Looking forward through a rear-view mirror

Looking forward through a rear-view mirror

Join Professor Angus Buchanan as he reflects on 40 years in disability services, sharing insights on learning from the past to shape an inclusive future.

Whatever is happening today will change tomorrow. A wise person once shared this with me, and over the years, I have come to realize its profound truth. We are shaped by our individual and collective experiences, our contexts, and—hopefully—our continuous learning.

A long time ago, when I was much younger, the same wise person advised me, "Be teachable. You're not always right." I quickly learnt that this principle applies not just at the individual level but also at societal and systemic levels. Despite substantial social and financial investments in recent years within disability services, we must ask ourselves: how teachable are we? Are we truly learning from our past experiences?

While there are many achievements to celebrate, it is equally important to acknowledge that we have not always gotten it right for people with disabilities and their families. In fact, there are signs that some of the progress made in recent decades is being eroded. We emphasize the importance of reflective practice in our students, encouraging them to engage with models that promote intentional self-examination. However, do we, as individuals and as a collective, truly engage in this same reflective process?

I began my career nearly 40 years ago and have no desire to return to a time when consumers were not considered partners, when the remnants of the White Australia policy still influenced decision-making, when diversity was a selectively applied term, and when the integration of people with disabilities into society was viewed as an achievement rather than an expectation.

Throughout my journey—as an occupational therapy practitioner in three countries, a leader in government disability services, an academic and researcher, a community board member, and a volunteer—I have witnessed significant transformations. Drawing from my experiences, research, and perspectives, I would like to reflect on the past 40 years with a keen focus on how we can move forward while learning from our history.

I hope these reflections will spark meaningful discussions about maintaining progress, staying teachable, and ensuring that our collective efforts truly create an inclusive future. Let us keep looking ahead, all while keeping an eye on the rearview mirror.

Professor Angus Buchanan DBA, DSM, BAppSci (OT), FIASSIDD

Professor Angus Buchanan commenced working at Curtin University in 2008, and was the Head of School, Curtin School of Allied Health from 2021 - 24. Prior to this Angus held the role of Head of School, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology (2015 – 2021). Before commencing at Curtin, Angus was a senior leader and Director at the Disability Services Commission of Western Australia implementing significant service developments and reforms in therapy and community coordination for people with disabilities. Angus graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1985 and remains deeply committed to the profession, its possibilities, and future. He holds academic qualifications in strategic leadership including a Doctor of Business Administration.

Angus passionately believes in working with people to reach their professional and personal potential in positive values driven environments and cultures.

Research interests reflect Angus’ extensive background working with people with intellectual disabilities and their families and his personal commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities in community. His work was acknowledged 2024 being presented the WA Health Allied Health Lifetime Achievement Honour.

Angus is currently a Fellow and President for the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, was the President of the Australasian Society of Intellectual Disability (ASID) from 2013-17, Past District Governor of Rotary, an Associate Editor on number of international journals and was a Director and Chairperson of Avivo, a major non-government service provider in Western Australia. He values spending time with his family and three grandchildren, being in his garden, is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) and is committed to community development and service through his ongoing work with Rotary Intentional