Strengthening Disability Advocacy conference 2012
Disability advocacy and the legal system: You be the judge!
About
Our 3rd conference aims to make sure the disability advocacy sector understands and is well equipped to use the legal system in their work.
The second day of the conference will also provide a ‘best practice in advocacy’ theme.
This conference provides a great opportunity to consider the effects some of the new legislation could potentially have on people with disabilities. This includes the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the new Guardianship laws.
The conference is for anyone who undertakes advocacy in their working or personal lives. This includes disability advocates, self advocates, people with disability, legal workers, government and non government officers, community workers and allied health professionals.
Latest news
Check back for conference news soon.Program
Sunday 25th March, 2012
Keynote Address
Speaker: Ian Gray, Chief Magistrate of Victoria
The Chief Magistrate will present a broad focus on the court’s programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities including the Assessment and Referral Court List. He will give references to therapeutic jurisprudence principles and emphasis on the court’s problem-solving jurisdiction.
Monday 26th March, 2012
Twenty years of the Disability Discrimination Act
Speakers:
- Julie Phillips, Manager, Disability discrimination Legal Service
- Graeme Inness, Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
- Placido Belardo, Principal Solicitor, Disability Discrimination Legal service
- Rob Daly, Lawyer
- Beth Gaze, Lecturer in Discrimination Law, Melbourne University
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is twenty years old. This panel session will look at what the legal landscape was like for the Act, how things have changed and how things can be improved. The topic will be explored from different angles and perspectives.
Accessing legal services
Speakers:
- Eleanore Fritze, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Advocacy team, Civil Justice Program, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).
- Robyn Mills, Program Leader, Mental Health & Disability Advocacy Program, victoria Legal Aid
This session is about accessing legal services, with a particular focus on the legal services that people with a disability might require.
Guardianship and supported decision making
Speakers:
- Greg Leeson, Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc.
- John Chesterman, Manager Policy and Education, Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)
- Sophie Delaney, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Program, Victoria Legal Aid
- Anne Coghlan, Deputy President, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Human rights division
- Kevin Stone, Executive Officer, VALID
Nothing about us without us
Speakers:
- Michael Aldridge, National Chairperson, People first NZ
- Cindy Johns, National Manager, People First NZ
Find out about People First New Zealand, who we are and what we do.
Strength in numbers: Let’s set up a self advocacy network
Speakers:
Round table workshop for self advocates to talk about setting up a Victorian Self Advocacy Network.
Rural access to justice
Speaker: Richard Coverdale, Director, Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice, Deakin University
The role and activities of the newly established Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice will be outlined and the findings of a recent report will be discussed.
Voting is for everyone
Speaker: Alex Markham, Education Officer, Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
Find out who can vote, your rights and how to find help if you need it.
Empowering women with disabilities in local communities
Speaker: Lauren Hayes, Project Officer, Women with Disabilities victoria
A learning package designed to assist women with disabilities in representation and advocacy work has been developed.
National disability consumer quality assurance tool
Speaker: Matthew Potocnik, Advocate
Discover how this tool identifies gaps in service delivery and how it can be used to match services to consumers.
Achieving systemic change – people with disabilities missing in action
Speaker: Julie Phillips, Manager, Disability discrimination Legal Service
Is there enough activism in Australia or has grassroots action fallen prey to a new and different level of engagement with people with disabilities?
Deaf blind world
Speaker: Deafblind Victoria,
An interactive experience of the Impact of Deafblindness.
A history of disability advocacy
Speaker: Sarah Barton, Producer
Highlights of the production of a documentary where 25 survivors of the rights movement are interviewed. Sarah shares her journey and tells stories about issues, characters and ideas that she discovered along the way.
Hypothetical
Speakers:
- David Craig, Consultant
- Kate Bergman, Program Manager, North East citizen Advocacy (NECA)
- Seth Howell, Individual Advocate, VALID
- Deidre Griffiths, principal lawyer and executive officer of Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc
- Susan Arthur, Self Advocate
Using real life scenarios, panelists will respond to issues raised and discuss processes from their specialist perspectives.
Tuesday 27th March, 2012
Fight for your rights
Speakers:
- Eleanore Fritze, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Advocacy team, Civil Justice Program, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).
- Aimee Cooper, Civil Lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid
Small group discussions and practical information sharing on a range of legal topics which often affect people with disabilities.
Disability advocacy and self advocacy working better together for change
Speakers:
- Paul Ramcharan, Associate Professor, Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University
- Pauline Williams, Advocate, Action for More Independence and Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA)
- Jen Rowley,
- Colin Hiscoe, Training Officer, Reinforce
- Rachel Walters, Self Advocate, New Wave
- Sue Smith, Coordinator, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)
Discussions about the long term mutual benefits and outcomes that can be achieved as a result of disability advocacy organisations working in partnership with self advocacy groups.
Advocacy using human rights legislation
Speaker: Eden Parris, Advocacy Coordinator, Communication Rights Australia
Practical strategies for using human rights in your advocacy work.
Disability Vilification
Speaker: Deborah Randa, Solicitor, Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)
Are people actually hated, criticised or put down because of their disability? Is this a problem in Australia?
Success stories about life by self advocates
Speaker: Heather Forsythe, Self Advocate Project Worker,VALID
Through the Keys to Success program VALID gives people who use disability support services the skills and confidence to speak up about what they want in their lives.
Rights, the web and video tape
Speaker: Michael Buckley, Film Maker
Take a journey through an intriguing new website which creatively explores the Victorian Disability Act through animation, and video.
My house, my home, my rights
Speaker: Colin Hiscoe, Training Officer, Reinforce
New training resource, featuring actors from Dream Theatre, takes you through a series of events showing a day in the life of people living in a CRU.
