What a Difference ‘Not Being the Exception’ Makes

Ten years ago, Emma Olivier joined lifesaving, seeking some out-of-the-box support to achieve her training to become a lifesaver as someone with a disability.

Ten years ago, encouraged by her sons, Emma Olivier joined lifesaving. To her surprise, it made front page news in Melbourne because she has a disability.   

Born without a left hand, it seemed a stretch that she would be able to perform CPR or help rescue someone. However, Black Rock Life Saving Club worked to adjust its training to Emma’s capabilities and awarded her a Bronze Medallion, the accreditation for lifesaving rescue skills.  
 
While achieving this goal was extraordinary, it was an out-of-the-box process in lifesaving at the time, but the club was nothing but supportive and accommodating.   

Emma has been involved in lifesaving for 12 years as a parent, Starfish Nippers mentor, member of LSV’s Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, and member of LSV’s Volunteer Inclusion Panel. She is now the founder of Twenty Percent, a Disability Inclusion Advisory working with LSV to move the dial more broadly on disability inclusion.  

Her work has enabled us to start thinking about disability differently across all aspects of lifesaving. With 21.4 % of Australians identifying as having a disability, there is a real need to continue to adapt how we serve the communities we operate in, the support we provide to our member and volunteer cohorts by considering how our clubs are disability inclusive. 

Disability Inclusion has come a long way since 2016, but it still has a way to go.  But as Emma explains, gender equality continues to serve as a test case for change.  

“What's needed now is we need to normalise difference.”   

“I think we can look at what we have done successfully for gender and apply it to other areas. How can we learn from that?   

“Women are more comfortable being a little bit more vulnerable as leaders. There’s so much equality already in lifesaving. We've got a female CEO, and most clubs have lots of women in their leadership groups.    

“I feel like that we've cracked the nut on gender, so let's use that to tackle other aspects of diversity and inclusion.”  

Emma is about to walk back onto the beach to begin patrolling for St Kilda LSC.   

Training once again for her first aid and Advanced CPR qualifications, she was curious how the experience might differ from the one she had ten years ago.   

“I did the course and said to the trainer, "l I just want to let you know I've got one arm. There might be some tasks I need to adapt,” And was told, “Well, there are a few people that have asked for adjustments, let us know what you need”.   

“What a difference not being the exception feels like. A number of participants needed adjustments, and the trainers and assessors provided support as required as part of business as usual. What a joy it is when difference is not special but just normal.”