By Tristram Peters · Originally published 21 December 2022
Original article and dated context
Tristram Peters is Head of Participant Engagement at Clickability, helping participants find and connect with service providers. He also co-hosts the Grow Bold with Disability and What Are You Staring At? podcasts.
With the holiday season almost upon us, we’re returning for this year’s Clicka Awards! We’re celebrating the best things (and people) in the world of disability. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it, with our showcase of 2022!
Best Appointment
I think we all know who this award is going to, so we'll skip the suspense... we’re giving the best appointment to Kurt Fearnley! Earlier this year, Fearnley made history as the first person with lived experience of disability to be appointed the role of NDIA Chair. We can’t wait to see more of Fearnley in the role, as he champions people with disability. More of this, please!
Best New TV Show
Remember that time in the world when we had no disabled actors on our screens? When disabled characters were just played by able-bodied actors? (We’re looking at you, Glee, and all you sneaky Academy Award winners.) Well, times have changed!
The beginning of this decade has been a watershed moment for disability representation on both the small and big screen – and 2022 has continued that trend. We’ve had more disabled actors than ever before, in stories about disability and, just as importantly, not about disability.
For best new TV show, we’re going for a split decision, awarding a joint crown to *drumroll* Heartbreak High and Latecomers! What’s the big fuss about these two shows? The actors of course!
Heartbreak High follows a group of students as they navigate love, sex, and (you guessed it…) heartbreak. And excitingly, one of the characters is portrayed by Chloe Hayden. The importance is that an actress with autism is playing a character with autism! For the role, Hayden even won Best Actress at the AACTAs.
[Clickability update, October 2026:
The specific category was the 2022 AACTA Audience Choice Award for Best Actress, as recorded in AACTA’s winners announcement.
]
Meanwhile, Latecomers follows two people with Cerebral Palsy who are thrown together when their carers hook up at a bar. Big shout out to Hannah Diviney, who captured the media’s eye last year when she began a petition for Disney to introduce a Disney princess in a wheelchair. Latecomers, check it out!
Best Book
I’ve had the honour of interviewing him on a podcast, so call me biased, but I’m awarding Best Book to Dinesh Palipana, for his recent release, Stronger. The book chronicles Dinesh’s accident, which left him a quadriplegic, and his subsequent efforts to become a doctor. It’s a captivating read and one for that Christmas stocking.
Best (Sincere) Apology
When all round legend Lizzo released a song with an ableist slur in it (we’ve decided not to mention it here), we expected a pseudo apology, but what she delivered was a masterclass – and cemented herself as a disability ally. Rather than defended herself, she immediately apologised and then swiftly challenged the lyric in her song. People got angry she used it in the first place, but she showed we all make mistakes; the most important thing is that we learn from them.
And from us…
We want to wish you all a Merry Clicka-mas (see what we did there?) and a prosperous and joyous 2023. May it be filled with all your favourite things. We’ll see you next year!
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
Representation can matter without defining your own story
You may enjoy seeing disability on screen while disagreeing with a portrayal or preferring a different story. Nobody needs public achievement to make their everyday experience worth hearing. Check current viewing or book availability rather than relying on a 2022 recommendation.
If a provider asks to share your story, agree what can be used and for what purpose. Rights guidance recognises privacy and choice; support should not depend on publicity consent.
Invite the person to shape how they are represented
Explain where a story or image will appear and make refusal a real option. Avoid presenting an individual as representative of everyone with the same diagnosis. Respond to feedback about language and portrayal without turning one apology or public award into proof that inclusion is complete.
Questions readers ask
Are the appointments and awards describing this year?
No. They belong to the 2022 retrospective.
Find providers who respect your individual story
Compare Clickability profiles and reviews, then ask how the service will respect your preferences and privacy. Confirm the support you need before agreeing.
