Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2023

Other lifeboats in the ocean

Mon 4 Sept 2023 | 10am - 4:30pm

About

We’ve all heard Minister Bill Shorten say that the NDIS was never meant to be the only lifeboat in the ocean. He said in anAFR article in April 2023 “States need to honour their commitment to their citizens with disability and provide them with high-quality, inclusive healthcare, education, transport, housing, justice, as it’s their responsibility.”

Has Victoria responded to the challenge? What is happening to make inclusion and access a priority? How can we work together to make a truly Inclusive Victoria that we all want to see?

People with disability have the right to be contributing members of their communities and provided with reasonable adjustments to effect equal opportunity in any area of life they choose. However choice and control remains a distant dream for too many people with disability as they continue to confront barrier after barrier. The high demand for advocacy suggests that people with disability continue to be denied access to adequate health services, a meaningful education, fairness in the justice system and housing and transport that promote independence and wellbeing.

At the 2023 Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference we will look at what lifeboats are afloat for Victorians with disability and showcase what’s going on at the grassroots to make inclusion real.

Latest news

Canary in the coal mine? The value of disability advocacy

Posted November 3, 2023

The role of disability advocates is a vital part of protecting the rights of people with disability, giving them a voice, and helping them to self-advocate. They are also the “canary in the coal mine” – as frontline workers advocates have insight and knowledge of when abuse and injustice is taking place, and are able … Continued

Conference recording and photos now available

Posted October 17, 2023

DARU’s 2023 Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference (4th September 2023) looked at what lifeboats are afloat for Victorians with disability and showcase what’s going on at the grassroots to make inclusion real. You can watch the recording of the Conference via the videos below. Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2023 – Introduction and Welcome to Country Keynote … Continued

SDAC23 sold out!

Posted August 1, 2023

Thanks so much for your interest in the conference this year. We have sold out, yep not a single ticket left. Sorry if you missed out but there is now a waitlist in place so it’s worth registering as there is a high chance that there will be some cancellations given the amount of bugs … Continued

Preliminary program available

Posted July 17, 2023

Planning is underway at a rapid rate of knots and a preliminary program is now available. Heaps of knowledgeable and interesting people have been invited to steer thought provoking conversations and we can’t wait to let you know who they are as they confirm. for now though, check out the program.

Get your ticket for SDAC2023

Posted July 10, 2023

The 2023 Strengthening Disability advocacy Conference is returning after a three year hiatus! It’s our first in person event since COVID so we look forward to welcoming you in real life. Planning is still underway so stay tuned for more details about the program and speakers. This year the conference will focus on how Victoria … Continued

Save the date!

Posted July 4, 2023

The 2023 Strengthening Disability advocacy Conference is back at NB The Hall on Monday 4 September. It’s our first in person event since COVID so we look forward to welcoming you in real life. Planning is still underway so stay tuned for more details about the program, speakers and tickets. This year the conference will … Continued

More conference news >

Program

Monday 4th September, 2023

10:00am - 10:15am

Location: The Hall

Ahoy!

Facilitated by: Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Speaker: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation,

Introduction | Welcome to Country

10:15am - 11:10am

Location: The Hall

Shiver me timbers! Advocacy and inclusion

Facilitated by: Ryan Sheales, Director Communications, VCOSS

Speakers:

Sam Drummond, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Chris Varney, Chairperson, Victorian Disability Advisory Council
Caitlin Syer, Member, Victorian Disability Advisory Council

The systems juggernaut has been in dry docks for some time while inspection and investigation has been underway. Unfortunately, too many rotting and split timbers were found, rendering her unseaworthy. What repairs can be done to get her full steam ahead again?

11:10am - 11:40am

Location: Foyer

Morning tea

11:40am - 12:10pm

Location: The Hall

Keynote: Stuck in the doldrums

Facilitated by: Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Speaker: Leah Van Poppel, Board Director, NDIA

Why aren’t the rights of people with disability embedded effectively in our universal service systems and mainstream policies?  What needs to happen for full inclusion to be real and ensure that the lives of people with disability are free from abuse and exploitation?  We need a fresh, strong wind to blow us out of these doldrums!

12:10pm - 12:30pm

Location: The Hall

Captains of Inclusion: Voice at the Table

Facilitated by: Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Speakers:

Cameron Bloomfield, Self Advocate
Julyne Ainsley, Self Advocate

To make disability inclusion policy effective, the voice of people with disability should be steering the ship. But how do mainstream systems connect and learn about what will make a real difference? Hear from the Voice at the Table team about their experiences of disability inclusion in mainstream systems, and how empowering people to self advocate is critical in making inclusion work.

12:30pm - 12:40pm

Location: The Hall

Minister’s Address

Facilitated by: Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Speaker: Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services | Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers

12:40pm - 1:30pm

Location: Foyer

Lunch and networking

1:30pm - 2:40pm

Location: The Hall

Get on board the showboat: Progressing disability inclusion in mainstream systems

Speakers:

Maya Ramakrishnan, Acting Executive Director, Social Housing Reform | Housing Policy Branch, Homes Victoria
Jen Hargrave, Researcher
Monica Kelly, State Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Adviser and Executive Director in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division of Vic Department of Health.
Emily Piggott, Senior Advisor, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Innovative Justice, RMIT.

