The Disability Community Speaks Out against QUT Videos

danicabs Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - "I've shown it to the people who matter -- the two stars, their families, the ethics committee, my confirmation panel and our disability consultants. They all have the right to see it. No-one else does." 'Unlikelytraveller' I quote one of your comments because I was present as a 1st year student in one of the lectures where you showed both films. I believe we matter.

danicabs Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - I witnessed first hand the laughter from the students, as well as the look of guilt on their faces when you introduced both D and J to us. I also spoke with many peers afterwards and they expressed their guilt for laughing.

danicabs Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - I am sure you have more knowledge on this subject than most due to your research, although there are valid points coming from the disability community. Also 'cnoevilatall' also has a point about Spectrum's financial interest in the film. Why not gather other opinions from a wider range of disability groups? After all is that not what research is finding multiple sources?

anon4664 Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Mr Noonan - please send me your video and I will comment on it. I have checked the SPECTRUM website. It has an 'Online Personality Test" - what this has to do with Disability Services/Advocacy? The website lists prices for its GYM from 2004. I hope that Spectrum is better run than its website suggests. I would like to see an actual Disability Advocacy group support your project. I want my tax money used on worthwhile projects and not on silencing Gary MacLennan and John Hookham.

danicabs Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Rally Against Suspension of LecturersWednesday 13th June 3pm (15:00 hrs)U-Block Gardens Point Campus QUT

rivendellresident Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Michael,if in an attempt to bring attention to the needs of others, you hurt far more, then maybe your aim was off. Step back from your own hurt and listen to that still small voice which tell us we may have gotten off the track. Be open and transparent, most importantly be willing to be sorry, if not for the intention, for the outcome. Through their oppressive tactics, QUT have sentenced you, not saved you. Don't stand behind something that grows increasingly smaller than all of us.

magimae12000 Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - omg I had no idea this was going on fgs!!! magi

ceereason Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - If you believe Hookham and MacLennan, there exists an evil conspiracy that seeks to "ridicule" the disabled. The "conspirators" include Michael Noonan, his supervisors, QUT, the ethics committee, the Spectrum Organization, the misconduct committee, and the parents and advocates of the two men involved in Noonan's project.. Does this seem logical to anyone? Isn't it more logical to assume that Hookham and MacLennan have misrepresented the facts to defend their hideous behaviour?

cnoevilatal Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Hookham & Maclennan didn't take 2 intellectually disabled men into a pub and film them looking for romance. Noonan did. How hideous is that? Hookham & Macennan did not ask 2 intellectually disabled men what would they do if a girl fancied them both. Noonan did. How hideous is that?

cnoevilatal Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Senastional development!! Not yet confirmed but strong rumours are spreading about the violation of ethical procedures by QUT's ethics cttee in its approving of the PhD Project Laughing at the Disabled: Creating Comedy that Confronts Offends and Entertains.

kiki2art Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - But if these are men who wont find romance because people dont understand its not funny. I still want to see the film

ceereason Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Sensational?? Strong rumours?? If we have learned anything from this very public debate, it is that, as a rational and just society, we should avoid sensationalism, rumours and heresay. We should listen to reason and communicate openly and in good faith. The reputation of Michael Noonan, his supervisors, QUT and Spectrum have been attacked on sensationalist and misinformed terms. If you're not prepared to wait for the facts, if you haven't seen the material -- then don't write or speak.

alwaysgoforgoals Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - This is correct ceereason, a point lost by cnoevilatal MacLennan... oops! To help gather the facts and understand the situation at hand, check out the Stateline QLD report posted onto YouTube. You can find it via the link on my page.

ftvteacher Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - I am dismayed at the unethical conduct by MacLennan & Hookham and the media beat-up that has transpired.I support MN and his right to investigate "the line" and I support his right to research & create without trial by media.Trial by CM and their facile attempts at journalism is perhaps a fate worse than death.Almost as facile as supporters of M&H holding some red tape in front of M & giving him a megaphone to address 20 students at Gardens Point for the cameras

pthomas66 Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - 'if you haven't seen the material - don't write or speak' And we're not going to see it. If it's so good and working so well, why the secrecy since questions emerged? Noonan says he is inspired by high ideals, but what matters is the result. If he wanted to use the Borat formula to help the disabled, he should have been prepared for suspicion, and to meet it. Instead we get secrecy and discipline, and are asked to trust it. No way

danicabs Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Address 20 students with a megaphone? more like 150 students as well as other members of the community who are disgraced by QUT's actions.

pthomas66 Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - M&H wound up on the CM's front page because they were suspended,so Noonan and McKee have got the trial by beat up they chose when they instituted disciplinary procedings.Now the protest supporting M&H is ludicrous because you say it was too small-where have I heard this one before?This secrecy,discipline & jeering does take me back to the 80s.'Don't write don't speak' & don't you worry about that.

paradigmoz Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Why are 2 men aged 20 and 40 refered to as "boys" in this video? Does "the disability community" perceive intelectual disability as infantilism?Is this why the poor vulnerable children need people to speak up for them against their families and work associates?Noonan is on the right track in dismantling prejudices and stereotyping of "the disabled".

alwaysgoforgoals Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Unlikely Travellers screens at BIFF to a sell out crowd. More than 200 people made the effort to see what all the fuss is about and judging by their reaction, left the theatre in full support of the project and the people involved. A quick search for the review on the Paradigm Oz (google "paradigmoz") website sums up the audience reaction well.

sheilawalshe Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - QUT appear to be behaving in a disgraceful manner. Do the United States not have an anti discrinination law outlawing discrimination against disabled people@ In Ireland we have the Equal Status Act which allows a disabled person to bring a person to justice who has discriminated against him or her.every year we hear about successful cases won.

lennedk Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - QUT = Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia.Australia is not under US jurisdiction.Wonder why nobody has commented on this before...

nordicaryan Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - But we should be getting rid of all disabled people by breeding them out and by euthanasia, it's the best thing for them and for society.

SpinergyDude Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - I say you start with yourself.

SpinergyDude Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - The people here are speaking out about real issues, and we get ignorant fools on YouTube like this nordicaryan type who feel they are enititled to spewing hate like in his statement... All I can say is I would not fook with Karma.

blueguntwo Says:

Jul 6, 2008 - Illogical nordicaryan says we should be getting rid of all disabled people. What? Get rid of Einstein? Get rid of Bill Gates? Genius is precious! Who is without inadequacy? Let that person be the one to cast the first stone. Eliminating disability is too slippery a slope, and once medical science gets on that GE slope humanity will slip down into oblivion. Autism is the next salvation revelation. Following Inspiration, strong autism will wipe hypocrisy off the list of human sins.