Kathy MacKendrick

Kathy wore glasses for short sight from the age of twelve, but it wasn’t until many years later that she was diagnosed with optic atrophy. She was in her 60s when she began identifying as having a disability. She is now considered legally blind.

Kathy became involved in advocacy and public speaking 30 years ago.

She got her start when she was the secretary of DEBRA Victoria, an organisation supporting people with epidermolysis bullosa. She was asked at short notice to MC their fundraiser revue, an event attended by over 600 people. She enjoyed the experience so much that she began to take on many of their speaking engagements.

Kathy is also a qualified writer and editor and has specialised in creating community newsletters. She uses these skills to encourage companies to revise their communications to be clearer and more accessible to people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

In addition to disability advocacy, Kathy is a dedicated recycling and environmental advocate, and a keen landscaper, gardener and lap swimmer.