Accessibility and inclusion

Lisa: Ollie is an artist, a really talented artist, a poet. He's won awards, he's a writer. I actually came across Ollie's work a few years ago as part of International Day for people with disability he created an artwork that was turned into a pin and we actually got that pin out to all of our branches across Australia to wear as part of a celebration and bringing awareness to International Day for People with Disability and while we were doing that we found out that Ollie is actually a customer of Bendigo bank and so when it came time to create our own accessibility and inclusion plan we thought of Ollie straight away.

Jock: We're making an abstract painting the process is like Ollie's got different skill sets he's really good at scratching so it's like we're exploring the moves Ollie can make and then how we can extend that to make it work for Ollie. I think all these paintings are great, it's good for people to see them and discover the story, Ollie's story. working with Jock, Ollie's become more independent with his art and lots of wonderful things have happened we've had this wonderful opportunity it's great. Slowing down a bit when I'm hanging out with Ollie to learn a bit more about him anyone with disability trying to have access to like mainstream things that seem accessible but they're not necessarily. Having Bendigo Bank to be thinking about that and opening up to that is is really generous.

Ollie: It's fun to paint, I want them to think that my artwork is interesting fantastic and special I want them to love the art I create. Lisa: It's been really important to us to showcase what Ollie can do and feature it as
part of the work we do on accessibility and inclusion. I'm just really grateful to Ollie to really just help us, I think smash some of those barriers and assumptions we make on what people can and can't achieve.

Ollie: This is a fantastic and special moment for me. I think it's amazing my painting will be seen by lots of people. I feel valued.

Ollie's mum: I'm just really happy for Ollie. Ollie's thrilled and we're thrilled that Ollie's had this opportunity, I think it's amazing.

Lisa: For me I think it's about not making assumptions. Not making assumptions on what people can or can't do because of a disability and really looking at what people can do or asking the question or being open-minded to learn more.

Jock: Everyone's equal so it's like to be able to make it everything available for people with different challenges is is really healthy and I think it's really important to include, include everyone.