is in Camp Street where people are picnicking, where it’s dark at night and you have to go down a dark alley,” she said.

“Women with disabilities and physical disabilities are four times more likely than the average woman to be assaulted.

“If I’m at the train station late at night and I have to take Freya to the toilet down at Camp Street, I’m advertising that I can’t see you creep up on me, I can’t identify your face in court.”

For her service to the community, Ms Biggin will be inducted into Ballarat’s Great Women Honour Roll by members of the Zonta Club of Ballarat.