Everything you wanted to know about strategic lobbying and campaigning but were afraid to ask
Speaker: David Imber, Account Director, Essential Media Communications
The ability to lobby and campaign are essentials for any advocate- whether you’re helping an individual, a discreet local cause or seeking to affect national social change.
Criminal justice system and people with disability
Speakers:
- Jessica Richter, Lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid
- Kerry Stringer, Chair, Victorian Coalition of ABI Service Providers (VCASP)
- Peter Persson,
- Patrick McGee, Coordinator, Aboriginal Justice Campaign, Ofice for the Public Advocate (OPA)
- Ben von Einem, Case Work & Policy Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
In spite of law reform efforts to strengthen the rights of victims of crime who have a cognitive impairment, there are still significant barriers in prosecuting these cases.
Employment for people with disability
Speakers:
- Sharon Granek, Coordinator, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
- Riki Domagalski,
- Kairsty Wilson, Principal Solicitor, Association for Employees with a Disability (AED) Legal Service
- Gordon Prior, Self Advocate
- Michael Aldridge, National Chairperson, People first NZ
Explore the facts, statistics and experiences of people with disabilities in open employment, supported employment, unemployment and under employment both here and New Zealand.
Supporting self advocacy: Reflections on empowerment, trust and respect
Speaker: Heidi Peart, Self Advocacy Advisor
This workshop examines the findings from a discussion paper on developing a code of conduct for self advocacy advisers and workers.
Social inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury: A consumer perspective
Speakers:
Discuss the issues that prevent the social inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury. How can we foster participation in the social, economic, institutional and symbolic fabric of life?
Making change happen
Speaker: Sue Smith, Coordinator, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)
A step by step guide to campaigning and lobbying for self advocates.
Tear down the walls
Speaker: Johnny Crescendo, Disability Civil Rights singer/song Writer and activist
Johnny talks about the Independent living movement from its birth to present day and beyond. He talks about core philosophy, how it has developed and its future. He talks about ADAPT in the US and the UK’s Direct Action Network’s struggle for IL services and their relative success in “Freeing our people” from institutions and compares British and US policies and practice. He talks about his concerns for the future and the principle of consumer control.
Sunday 25th March, 2012
Welcome and Opening Address
Speaker: Andrea Coote, Parliamentary Secretary for Family and Community Services
The welcome address at the Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference: Champions of Change was presented by Andrea Coote, Parliamentary Secretary, Family and Community Services in Victoria.
Monday 26th March, 2012
Wheelchair Waltz
Speaker: Johnny Crescendo, Disability Civil Rights singer/song Writer and activist
In the early 90’s Johnny wrote a ground breaking article (our allies within), on what it takes to be an ally to disabled people and the disabled people’s movement. Johnny revisits this subject exploring subjects like consumer control, structuring for power and most importantly how non disabled professionals can truly be allies without taking control. He explores, through real life examples, successes and failure of well meaning people who have had commitment to what it means to be an ally.
Day 1 Sessions
Opening address
Presented By: Andrea Coote, Parliamentary Secretary
Keynote Address
Presented By: Ian Gray, Chief Magistrate of Victoria
The Chief Majistrate will present a broad focus on the court’s programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities including the Assessment and Referral Court List. He will give references to therapeutic jurisprudence principles and emphasis on the court’s problem-solving jurisdiction.
Wheelchair Waltz
Presented by: Johnny Crescendo, International Guest Speaker
In the early 90’s Johnny wrote a ground breaking article (our allies within), on what it takes to be an ally to disabled people and the disabled people’s movement. Johnny revisits this subject exploring subjects like consumer control, structuring for power and most importantly how non disabled professionals can truly be allies without taking control. He explores through real life examples successes and failure of well meaning people who have had commitment. To sum up he explores on a personal, professional and macro level what it means to be an ally.
Songs: Wheelchair waltz, Strong woman.
Twenty Years of the Disability discrimination Act (DDA)
Moderated By: Julie Phillips, Disability Discrimination Legal Service
Panel members include:
- Placido Belardo, Principal Solicitor,Disability Discrimination Legal service
- Graeme Innes, Disability Commissioner
- Rob Daly, Victoria Legal Aid
- Beth Gaze, Lecturer in Discrimination Law, Melbourne University
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is twenty years old. This session will look what the legal landscape was like for the Act, how things have changed and how things can be improved. The topic will be explored from different angles and perspectives.
Accessing legal services
Presented By: Eleanore Fritze and Robyn Mills, Victorian Legal Aid
This session is about accessing legal services, with a particular focus on the legal services that people with a disability might require. This session promotes early access to justice with a focus on the assistance lawyers can provide to help sort out disputes and legal issues without having to go to court, or in a way that is less stressful. It will also encourage people to be proactive in seeking legal help and in working with their lawyer.
The session covers:
- What is a legal issue?
- When should I get legal help?
- Who can give me legal help, including what does a lawyer do?
- How and where do I get legal help?
- Do I have to pay for legal help?
- How should I work with my lawyer?
Guardianship and Supported Decision Making
Moderated By: Greg Leeson, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
Panel Members include:
- John Chesterman, Office for the Public Advocate
- Sophie Delaney, Victoria Legal Aid
- Kevin Stone, VALID
- Anne Coghlan, VCAT
Nothing About Us Without Us: from Across the Tasman
Presented by: Michael Aldridge, National Chairperson & Cindy Johns, National Manager, People First, NZ
This presentation will tell you about People First New Zealand , who we are and what we do and how we are working to make sure the UN Convention will make a difference in New Zealand.
