Katie Kelly OAM is in a league of her own. The Paralympic gold medallist, two-time Olympian, and not-for-profit founder has created an exceptional career on and off the track.
While living with profound hearing loss and gradual vision loss has presented challenges for the paratriathlon, Katie's drive to create a fairer society for people with disability is unstoppable.
“I'm very proud to be part of the deaf and hearing-impaired community. I've had this wonderful opportunity through the success of being a Paralympian and being a gold medallist to advocate for people with disabilities,” said Katie.
Listen to the full interview in the player below:
While being an athlete is what Katie’s well known for, she’s also spent years using her platform to reduce barriers for people with a disability in the workplace. Part of her journey to success was being proud of what she has to offer the world, which didn't come straight away.
“I was very much of the view that I didn't want employers to notice my hearing loss, hearing aids, and that I had sight loss.
“I didn't want them to view me as any less capable than the next person going for a job, said Katie.
Fast track different career opportunities, Katie is championing inclusion at all levels, including at her newest workplace, where she's striving to promote inclusive language, and the importance of upholding company policies that create equitable workplaces.
If that’s not enough, Katie is also the founder of the Sport Access Foundation, a charity that helps cover sporting costs for children with disability, including rising sports stars.
“We all had those tremendous memories as young children playing sports with our mates. It's the best feeling ever, and for a child to be left on the sideline because of their disability or a challenge they have, it's just not right,” said Katie.
Katie shares compelling advice to jobseekers with a vision condition and employers about the value of diversity. To learn her perspective and more, listen to her interview.
Katie is part of Career Path, a podcast series that supports jobseekers who are blind or have low vision, those who have found meaningful employment and recruiters who recognise the strengths of blind and low vision candidates.