Empowering Lives and Communities

When Cathi Tucker discovered that a community-funded Early Career Research Seed Funding project at Flinders University aligned with her own advocacy work, she was inspired to take action.

After graduating from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education (Honours), Cathi has dedicated much of her life to advocating for people living with intellectual disability.

At the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability, she has worked on numerous community campaigns to improve access to services and break down barriers that limit participation in society.

“My work is about making the community a welcoming and inclusive place for people with lived experience of intellectual disability,” Cathi explains.

“It’s immensely rewarding to see individuals embrace their own power, make decisions for themselves, and support each other’s rights.”

When Cathi read about Dr Fiona Rillotta’s ground-breaking research, which is improving the lives and opportunities of people living with disability, she realised that research could be a powerful tool for creating a more inclusive society.

“The Seed Funding program helps incubate exciting ideas that can make a positive difference in all of our lives,”  says Cathi.