Strengthening Disability Advocacy conference 2014
Champions of change
About
Welcome to the Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2014, which brings together champions of change from across Australia, representing many sectors and issues.
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 Victorian state disability plan 2013-2016 has been in place for a year
- the new Federal Government has been in office for a year and its first Budget has outlined major changes to disability eligibility and support and the defunding of Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner
- disability advocacy organisations are set to commence the final year of our three year contracts
- a state election will be held in Victoria in just a few months.
This year’s program therefore seeks to take stock of the dramatic changes we have seen since we met up last in 2012 and the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming years. We want to look at what change has been achieved, how it came about, whether it has delivered what we hoped for, and what our priorities now must be.
We look forward to coming together with you all to:
- learn more about the big issues facing people with a disability including employment, inclusive education, the justice system and the NDIS
- discuss new and creative ways to advocate for change
- meet new people and increase your professional and personal networks.
We hope these two days provide you with much food for thought, lots of connections, and practical tools to help with your work. Of course, we also want to make sure you have some fun too!
Latest news
More Champions of Change Podcasts
Conference podcasts now available
Self Advocates on their Way
Registrations have Closed
Brick Walls and Plans for Champions of Change
Program
Monday 4th August, 2014
Official welcome
Speaker: Andrea Coote, Parliamentary Secretary for Family and Community Services
Andrea Coote was elected to Parliament in September 1999 andhas proved herself to be a pivotal part of the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal Party.
Tuesday 5th August, 2014
Tools for making change happen
Speaker: Lauren Henley, National Policy Officer, Blind Citizens Australia
Learn the most effective ways to run an advocacy campaign and discover successful strategies used by advocacy organisations.
Let’s talk about sex
Speakers:
- Dean Dadson, Project Officer, Self Advocacy Resource Unit
- Dr Patsie Frawley, Research Fellow, La Trobe University
- Dr George Taleporos, Executive Officer, Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
- Glynn Evans, Team Leader of the Department Of Human Services ASIST / Outreach Program
- Christian Astourian, Program Manager of the Diversity and Disability program at the Migrant Resource Centre North West (MRCNW)
- Greg Axtens, Self Advocate
- Sharon Granek, Coordinator, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
Your accessible accommodation or mine? Get ready for a frank panel discussion about the ways people with a disability express their sexuality and needs within relationships. The covers are peeled back and the panel will look at challenges faced by people with a disability when asserting their right to a fulfilling life.
Bully or victim?
Speaker: Dream Theatre,
A lot of self advocates say that bullying is a big problem for people with a disability. In this session you will see a video about bullying and you will have the chance to talk about what can be done to stop the problem of bullying.
Monday 4th August, 2014
Keynote address: Advocates are champions
Speaker: Graeme Inness, Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Graeme Innes speaks about the critical role that advocates can play when championing the rights of people with a disability. This keynote address is only weeks after his final address to the National Press Club as Disability discrimination Commissioner.
Not another brick in the wall: Making education inclusive
Facilitated by: Stephanie Gotlib, Executive Officer, Children With Disability Australia
Speakers:
- Nicholas Pole, Deputy Secretary, Regional Support Group, Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
- Madeleine Sobb, Advocate and Student
- Elizabeth McGarry, Chief Eexecutive Officer of the Association for Children with a Disability (ACD)
Stephanie Gotlib
With all the talk about Gonski reform, disability loading in schools funding, social inclusion and belonging, how can we ensure that children with disabilities achieve a meaningful learning experience? This panel session, chaired by Stephanie Gotlib, Executive Officer of Children With Disability Australia, discusses policy that will positively impact on inclusive education for students with a disability.
Strength in numbers
Speaker: Victorian Self Advocacy Network (VSAN)Committee,
The Victorian Self Advocacy Network VSAN was launched in November 2013 in response to interest for such a network from more than 90 delegates at the last Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference. This session will be an opportunity to learn all about how VSAN works, to explore ideas, talk about issues and let the Committee know what you think VSAN should be doing.
Real change or short changed?
Speakers:
- Kairsty Wilson, Principal Solicitor, Association for Employees with a Disability (AED) Legal Service
- Viv Avery, Lawyer, Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc.
