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Laura Pettenuzzo, a writer and disability advocate, stands smiling in a park.

Laura Pettenuzzo

Laura (she/her) is a writer and disability advocate living on Wurundjeri country. She is part of Express Media's 2022 Toolkits program and has been published in Melbourne University's Antithesis and as part of an anthology with Busybird Publishing. Laura is passionate about accessibility and writes Plain and Easy English content for various organisations.

Articles by this author

Writer Laura Pettenuzzo wears a green dress with small red and white flowers. Her hands are clasped and she's smiling. Laura is a wheelchair user.

7th March 2024

Count in disabled women this International Women's Day - and every day

Two young men wearing backpacks smile at each other. One of them is holding a map with the title 'Paris'.

11th September 2023

Why TV show Heartstopper is a beacon of hope for disability, mental health and queer representation

Queen Charlotte is a character in a Netflix series, which this image promotes. A dark-skinned woman dressed in regal attire and wearing a crown is featured in font of a yellow background.

21st May 2023

“Queen Charlotte reminds me that we’re all capable of loving and being loved, disabilities included”

Aaron Rose Philip, a Black Transgender power wheelchair user with black braids in a ponytail, on the cover of British Vogue. Aaron Rose is positioned against a grey, textured background, wearing a long black silky dress with a halter-neck by Del Core, with black ballerina pumps by Miu Miu and jewellery by Alexander McQueen and Hermès. Behind her head, a black Vogue logo in big letters. The cover also reads ‘Reframing Fashion: Dynamic, Daring & Disabled.’

23rd April 2023

Disability is in Vogue – and this wheelchair user is checking their internalised ableism

Laura Pettenuzzo, a writer and disability advocate, stands smiling in a park.

27th March 2023

A decade in, the NDIS has been “transformative”. But has it delivered on its promises? 

A black and white photo of Judy Heumann in 1977. Judy is a white woman with short brown hair who uses a wheelchair. She is wearing glasses and a jacket with a pin that says “Sign 504 Now” She is passionately speaking at a microphone.

5th March 2023

“Thank you, Judy, for making a fuss. And showing me that I can do the same”

Laura Pettenuzzo, a writer and disability advocate, stands smiling in a park.

1st December 2022

“This IDPwD, let’s not ‘look beyond’ disability”

2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott speaks to the media surrounded by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Australian Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth during the launch of disability employment website ‘The Field’, at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

13th November 2022

“I hope The Field will create employment possibilities for disabled people” 

Senator Jordon Steele-John is sitting in a wheelchair, in a park, smiling.

11th August 2022

“The disability community should be represented at all levels of leadership”

New disability pride flag designed by Ann Magill, a disabled woman, and the disabled community.

10th July 2022

“Disability Pride Month illustrates the need for systemic change.”

Lizzo's Special album cover features the American singer and rapper wearing a sequinned head cap, staring off to the right. The album cover is in black and white, and features the title, 'Special', across the top.

12th June 2022

Lizzo listened: Pop star to change song after outcry over ableist slur

Laura Pettenuzzo, a writer and disability advocate, stands smiling in a park.

31st May 2022

Australia's new cabinet looks like Australia? 'Not without disability it doesn't.'