Tributes flow for disability advocate Sue Salthouse after motorcycle crash

Disability advocate Sue Salthouse has been remembered for her passion and generosity after she died on Monday night. Ms Salthouse was riding a wheelchair accessible motorcycle on Commonwealth Avenue bridge when it was involved in an incident with car on Monday afternoon. Ms Salthouse was prominent in the Canberra community as a passionate advocate for women with disabilities and was the 2020 ACT Senior Australian of the Year. Women with Disabilities ACT, for which Ms Salthouse sat as the board chair, shared the sad news on Tuesday morning. “Women with Disabilities ACT was deeply saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of our Board Chair, Sue Salthouse. We will miss her very much. Vale Sue.” “We send our sincerest condolences to her family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected during this time.” Fellow disability advocate Christina Ryan reflected on 25 years working with Ms Salthouse to bring about change for people with disabilities. “She was a passionate part of our community, she was really a big part of the disability sisterhood,” Ms Ryan told ABC Radio Canberra. Ms Salthouse was an “outstanding” mentor of young people, Ms Ryan said. “One of the biggest differences Sue made was leading enormous numbers of young folk to continue her work.” Ms Ryan spoke of the community Ms Salthouse fostered with all those involved in Women with Disabilities on a local and national scale. “It was always about growing the person in front of you, challenging them to think more broadly,” she said. After a horse-riding accident at 45, Ms Salthouse experienced the inequalities faced by people with disabilities firsthand and has been a strong advocate for more than two decades. Ms Ryan said Ms Salthouse’s fight was far from over. “We’re still struggling,” she said. “Women with disabilities are still dying and we’ve had that again in the news today. “It keeps us going, it means we have to keep this work going. “We’re not anywhere close to equality and we’ve got a long way to go.” Activist and author Carly Findlay paid tribute to Ms Salthouse as someone she had admired for years. “Sue was a true leader – one who changed the world with her work and wisdom, and who nurtured others,” she wrote. “She will be so very missed Sending my love and condolences to Sue’s family, friends and colleagues.” Senator Katy Gallagher remembered Ms Salthouse as a “great Canberran” and remarkable woman. “A courageous and tireless community activist and advocate for people with a disability.