Rachael's police fight to help others

Rachael O'Neill with her seven-year-old daughter Caitlin. Source: News Limited

THE same determination that made assault victim Rachael O'Neill return 10 times to a police station until someone listened to her has inspired her to help protect the interests of all disabled people who are confronted by stressful situations involving police.

Police, prisons and courts were last week criticised by legal aid lawyers for their treatment of disabled people .

But Ms O'Neill, who has cerebral palsy, believes cultures and attitudes can change quickly through a modern training package delivered by disabled people themselves.

Ms O'Neill, of Hillbank, is nearing completion of a TAFE training course that will qualify her to start training police in how to deal with people suffering from a disability, to add to their existing program.

She has helped develop the training course with SAPOL liaison officers during monthly meetings in the past 18 months.

"I finish the course in December and it has been a real struggle because I work full-time as a carer with Disability SA as well and I have a child,'' she said.

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Ms O'Neill said her initial experience with police had been difficult because junior officers had mistaken her as being drunk, leading to a settlement in the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Her disability means she is partially deaf, has speech difficulties and struggles when walking.

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Rachael's police fight to help others