Voting is for Everyone
Presented By: Alex Markham, Victorian Electoral Commission
This session will talk about your rights and why it’s important to vote. You’ll find out wWho can vote and how to get help if you need it.
We will show a short film we made with Scope about voting. Some of the people who helped make the film will be at this session to talk about it.
Strength in Numbers: Let’s Talk about Setting Up a Victorian Self Advocacy Network
Presented By: SARU and Reinforce
A round table workshop for self advocates to talk about setting up a Victorian Self Advocacy Network. Does self advocacy in Victoria need a network? Is it a good idea? How would it run? Who could join? These are just some of the things we will talk about in the session so come along and share your ideas and have your say.
Rural Access to Justice
Presented By: Richard Coverdale, Deakin University
Rural and Regional communities are generally disadvantaged in comparison to people living in larger cities when accessing legal services, programs or the courts.
The Deakin University Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice has recently been established to undertake research around these issues and is working to improving justice system services for rural Victorians.
This session will outline the Centre’s role and activities and the findings of a recent report – Postcode Justice Rural and Regional Disadvantage in the Administration of the Law. Delegates will also be alerted to other activities occurring in this area nationally.
Systemic Advocacy Training -Empowering Women with Disabilities in Local Communities
Presented by: Lauren Hayes, Women with Disabilities Victoria
This presentation will focus on the recent development of a learning package designed to assist women with disabilities in representation and advocacy work. The package is based on a partnership model and will be used to resource a pilot advocacy training program to be held later in the year. It is hoped that the learning package and training program will be rolled out in conjunction with women’s services across the state empowering women with disabilities to raise their voices and address issues of concern for themselves and other women with disabilities.
National Disability Consumer Quality Assurance Tool
Presented By: Matthew Potocnik, Disability Advocate
This IT system allows the individual consumers to give accreditation to the services they use. It provides brokerage of services, identifies gaps in service and the need for specific service development. It data bases individual and systemic issues and matches clients to specific advocacy agencies. NDCQA is perhaps the strongest Human Rights tool developed marring client fee for service with accreditation. NDCQAT is introduced during a clients’ Individual Support Plan assessment. NDCQAT is an evidence based conduit from the grass roots which drives service and culture development and best government practice.
Achieving Systemic Change. People with Disabilities – Missing in Action
Presented By: Julie Phillips, Disability Discrimination Legal Service
Julie Phillips tracks international disability activism over the last century. Is there enough activism in Australia? Has grassroots action fallen prey to a new and different level of “engagement” with people with disabilities? Has the new wave of “disability consultation” and its associated Working Groups, Consultative Committees, Advisory Groups, Blueprints and Disability Action Plans helped or hindered equality of people with disabilities?
Are the bureaucratic relationships between people with disabilities and government helping the cause or weakening our position?
The audience is asked to consider whether disability rights have been progressed or stifled due to the last decades “consultative” approach.
Deafblind World: An Interactive Hands-on Experience of the Impact of Deafblindness
Presented By: Heather Lawson, Trudy Ryall and Michelle Stevens, Victorian Deaf Blind Advocacy Group
Members of the Victorian Deafblind Advocacy Group invite people to come along and take part in a series of hands on interactive activities that provide an insight into what it is like to be deafblind . The activities will be followed by and question and answer session with members of the group.
A History of Disability Advocacy
Presented By: Sarah Barton
In 2010 Sarah Barton travelled on a Churchill Fellowship to England and America and recorded more than 25 interviews with surviving figures from the disability rights movement. Her documentary is still in production but in this session Sarah shares some of the highlights of her journey and tells stories about issues, characters and ideas that she discovered along the way.
Day 2 Sessions
Hypothetical
Moderated By: David Craig
Panel Members Include:
- Kate Bergman, Citizen Advocate
- Seth Howell, Disability Advocate
- Deidre Griffiths, Legal Advocate
- Susan Arthur, Self Advocate
This session will use real life scenarios and allow panel members to respond from their specialist perspectives.
Disability Advocacy and Self Advocacy Working Better Together for Change
Moderated BY: Paul Ramcharan
Panel Members Include:
- Pauline Williams, AMIDA
- Jen Rowley, Gippsland Disability Advocacy
- Colin Hiscoe, Reinforce
- Sue Smith, SARU
- Rachel Walters, New Wave
A panel discussion of successful examples of disability advocacy and self advocacy organisations working together for change. The session will also include discussions about the long term mutual benefits and outcomes that can be achieved as a result of disability advocacy organisations working in partnership with self advocacy groups.
Success Stories about Life by Self Advocates
Presented By: Heather Forsythe and Luke Nelson, VALID
Through the Keys to Success program VALID gives people who use disability support services the skills and confidence to speak up about what they want in their lives.
Self Advocacy and Self Determination skills are important for people who are planning for the future, for some people knowing what they want is easy it’s the making it happen that proves to be the challenge. This session will also include stories by invited guests who will speak about their Person Centred Plans, the dreams they have and the things that they are doing in their lives. They will tell their own stories of how they have achieved their goals.
Everything you wanted to know about strategic Lobbying and Campaigning but were too afraid to ask
Presented By: David Imber, Essential Media Communications
The ability to lobby and campaign are essentials for any advocate- whether you’re helping an individual, a discreet local cause or seeking to affect national social change. Yet the idea of lobbying is scary to many people and campaigning sounds awfully hard and political to others. Well they don’t have to be. If you’ve ever freaked out at the thought of lobbying a politician or worried that you’ve been doing this wrong thing this is the session that can help you with the basics.