Hear from AED Legal Service and Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Services campaign leaders about how they achieved systemic change through grassroots advocacy. What strategies did they use? Did they achieve real change or find themselves short-changed? What would they do differently in future? The session canvases AED’s work to secure fair wage rates for people with an intellectual disability and Villamanta’s campaign against the fee hike for people living in community residential units.
Captains of change: Q&A with Commissioners, Public Advocate and Senior Practitioner
Facilitated by: Graeme Inness, Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Speakers:
- Laurie Harkin, Disability Services Commissioner
- Colleen Pearce, Public Advocate
- Kate Jenkins, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human rights Commissioner
- Bernie Geary, Principal Commissioner, Commission for Children and Young People
- Dr Frank Lambrick, Senior Practitioner Disability, Department of Human Services
- Dr Grant Davies, Acting Health Services Commissioner, Department of Health
This conversation, moderated by Graeme Innes, former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, challenges thinking on ways to influence change. Panellists are asked about the way they advocate for change and how they use their positions of authority to safeguard the rights of people with a disability. How does this help advocates in their work? And what do they see as the hot topics?
Deafblind World & My vote my right
Speakers:
- Deafblind Victoria,
- Matthew Potocnik, Education and Disability Engagement Officer for the Victorian Electoral Commission
DeafBlind Victorians deliver their interactive hands-on presentation DeafBlind World that shows what it is like to be deafblind. Then Matthew Potocnik, Education and Disability Engagement Officer at Victorian Electoral Commission explains how easy it is to vote and what help is available to make sure you get your voice heard in this year’s State election.
Spreading the word & Hitchhiker’s guide
Speakers:
- Reinforce,
- New Wave,
- Peta Ferguson, President, Brain Injury Matters (BIM
- Lisa Brumtis, Self Advocate
- Neil Cameron, Self Advocate, Brain Injury Matters
- Kelvin Lim, Self Advocate
Members from Reinforce and New Wave talk about the different ways they spread the word on issues facing people with intellectual disabilities and what they do to let people know about, and get, their rights. Peta Ferguson, President of Brain Injury Matters (BIM), describes the production of two kits, The Hitch-hiker’s Guide through the Brain maze and the associated speakers kit, showing how they work and their importance. Then a brief explanation of what causes ABI, the short and long term effects and the negative community attitudes to this sometimes hidden disability followed by three BIM members sharing their personal journeys:
A plan for change
Facilitated by: Maryanne Diamond, General Manager Advocacy and Engagement, Vision Australia
Speakers:
- Michael Cromie, Acting Manager, Victorian Office for Disability
- Keran Howe, Executive Officer, Women with Disabilities Victoria
- Liz Kelly, Co-director of TLConsult
- Laura Lo Bianco–Smith, Manager Transport Accessibility, Public Transport Victoria
Is the State Disability Plan making change happen? How can advocates use the plan to make change happen in their communities? How have advocates already used the plan to make change happen? These are just some of the questions that Maryanne Diamond, General Manager Advocacy and Engagement at Vision Australia and former World Blind Union President, puts to this interactive and engaging panel.
Pssst, have you heard about the UN Convention?
Speakers:
- Jacqui Ward, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)
- Peta Ferguson, President, Brain Injury Matters (BIM
This session showcases the latest resources developed by SARU including the Pssst Kit. Jacqui Ward, Self advocacy Unit (SARU) and Peta Ferguson, Brain Injury Matters (BIM), do a show-and-tell of fun resources and videos finishing with an all inclusive game of UNCRPD Bingo.
Change with no change
Speaker: Sue Smith, Coordinator, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)
Sue Smith, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) Coordinator has many years experience of raising awareness on issues concerning people with a disability. She has done this on a shoe string without the back up of a glossy marketing department. In this session, Sue shares her ideas for making change happen when you have little or no money and encourages discussion from the floor.
