A lot remains uncertain about 2022, but I feel there’s room for optimism

I think everybody can agree that 2021 wasn’t the year we’d anticipated. After the rollercoaster of 2020, there was a lot of optimism swirling around the idea that life would be returning to some sort of normality. However, the arrival of the Delta variant of COVID, coupled with a slightly delayed vaccination uptake, meant that much of the country was plunged into lockdown, again, for extended periods of time.

As we start the new year, it’s natural to reflect on the past 12 months. We also tend to look forward, and focus on concerns and hopes for the year to come. While some of these feelings will be widely shared, as somebody living with disability, many of my concerns and hopes are specific to this demographic.

The lockdowns, for example, presented particular challenges for me. I have a fairly compromised respiratory system due to my high-level spinal-cord injury. I also rely on several support workers for some personal care, which means I’m unable to self-isolate effectively. I’m in a demographic that is most at risk of hospitalisation from COVID and yet I need to be in close contact with multiple people, from multiple households, every day.

With case numbers now skyrocketing, I’m newly concerned about contracting the virus. Due to my compromised respiratory system, even though I’m fully vaccinated, there is still a large element of anxiety and uncertainty about engaging in the community again. And that’s not my only concern, as we look toward 2022.

A federal election is expected to be held in the first half of next year. Policy changes affect everybody, however, people with disability are often significantly impacted. If cuts are made to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there will be terrifying and devastating impacts for people with disability, their families and friends. This would limit the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in everyday activities, such as work and recreation, and put people’s health and wellbeing at risk. As such, I’m very hopeful that the NDIS will continue to be properly funded – and improved.

I also hope that, in 2022 and beyond, we see an increase in the participation rate of people with disability in the workforce – a rate that’s remained largely unchanged in Australia for close to 30 years. One silver lining of COVID is that it created and increased the acceptance of flexible working arrangements. I hope that workplace adaptations will translate into business and workplace changes that facilitate equitable access for people with disability.

A lot remains uncertain about 2022, but I feel there’s room for optimism. I hope everyone has a great break and is able to relax and reset after what has been a very long year, and I look forward to seeing what next year has in store.

Steven Ralph is a tech entrepreneur and brand expert who is passionate about removing barriers for people with accessibility requirements. As an advocate and mentor for community groups and individuals living with spinal cord injury, his vision is to create a future that is inclusive and accessible for everyone.