This session will provide a definition of the terms and some critical do’s and don’ts for lobbying and campaigning as well as plenty of opportunities for questions and if time permits even some brief discussion in the group. David will also outline briefly some of the elements of the Every Australian Counts campaign which is being supported by EMC.
Advocacy Using Human Rights Legislation
Presented By: Eden Parris, Communication Rights Australia
There has been much discussion in recent years about a human rights-based approach to advocacy. But what are some practical ways we can incorporate human rights legislation into our advocacy, so that people with disabilities can experience greater justice in their lives?
This session will focus on several practical strategies for using human rights in your advocacy.
Making Change Happen
Presented By: Sue Smith, SARU
The session will show a step by step guide to campaigning and lobbying for self advocates. The session will include practical tips and ideas for getting your message out to the community.
Disability Vilification
Presented By: Deborah Randa, Disability Discrimination Legal Service
Deborah Randa discusses the vilification of people with disabilities. Are people actually hated/criticised/put down because of their disabilities? Is this a problem in Australia? Deborah seeks the views of the audience as to whether this is really a problem, and if so, should it be addressed by changing the law
Fight for your Rights
Presented By: Eleanore Fritze, Aimee Cooper, Jessica Richter, Rob Daly, Victorian Legal Aid
Following an introductory presentation about standing up for your rights, lawyers from Victoria Legal Aid will host smaller group discussions, provide practical information and answer questions about the following legal topics which often affect people with disabilities:
- Centrelink issues
- discrimination claims
- interacting with police
- consumer rights
- victims of crime
Criminal Justice System and People with Disabilities
Moderated By: Jessica Richter, Victoria Legal Aid
Panel Members Include:
- Peter Persson, Corrections Victoria
- Kerry Stringer, NEAMI
- Patrick McGee, Office for the Public Advocate
- Ben von Einem, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
People with disabilities are over-represented in the criminal justice system as accused persons, and also face significant challenges as witnesses and victims of crime.
This less favourable treatment combined with the inherent vulnerability of people with disability increases the likelihood of a conviction compared to people without a disability. People with disabilities experience challenges in accessing appropriate legal help and exercising their rights, and can also experience higher rates of incarceration than other people.
In spite of law reform efforts to strengthen the rights of victims of crime who have a cognitive impairment, there are still significant barriers in prosecuting these cases.
People with disabilities should have the same rights, opportunities and choices as people without a disability but this does not appear to be the case.
This session will explore themes such as
- What happens to people with disabilities within the criminal justice system
- How does the legal system inhibit or facilitate cases involving people with disabilities.
- What reforms are required?
Employment for People with Disabilities
Moderated By: Sharon Granek, DARU
Panel Members Include:
- Riki Domagalski
- Kairsty Wilson, Principal Lawyer, AED Legal Service
- Gordon Prior
- People First, NZ
What are the facts, statistics and myths of the employment situation for people with disabilities? How we can work together to overcome the barriers to employment?
This session will explore the experiences of people with disabilities in open employment, supported employment, unemployment and under employment both here and New Zealand.
Discussions will also include the recent court case involving two men with disability lost their bid to prove that thousands of workers on a Commonwealth-funded employment scheme are being underpaid.
My House, My Home, My Rights
Presented By: Colin Hiscoe, Reinforce
Colin will present Reinforce’s new training resource and video “My House, My Home, My rights. The training package is aimed at both community residential unit staff and residents. The video features actors from Dream Theatre and takes you on a journey through a series of events showing a day in the life of people living in a CRU. The training package challenges us all to reflect on how things can be done differently.
Supporting Self advocacy: Reflections on Empowerment, trust and Respect
Presented By: Heidi Peart, Self Advocacy advisor
This workshop examines the findings from a discussion paper aimed at developing a code of conduct for self advocacy advisers and workers. The workshop will include a brief presentation on the research findings and some interactive activities exploring the themes of the paper.
Tear Down the Walls
Presented By: Johnny Crescendo, international Guest Speaker
Johnny talks about the Independent living movement from its birth to present day and beyond. He talks about core philosophy, how it has developed and its future. He talks about ADAPT in the US and the UK’s Direct Action Network’s struggle for IL services and their relative success in “Freeing our people” from institutions and compares British and US policies and practice. He talks about his concerns for the future and the principle of consumer control.
Songs: Tear Down the Walls, Ballad of Josie Evans, Inglis House.
The Social Inclusion of People with an Acquired brain Injury: A Consumer Perspective
Presented By:United Brains and VCASP
Social inclusion, a sense of belonging to community makes people feel cared for, loved and valued which in turn protects wellbeing on the flipside, exclusion is linked to unhappiness, illness and reduced life expectancy. The issues that prevent the social inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury and approaches to foster participation in the social, economic, institutional and symbolic fabric of life will be discussed
The session will end with the launch of United Brains – so come along and join the party!
Rights, the Web and Video tape – A Creative Bridge to the Disability Act
Presented By: Michael Buckley, Film Maker and Jane Hauser, Reinforce
Take a journey through an intriguing new website which creatively explores the Victorian disability act through animation, and video. The website features individuals reflecting on how they use the disability act to campaign for their rights. The session will include a show and tell of some of the interesting and creative videos and resources produced as part of the Act Resource Project.
Speakers
Aimee Cooper, Civil Lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid
Fight for your rights
Aimee assists people with Centrelink, victims of crime, discrimination and equal opportunity, debt, guardianship and administration, tenancy, infringement, and other Council and Commonwealth prosecution matters
Photo of Aimee Cooper, Civil Lawyer, Victoria Legal AidAlex Markham, Education Officer, Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
Deafblind World & My vote my right
Alex’s role is to educate the community about how elections work.
