Meet Stella Barton: Disability Advocate, Greens Members and Paralympian 

By Your Greens Team

Stella Barton is 25 years old, and Greens member for the last two years. An incredible advocate for disability rights and accessibility she recently competed at the Paris Paralympics! 

Tell us a bit about yourself 
My name is Stella Barton and I am 25 years old. I live in Melbourne and have been a Greens member since 2022. I completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in sociology at Swinburne, graduating in the middle of 2022. I identify as a disabled person and I am passionate about social issues affecting the disability community.
I am an internationally classified grade 1 para equestrian rider. I recently represented Australia in the Paralympic Games in Paris earlier this year.

What drew you to the Greens?
I want to advocate for social justice for disabled people and I felt that the Greens aligned well with my values and passions for equality. I like that the Greens are very inclusive of people with a range of backgrounds and experiences and that there is a place for everyone within the Greens.  I am also concerned about climate change and the future of the natural environment, and this was another reason which compelled me to join the Greens.

Can you talk about the campaigning you have done for tram accessibility?
As a person living in the inner city of Melbourne, trams are everywhere and even though we have accessible trams and tram stops, often they do not match up. Being a wheelchair user means that trams are not a reliable means of transport because you can be waiting hours for an accessible tram to come along. Years ago, I got excited when I saw an accessible stop being built on Dandenong Road near my house. But when it was completed and I went to use it, there were no accessible trams on that route.

Recently, in 2021, I have worked with Greens Victorian state MP Sam Hibbins to establish an accessible tram stop outside South Yarra train station, which was successful. I have also participated in several direct action protests against inaccessible trams in and around Melbourne over the years.

What is it like competing at the Paralympics?
Competing at the Paralympics was a dream come true. The dressage events were held at the Palace of Versailles, which was a spectacular venue. I rode a stallion called Lord Larmarque (also known as ‘Bug’ in the stable). Stallions are known to be quite difficult, but Bug was completely in tune and listening to me while we were in the arena. We made it into the final freestyle event, coming seventh so I was very happy with this result. I had so much fun in the arena and felt so proud to be representing Australia at the Paralympic Games.

What gives you hope?
Whenever I see more positive disability representation or something changing to be more accessible, this gives me hope that we are moving towards a more inclusive society. I believe we still have a long way to go before the disability community is fully accepted, but something like the tram stop at South Yarra station becoming accessible gives me hope that we are moving towards a more inclusive future.