Tuesday 5th August, 2014
NDIS championing for choice and control
Facilitated by: Bill Lawler, Advocate
Speakers:
- Jayne Crouch, Mother, Carer and LEAD Barwon Graduate
- Tina Gulino, LEAD Barwon Graduate
- Thomas Banks, Performer and LEAD Barwon Graduate
Bill Lawler, an independet advocate, takes us on a journey with three participants from the NDIS launch site in the Barwon, Otway and Surf Coast region. We learn about their experience of determining their eligibility for the scheme, developing their support packages, connecting with service providers, and what it feels like to have choice and control. Panel members are from the LEAD Barwon project:
Working for change
Facilitated by: Geoff Crawford, Operations Coordinator / Public Officer, Australians for Disability and Diversity Employment (ADDE)
Speakers:
- Liz Kelly, Co-director of TLConsult
- Martin Stewart, Disability Employment Advocate, Australians for Disability and Diversity Employment (ADDE)
- Robert Pask, Safe Futures Foundation
This session examines the issues that make it difficult for people with a disability to access employment. Geoff Crawford, the Operations Manager at Australians for Disability and Diversity Employment (ADDE), asks the panelists, who all have the lived experience of disability, to expand on what can be done to address legal and attitudinal barriers to greater employment participation.
A champion of change on the world stage
Speaker: Judy Huett, Self Advocate
Judy Huett
Judy Huett, a leading self advocate from Tasmania, talks about her work on boards and committees including representing Australia on the UN Committee on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Geneva.
Justice system: Double whammy
Speaker: Julie Phillips, Manager, Disability discrimination Legal Service
People with disabilities are more likely than other Victorians to be in prison and to be victims of crime. How can we turn the recommendations from recent justice inquiries into positive action? How can we influence government policy and put an end to this shameful situation? Julie Phillips from the Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS) discusses why the problems continue when we know what the answers are.
Finale
Speakers:
- First Dog on the Moon, Award winning Cartoonist for the Guardian
- Shaking the Tree,
Featuring Australia’s much loved cartoonist Andrew Marlton, otherwise known as First Dog on the Moon, gives us a wrap then the acclaimed Shaking the Tree choir takes us out with songs that give difference a whole new meaning.
Additional events
Reel Zone
Location: Skyline Room
The Reel Zone is a movie theatre telling real life stories of people with disabilities who realise that they have an equal right to a life of meaningful education, relationships, employment and community involvement. However, their journeys show that this simple wish is often only achieved at the end of a long bumpy road. Reel Rage, a collection of music video clips that will empower and inspire you will run over the lunch break.
Speakers
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
Tickets
Tickets are on sale from Monday 3 February 2014. The earlybird %10 discount has been extended until 30 May 2014.
The ticket price includes:
- 2 days of sessions
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided each day
- Tea, coffee and water always available each day
- Conference satchel
- Access to the online Conference Resource Kit
Participation and access
The conference planning team is committed to making this event as accessible and inclusive as possible. There is space on the Registration Form to let us know if you have any requirements that would make your participation easier.
There will be instant captioning provided in the main plenary room and attendant carers on hand to assist. Support Workers will also be available at the SARU table. All rooms are on one level.
The catering package includes dietary options for vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, gluten free and food allergies. Other needs may incur an additional cost. Make sure you let us know when you register if you have specific needs.
Payment Options
Payment methods include Visa, MasterCard and EFT using PayPal through Eventbrite, a secure online ticketing application. Cheque and cash payments can be arranged by contacting DARU. The confirmation email you receive once your registration is complete, can be used as a Tax Invoice for those organisations that require one.
Tickets are non-refundable. If you are not able to attend, your ticket can be transferred to a friend or colleague.
Tickets
Disability Advocate Earlybird – $275.00
For advocates providing independent advocacy within a state or federally funded disability advocacy organisation.
Available: 3 February – 30 May2014 unless sold out
Community Sector Earlybird – $315.00
For unaffiliated advocates, parents, people working in disability services or a not for profit organisation.
Available: 3 February – 30 May2014 unles sold out
Government Sector Earlybird – $425.00
For people working in local, state or federal government departments or agencies.
Available: 3 February – 30 May2014 unless sold out
Concession – $250.00
For recipients of a Centrelink benefit (e.g Disability Support Pension or Carers Allowance) and students.
Available: 3 February – 27 July 2014
Disability Advocate – $300.00
For advocates providing independent advocacy within a state or federally funded disability advocacy organisation.
Available: 1 May – 27 July 2014
Community Sector – $350.00
For unaffiliated advocates, parents, people working in disability services or a not for profit organisation.
Available: 1 May – 27 July 2014
Government Sector – $470.00
For people working in local, state or federal government departments or agencies.
Available: 1 May – 27 July 2014
Need Help?
If you have any queries or if you require assistance with online registration, contact DARU on (03) 9639 5807.
Prices
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Past conferences
2019 Advocacy under pressure
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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
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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 >