Photo of Alex Markham, Education Officer, Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)Andrea Coote, Parliamentary Secretary for Family and Community Services
Andrea Coote was elected to Parliament in September 1999 and has proved herself to be a pivotal part of the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal Party. She is currently Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services. Andrea’s primary responsibility in this role is with the Disability Sector.
Photo of Andrea Coote, Parliamentary Secretary for Family and Community ServicesAnne Coghlan, Deputy President, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Human rights division
This Division is responsible for the Guardianship List, the Anti-Discrimination List, the Mental Health List and the Health and Privacy List. Anne has extensive experience in the area of Merits Review. Before becoming a member of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, she was a member of the Victorian Administrative Appeals Tribunal, having been appointed to … Continued
Photo of Anne Coghlan, Deputy President, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Human rights divisionBen von Einem, Case Work & Policy Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
Criminal justice system and people with disability
Ben has worked in private practice and as a university lecturer, published legal publications and has particular expertise and experience in the area of criminal law.
Photo of Ben von Einem, Case Work & Policy Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal ServiceBeth Gaze, Lecturer in Discrimination Law, Melbourne University
Beth Gaze teaches anti-discrimination law at Melbourne University Law School, and has written many articles on aspects of the law. She has been a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and the Victorian Mental Health Review Board.
Photo of Beth Gaze, Lecturer in Discrimination Law, Melbourne UniversityCindy Johns, National Manager, People First NZ
Nothing about us without us
Cindy has worked, both voluntary and professionally, alongside people with a learning/ intellectual disability and their families for over 20 years. Cindy also has lived experience of the disability community as she is the parent of a young man with learning disability.
Photo of Cindy Johns, National Manager, People First NZColin Hiscoe, Training Officer, Reinforce
Disability advocacy and self advocacy working better together for change
Colin is passionate about improving the lives of people living in Community Residential Units (CRU) and has committed his life to fighting for the rights of people with a disability.
Photo of Colin Hiscoe, Training Officer, ReinforceDavid Craig, Consultant
Hypothetical
David has worked in the disability sector in Victoria for over 30 years. Over this period he has worked in a variety of roles that include community recreation development and operational management with a large disability service provider, sessional training and lecturing work in disability and recreation courses in tertiary institutions , a short stint in a residential aged care organisation and then 12 years with a state-wide disability advocacy organisation.
Photo of David Craig, ConsultantDavid Imber, Account Director, Essential Media Communications
Everything you wanted to know about strategic lobbying and campaigning but were afraid to ask
David’s understanding of the workings of Government, as well as his experience as an advocate for community organisations, means he has seen campaigns from a number of critical perspectives- from developing a strategy and pitching stories to advising on responding to campaigns.
Photo of David Imber, Account Director, Essential Media CommunicationsDeafblind Victoria,
Deaf blind world
Heather Lawson, Trudy Ryall and Michelle Stevens are founding members of Deafblind Victorians. The group is run by and for people who are Deafblind or who have both vision and hearing impairment. DBV provides the opportunity for people to join together to support each other, share experiences and explore ideas. The group also undertakes advocacy … Continued
Photo of Deafblind Victoria,Deborah Randa, Solicitor, Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)
Disability Vilification
Deborah has worked extensively in the family court system and community legal services prior to starting work at the Disaiblity discrimination legal Service. She has also been involved with some community education projects and has been involved with many community organisations where she has provided her services on a voluntary basis.
Photo of Deborah Randa, Solicitor, Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)Deidre Griffiths, principal lawyer and executive officer of Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc
Fight for your rights
Deidre has worked at Villamanta for thirteen years. During this time she has been an active member of Disability Advocacy Victoria (formerly VDAN), the Disability Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Victoria), working collaboratively on disability rights issues.
Photo of Deidre Griffiths, principal lawyer and executive officer of Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service IncEden Parris, Advocacy Coordinator, Communication Rights Australia
Advocacy using human rights legislation
Eden has a background in law and in the homelessness sector. For the last five years Eden has incorporated human rights legislation into the practice of disability advocacy in order to achieve better social justice outcomes.
Photo of Eden Parris, Advocacy Coordinator, Communication Rights AustraliaEleanore Fritze, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Advocacy team, Civil Justice Program, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).
Accessing legal services
Recently, Eleanore has been involved in providing training and professional support to lawyers working in mental health and disability law and other areas of law which promote social inclusion. She is actively involved in law reform and strategic advocacy to improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
Photo of Eleanore Fritze, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Advocacy team, Civil Justice Program, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).Gordon Prior, Self Advocate
Employment for people with disability
Being institutionalised for much of his life has not stopped Gordon from knowing his rights and becoming an accomplished self advocate. Gordon has finally found a position where his skills are properly acknowledged and he is paid a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work.
Photo of Gordon Prior, Self AdvocateGreg Leeson, Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc.
Guardianship and supported decision making
Greg has worked as a casework and policy and law reform lawyer at Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc. for the past 8 years. During that time he has represented many people in relation to guardianship and administration matters and various other legal issues and provided community legal education on these areas of the law.
Photo of Greg Leeson, Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc.Heather Forsythe, Self Advocate Project Worker,VALID
Success stories about life by self advocates
Heather is interested in helping to support people with a disability to communicate effectively and has worked over many years to become a leader in the intellectual disability field; she has completed several leadership courses and represented self advocates on many committees, including the Victorian Disability Advisory Committee.
