“In days gone by, short-statured people were not only labelled as ugly, stupid and freakish, they were often owned by aristocrats and treated, at best, as entertainment and, at worst, as pets.”

Australian comedian, journalist and disability rights activist

Stella Jane Young was an Australian comedian, journalist and disability rights activist. She became widely known for her writing and public speaking on disability rights, and for challenging the assumptions that often surround disabled people. Her work combined humour, media commentary and advocacy. Young used her platform to argue for more honest and respectful ways of talking about disability, and she remained closely associated with disability activism in Australia.