Humans of OT: Associate Professor Michelle Villeneuve

Humans of OT is series of profiles from some of OTA's members. They've shared their stories with us on topics such as how their OT career started, what they've achieved, what is most important to them about being an OTA member and more. Over the coming months we'll continue sharing these inspiring OT journeys. Profiled here is Associate Professor Michelle Villeneuve.

“We need to ensure that all Australians with disability are included across all levels of policy, practice and research.”

Could you tell us a bit about you and your work? 

My name is Michelle Villeneuve. I am an associate professor and deputy director at the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney. 

I lead research on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction. Using co-production methodologies, my research brings together people who do not normally work together to build the tools they need to work more effectively within and across sectors to positively impact the safety and wellbeing of people with disability when natural hazard disasters and other emergencies strike (e.g., pandemic, house fire). 

My website gives idea of how we collaborate 4 inclusion – in creative ways that build purpose, meaning and belonging! www.collaborating4inclusion.org  

What achievements in your life/career are you most proud of? 

One of my favourite moments was when a fire and emergency services colleague told me that the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness tool we created helped him love his job again! He has the tool he needs to make sure people are aware, safe and prepared.   

Too often we assume that when we do disability-inclusive work it is all about empowering people with disability. I love that the inclusive work we do empowers everyone! 

I am proud to say that this partnership research, led by my team at the University of Sydney’s Impact Centre for Disability Research and Policy, has been influential in shaping Australia’s new Disability Strategy 2021-31 and the legislative changes and practice standards recently introduced by the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission. For the first time, disability inclusive emergency management planning has been included to support targeted action. Our expansive partnerships across sectors and settings have been central to advancing these changes – it happened through the collaborative actions of multiple stakeholders. 

Australia now has the rules. Through our partnership research, we have co-produced the tools and training to support workforce capacity development so that people with disability and the services that support them can share responsibility with emergency managers to develop inclusive emergency plans that are responsive to the capabilities and support needs of people with disability in emergencies – but there is still more we need to do. 

What’s needed next is investment in a national approach for the future. We need to ensure that all Australians with disability are included across all levels of policy, practice and research. We need to support and resource people with disability and the services that support them to undertake personal emergency preparedness and enable preparedness in others. I recently outlined five actions needed to clear the path to full inclusion of people with disability in emergency management policy and practice in Australia. The Clearing a Path report is a key resource supported by the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit.

What’s your advice to someone looking to start their own practice or move into a leadership role?  

Learn from the people around you – at all levels in the organisation. Everyone has something to teach you. Leaders are learners. 

Who are the women who inspire you the most? 

The women in my family inspire me the most. Starting with my daughter, who has a brave heart and spirit and lives by her values every day. From a young age, she taught me about the power of inviting people to speak – especially the ones without their hand raised. They have some of the most interesting things to share. She has made me a better teacher. 

If I were to pick a famous person, I’d say Jane Goodall. She is wise, compassionate and, as Angela Duckworth might say, “gritty”! Her curiosity and humility, above all, make her a role model – those things enabled her to develop such deep knowledge and expertise sustained over such a long period.