Photo of Heather Forsythe, Self Advocate Project Worker,VALIDHeidi Peart, Self Advocacy Advisor
Supporting self advocacy: Reflections on empowerment, trust and respect
Recently completing a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology, Heidi Peart is a self advocacy advisor who has worked in various support roles for people with disability, including recreation, case management and personal care for many years. She has previously produced research reports on disability and accessibility in particular reference to accessing the arts. She … Continued
Photo of Heidi Peart, Self Advocacy AdvisorIan Gray, Chief Magistrate of Victoria
Welcome and opening address
In March 2001 Ian Gray was appointed as the Chief Magistrate of Victoria, and leads 112 magistrates covering 52 court locations throughout the State. From 1982 to 1986 he was in private practice as a solicitor and then as a barrister.
Photo of Ian Gray, Chief Magistrate of VictoriaJane Hauser, President, Reinforce
Strength in numbers: Let’s set up a self advocacy network
Jane has been actively involved in self advocacy for the past ten years. She works as a volunteer at Reinforce three days a week. She has featured in numerous videos and films including Bungee Jumping Lawyers and Love. She is passionate about the closure of all institutions in Australia. Jane is a member of the SARU Project Management group
Photo of Jane Hauser, President, ReinforceJen Rowley,
Disability advocacy and self advocacy working better together for change
Jen has a background in nursing and also as a sessional – teacher in Community Services at TAFE. She has worked in the Community Sector for the past eight years as a disability advocate and Executive Officer with Gippsland Disability Advocacy.
Photo of Jen Rowley,Jessica Richter, Lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid
Criminal justice system and people with disability
Jessica is the criminal law section’s “client group expert” for clients with intellectual disabilities. This means that as well as working primarily as a legal representative for clients who have disabilities, she has developed specialist knowledge and relationships around this client group and the disability sector so that she can be a resource for other practitioners who act for clients with an intellectual disability.
Photo of Jessica Richter, Lawyer, Victoria Legal AidJohn Chesterman, Manager Policy and Education, Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)
Guardianship and supported decision making
John is a trained lawyer and prior to joining OPA he lectured in politics for more than eight years at the University of Melbourne. He has written a number of books, including (with Louise Chappell and Lisa Hill) The Politics of Human Rights in Australia (Cambridge University Press).
Photo of John Chesterman, Manager Policy and Education, Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)Johnny Crescendo, Disability Civil Rights singer/song Writer and activist
Tear down the walls, Wheelchair Waltz
Johnny’s songs “Choices and Rights” and. “Tear Down the Walls” have become anthems for the disability movement in the UK and the United States. In the early ‘90s Johnny led the UK movement to victories removing patronizing representations of disabled people in the media and coine the phrase Disability Pride.
Photo of Johnny Crescendo, Disability Civil Rights singer/song Writer and activistKairsty Wilson, Principal Solicitor, Association for Employees with a Disability (AED) Legal Service
Real change or short changed?, Employment for people with disability, Rights Retrospective
A major highlight during Kairsty’s leadership at AED has been her advocacy to improve the wages and working conditions for people with disability working in business services, now known as Australian Disability Enterprises. This work for people with disabilities was formally recognised by the legal profession in 2011, when the Law Institute of Victoria awarded Kairsty with the Community Lawyer of the Year Award.
Photo of Kairsty Wilson, Principal Solicitor, Association for Employees with a Disability (AED) Legal ServiceKate Bergman, Program Manager, North East citizen Advocacy (NECA)
Hypothetical
Kate has been involved in Citizen Advocacy for 22 years, firstly as a Committee of Management member and also the citizen advocate for a couple with two children. Kate then joined the staff of North East Citizen Advocacy 7 years ago as part-time Program Manager.
Photo of Kate Bergman, Program Manager, North East citizen Advocacy (NECA)Kerry Stringer, Chair, Victorian Coalition of ABI Service Providers (VCASP)
Criminal justice system and people with disability
Kerry has extensive experience in the disability sector and is passionate about working with people with disability and complex needs. Over the past 12 months Kerry has chaired the Victorian Coalition of ABI Service Providers (VCASP).
Photo of Kerry Stringer, Chair, Victorian Coalition of ABI Service Providers (VCASP)Kevin Stone, Executive Officer, VALID
Guardianship and supported decision making
No profile available.
Photo of Kevin Stone, Executive Officer, VALIDLauren Hayes, Project Officer, Women with Disabilities victoria
Empowering women with disabilities in local communities
Lauren was president of Young Blind Citizens Victoria from 2007-2009, and has also served as treasurer, vice-president and as a general member on the committee. In 2008, Lauren was choir director at Medley Hall, a residential college at the University of Melbourne.
Photo of Lauren Hayes, Project Officer, Women with Disabilities victoriaMatthew Potocnik, Advocate
National disability consumer quality assurance tool
Matthew has been campaigning many years to improve systems, particularly in the area of Disability Accommodation Services where he has worked in direct care. He has experienced first-hand the short-falls in the current care and support system for people with disabilities.
Photo of Matthew Potocnik, AdvocateMichael Aldridge, National Chairperson, People first NZ
Nothing about us without us
Michael is the National Chairperson and President of the Top of the South Region. Michael lives in Nelson, New Zealand where he works in a fish factory. Michael is a long standing member of People First and he has represented People First on a range of committee over the years. He is currently on the … Continued
Photo of Michael Aldridge, National Chairperson, People first NZMichael Buckley, Film Maker
Rights, the web and video tape
Michael is a media manipulator, artist, and filmmaker. He has 35 years of experience producing video resources, comics and animations about disability rights issues. He is currently based at the SARU office where he wears many different media hats.
