Carly Findlay
Recognised for her advocacy for the rights of people with disability and for building understanding and inclusion through community engagement and storytelling.
About this finalist
- Year: 2026
- Level: Finalist
- Award category: Community Award
About the 2026 nomination
Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker, appearance activist and disability advocate based in Melbourne. She has ichthyosis, a rare genetic skin condition, and advocates for appearance diversity, disability rights and the inclusion of people with disability in media, the arts and public life.
Carly is the author of Say Hello (2019) and editor of Growing Up Disabled in Australia (2021), an anthology featuring more than 40 disabled writers and artists. Her work has been published by ABC, SBS, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and CNN, and in 2022 she gave evidence to the Disability Royal Commission on abuse experienced by people with disability in public spaces.
She works as an access advisor in the arts and is a Face Equality International Ambassador. Carly received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020 for service to people with disability and continues to advocate for accessibility, inclusion and equality across Australian society.
About the Human Rights Awards
The Australian Human Rights Awards is an inspirational showcase of the best in all of us. The Awards honour and celebrate diverse human rights heroes and significant achievements in protecting and promoting human rights in Australia.