Photo of Michael Buckley, Film MakerPatrick McGee, Coordinator, Aboriginal Justice Campaign, Ofice for the Public Advocate (OPA)
Criminal justice system and people with disability
Patrick has been working in the field of disability for twenty-four years starting out in a government run institution for people with an intellectual disability in 1988. During this period, Patrick completed a certificate in mental retardation nursing.
Photo of Patrick McGee, Coordinator, Aboriginal Justice Campaign, Ofice for the Public Advocate (OPA)Paul Ramcharan, Associate Professor, Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University
Disability advocacy and self advocacy working better together for change
en involved in research with, for and about people with intellectual disability for 23 years and has maintained an interest in the development of self advocacy for most of those years.
Photo of Paul Ramcharan, Associate Professor, Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT UniversityPauline Williams, Advocate, Action for More Independence and Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA)
Disability advocacy and self advocacy working better together for change
During her 16 years at AMIDA, Pauline’s role has included systemic advocacy to achieve such goals as the inclusion in law of residential rights for people with a disability living in shared supported accommodation. AMIDA is involved in promoting these rights to residents empowering them in how to use their rights and Pauline has coordinated the creation of training resources for this purpose.
Peter Persson,
Peter has worked in disability services throughout his working life including day and recreational services, community residential programs and institutions. Following a two year stint in China, he worked for the Office of the Public Advocate and the Department of Human Services, before coming to Corrections in 2002.
Photo of Peter Persson,Placido Belardo, Principal Solicitor, Disability Discrimination Legal service
Twenty years of the Disability Discrimination Act
Placido Belardo was admitted to legal practice in Victoria in November 1998. Previously, he practised criminal law overseas. He commenced working in the community legal centre sector at the Footscray Community Legal Centre in 1999 and later became principal solicitor at Disability Discrimination Legal Service in 2000,a position he holds to date.
Photo of Placido Belardo, Principal Solicitor, Disability Discrimination Legal serviceRachel Walters, Self Advocate, New Wave
Rachel is a proud mum and works part-time. She is also a member of Gippsland Disability Advocacy and is part of the New Wave team that runs the New Wave Self Advocacy Centre which is based in the Gippsland Disability Advocacy Office.
Photo of Rachel Walters, Self Advocate, New WaveReinforce,
Reinforce is a self advocacy organisation run by and for people with an intellectual disability. Reinforce works to ensure that the rights of people with an intellectual disability are upheld in the same way as everyone else in the community. Reinforce provides training, resources, lobbies government, holds forums and promotes socialising and networking. Reinforce is … Continued
Photo of Reinforce,Richard Coverdale, Director, Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice, Deakin University
Rural access to justice
Richard has had extensive experience working in the community sector including the disability field. He was involved in establishing and managing Villamanta Legal Service and a publishing and consulting arm of the service. He also oversaw the establishment of Geelong Community Legal Service, the first legal service outside metropolitan Melbo
Photo of Richard Coverdale, Director, Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice, Deakin UniversityRiki Domagalski,
Employment for people with disability
Moving to adulthood, Riki faces many challenges in getting paid employment despite having years of experience through volunteering with Grit Media (a disability organisation that produce No Limits on C31) and Peer Support work at Yooralla.
Photo of Riki Domagalski,Rob Daly, Lawyer
Twenty years of the Disability Discrimination Act
Rob has been practising as lawyer since 1990 and taken up nomadic career in a variety of roles and variety of places and is now specialising in discrimination law.
Photo of Rob Daly, LawyerRobyn Mills, Program Leader, Mental Health & Disability Advocacy Program, victoria Legal Aid
Accessing legal services
Robyn is a Solicitor and advocate with over 30 years legal experience initially in private practice and for the last 18 years at Victoria Legal Aid. Robyn practices in many facets of administrative law and regularly appears before the Mental Health Review Board (MHRB) and the Guardianship List at VCAT.
Photo of Robyn Mills, Program Leader, Mental Health & Disability Advocacy Program, victoria Legal AidSarah Barton, Producer
A history of disability advocacy
Sarah Barton is an independent documentary maker with more than fifteen years experience as a writer and director and sometimes producer. Her first film Untold Desires (producer Eva Orner 1994) was about sexuality and disability and won the first Logie Award for SBS and an AFI Award for most outstanding documentary.
Photo of Sarah Barton, ProducerSeth Howell, Individual Advocate, VALID
Hypothetical
Seth is an Individual Advocacy Coordinator at VALID, a Statewide Peak Advocacy organization for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Photo of Seth Howell, Individual Advocate, VALIDSharon Granek, Coordinator, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
Employment for people with disability
Sharon has previously worked in various capacities always in the field of diversity including case management, residential and respite care, policy development, housing, education, training and employment, public health and advocacy.
Photo of Sharon Granek, Coordinator, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)Sophie Delaney, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Program, Victoria Legal Aid
Guardianship and supported decision making
Sophie works as a solicitor and advocate in Mental Health Review Board, Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) and Disability Act proceedings. She has published major articles in relation to Victoria’s Mental Health Act and the United Nation Mental Health Principles, and on an optimally rights recognising mental health review tribunal.
Photo of Sophie Delaney, Senior Lawyer, Mental Health and Disability Program, Victoria Legal AidSue Smith, Coordinator, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)
Change with no change, Making change happen
Sue works at SARU and enjoys sharing advice and ideas gained from her thirty years’ experience in self advocacy and community development. She is currently the chairperson of start Community Art and has helped manage community arts projects in partnership with community organisations including Compassionate Friends, Self Help Addiction Resource Centre, Warrior Women and Reinforce. … Continued
Photo of Sue Smith, Coordinator, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)Susan Arthur, Self Advocate
Fight for your rights
I’m very passionate about helping people with disabilities I volunteer as a self advocate with Reinforce where I was recently elected as Assistant Secretary. My passion is to make the world a better place for parents with intellectual disabilities and I hope that one day parents with I.D. can keep their children with the support they need.
Photo of Susan Arthur, Self AdvocateUnited Brains,
Social inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury: A consumer perspective
United Brains is a recently established support network comprised of Victorian self help and self advocacy groups for people with an ABI.
Photo of United Brains,VCASP,
Social inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury: A consumer perspective
VCASP, the Victorian Coalition of ABI Service Providers, was established in 1998, in response to the need for co-ordinated policy and service development for people affected by acquired brain injury (ABI).
Photo of VCASP,Venue
Precinct Information
Melbourne & Olympic Park Convention Centre is located within the Tennis Centre precinct – behind Rod Laver Arena and next to Garden Square (see map below). The most accessible entry point is via the North Gate where a ramp takes you straight to the Convention Centre balcony from the taxi drop off point.
Large venues can often be confusing. To minimise the risk of losing delegates, volunteer ushers will be on hand at all the main entry points to direct and assist you to the Convention Centre.
Venue Layout
The Convention Centre rooms are all on one level leading from front balcony. For this event, the main entrance will be the Skyline Room. (see map below).
The Skyline room is where you will find the registration desk and the ‘Reel Zone’ film space and where morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be served. All session rooms are accessed from the Skyline.
The River room is the main stage where all plenary sessions and many of the panel sessions are held. The layout is a combination of caberet and theatre style loyoutThe presenter room can be found to the right of the stage in the River room.
The Park room will be divided. Park 1 is the larger space set in caberet style. Park 2 is smaller space set in theatre style.
The Yarra Room will not be in use.
The Convention Centre imposes a “No Smoking” policy within all enclosed areas. Smoking is permitted on the Function Centre balcony.
Getting There
Train
The closest train stations to the Melbourne Park Convention Centre are Richmond, Flinders Street and Jolimont. From these stations it’s an easy walk or connect with the tram service from Richmond, Southern Cross or Flinders Street (see details in relevant sections below).
Train lines that go through Richmond station include Belgrave, Lilydale, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Frankston, Sandringham and Alamein.
Train lines that go through Jolimont station include Epping and Hurstbridge
All metropolitan train lines terminate at Flinders Street station.
Tram
Route 70, City – Wattle Park, is the tram to catch to Rod Laver Arena, stop 7B. This tram connects at Flinders Street, Southern Cross and Richmond stations.
Note: The trams used on this service are NOT wheelchair accessible.
Taxi
Let your driver know to use entrance D, Northern Carpark, from Olympic Boulevard (formerly Swan Street). There is a taxi drop off point outside Garden Square. Drivers will need to take a parking ticket but can exit at no cost within a 20 minute time period.
Alternatively, you can be dropped off at the rank on Olympic Boulevard (formerly Swan Street) however wheelchair users would need to use the lift (which is not very obvious to find) to get to the Rod Laver concourse. Follow the concourse level around to the right to get to the Convention Centre.
Walking
From Richmond station, it’s a 10 minute stroll along Olympic Boulevard (formerly Swan Street. Enter the front gates to Rod Laver Arena, up the stairs and follow the concourse around to the right which will take you to the Convention Centre.
From Flinders Street station, it’s a 15 minute walk through Federation Square and the Birrarung Marr parklands along the Yarra River. Cross Batman Avenue and then follow the tram line to the Garden Square gate.
From Jollimont station, it’s a 10-15 minute walk south through Yarra park and around the MCG in an anti-clockwise direction to the pedestrian bridge to the Garden Square entrance.
Parking
Use the northern carpark which is accessed via Entrance D off Olympic Boulevard (formerly Swan Street. Cost is $7.50 per day which you can pay on the day or prebook at:
www.mopt.com.au
To get to the Convention Centre, enter the Garden Square gates and take the ramp on the
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Past conferences
2019 Advocacy under pressure
The pressure on disability advocacy organisations is relentless. The overwhelming demand for advocacy support through review and appeals processes within national systems means that many organisations are, for the first time, putting waitlists in place as a way of managing the onslaught. Endless efforts don’t seem to be resolving the inherent unfairness and gaining basic rights for people with disability. Burnout is becoming an increasing reality for many disability advocates and yet another thing that organisations need to manage. Read more >
2018 Doing disability differently
It’s an election year in Victoria. This conference is a platform to let our politicians know about what needs to change for people with disability. It’s time to celebrate diversity and showcase a range of perspectives while keeping a keen focus on what needs to change. Read more >
2017
Getting into gear
for the NDIS journey
It's all over for another year and it's fair to say that we let the clutch out on the NDIS. We heard from a dynamic range of speakers, welcomed a few last minute replacements and shared many experiences and ideas. Choc tops and popcorn hit the spot at the screening of Defiant Lives and a national campaign to raise awareness of the value of advocacy (see latest news for more info) was muted in the final session on the 'Gearing Up' day. Read more >
2016
Putting rights
centre stage
This conference takes place at a time of great change and importance. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is being rolled out, with launch sites operating amid much political, policy and practical uncertainty. The 2013-2016 Victorian state disability plan has been in place for a year. Read more >
2014
Champions
of change
This conference takes place at a time of great change and importance. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is being rolled out, with launch sites operating amid much political, policy and practical uncertainty. The 2013-2016 Victorian state disability plan has been in place for a year. Read more >
2012 Disability Advocacy and the Legal System: You Be The Judge!
Our 3rd conference aims to make sure the disability advocacy sector understands and is well equipped to use the legal system in their work. Read more >