Identifying and removing barriers for diversity groups is increasingly becoming a priority. Onboard we have a hard working crew to show us the ropes across several portfolios. You’ll be presented with lightning initiative snapshots for each area. Are they genuinely progressing inclusion or are we just rearranging the deck chairs?

2:40pm - 3:10pm

Location: Foyer

Afternoon tea

3:10pm - 4:15pm

Location: The Hall

All hands on deck: Implementing effective inclusion

Facilitated by: Julie Phillips, Disability advocacy Victoria

With a tidal wave of evidence and research providing practical recommendations on how to remove barriers and make things better, why is implementing them all at sea? Some gains have been made in universal access and there are protections for people with disability under discrimination law, but mostly it feels like rationing to ships biscuits.

4:15pm - 4:30pm

Location: The Hall

Closing: May you have fair winds and following seas

Facilitated by: Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

The use of the expression “fair winds” is used to wish a person a safe journey or good fortune. Whilst “following seas” is used to express a smooth journey.

Note: The program is subject to change. Details will be added as sessions and speakers confirm.

Speakers

Caitlin Syer, Member, Victorian Disability Advisory Council

Shiver me timbers! Advocacy and inclusion

Caitlin Syer is a young woman with intellectual disability and dyspraxia. Caitlin thinks that people with intellectual disability have limited opportunities, especially in areas of education and employment, something she is passionate to change to bring about a more inclusive Victoria. Caitlin works at the Behavioural Insight division at Victorian Public Sector Commission and at … Continued

Photo of Caitlin Syer, Member, Victorian Disability Advisory Council

Cameron Bloomfield, Self Advocate

Captains of Inclusion: Voice at the Table

Cameron is a passionate self advocate with a wide range of experience in the disability advocacy sector. He is a trainer at Voice At The Table, delivering workshops to people with cognitive disabilities about speaking up and knowing your rights and being included on management committees and advisory groups. Cameron is the peer worker for … Continued

Photo of Cameron Bloomfield, Self Advocate

Chris Varney, Chairperson, Victorian Disability Advisory Council

Shiver me timbers! Advocacy and inclusion

Chris (he/him) is proudly autistic and is the Founding Director and Chief Enabling Officer of I CAN Network, Australia’s largest autistic-led organisation. I CAN employ 74 autistic adults and mentors over 2,000 young people through 130 I CAN School programs and I CAN Online. Prior to founding I CAN, Chris was previously a Youth Representative … Continued

Photo of Chris Varney, Chairperson, Victorian Disability Advisory Council

Emily Piggott, Senior Advisor, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Innovative Justice, RMIT.

Get on board the showboat: Progressing disability inclusion in mainstream systems

Emily is a social worker with extensive direct practice experience working with people with disability involved in the criminal justice system. She has experience in research, project management, and systemic and individual advocacy. Emily has previously worked in community organisations and government as a practitioner and people manager, and has worked with both women and … Continued

Photo of Emily Piggott, Senior Advisor, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Innovative Justice, RMIT.

Jen Hargrave, Researcher

Get on board the showboat: Progressing disability inclusion in mainstream systems

Jen Hargrave works in University teams researching the safety and rights of people with disabilities. Jen has had ongoing input into Victoria’s family violence reforms through various roles, including policy at Women with Disabilities Victoria.

Photo of Jen Hargrave, Researcher

Julie Phillips, Disability advocacy Victoria

All hands on deck: Implementing effective inclusion

Julie Phillips has been working in the disability sector for over 30 years. As a Community Worker for the Victorian Deaf Society, Julie began advocating for members of the Deaf Community and supporting their rights to equal access in 1989 and continues that involvement to date. Currently, Julie is Manager of the Disability Discrimination Legal … Continued

Photo of Julie Phillips, Disability advocacy Victoria

Julyne Ainsley, Self Advocate

Captains of Inclusion: Voice at the Table

As a woman with an acquired brain injury, Julyne has faced many challenges but has consistently worked to overcome them. Julyne has transformed from someone who found speaking up difficult to becoming a skilled self advocate who supports other people with disabilities to find their voice. Julyne is a highly valued trainer and member of … Continued

Photo of Julyne Ainsley, Self Advocate

Leah Van Poppel, Board Director, NDIA

Keynote: Stuck in the doldrums

Ms Leah van Poppel is a member of the NDIA Board, Chair of the Victorian NDIS Community Advisory and a member of the NDIS Independent Advisory Council (IAC). A highly-respected leader and disability rights advocate, Ms van Poppel was CEO of Women with Disabilities Victoria from 2018-2021. In this position, she worked to empower marginalised … Continued

Photo of Leah Van Poppel, Board Director, NDIA

Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services | Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers

Minister’s Address

MP Lizzie Blandthorn was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2014. She has been Minister for Child Protection and Family Services, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council since December 2022. She has previously held positions as Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers December 2018 … Continued

Photo of Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services | Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers

Maya Ramakrishnan, Acting Executive Director, Social Housing Reform | Housing Policy Branch, Homes Victoria

Get on board the showboat: Progressing disability inclusion in mainstream systems

Maya Ramakrishnan leads Homes Victoria’s teams responsible for development of social and affordable housing policy and reform. This includes Aboriginal Housing policy, local government engagement, mental health and affordable housing dwellings in the Big Housing Build. Maya was involved in the policy design for the Big Housing Build, announced by the Government in November 2020, … Continued

Photo of Maya Ramakrishnan, Acting Executive Director, Social Housing Reform | Housing Policy Branch, Homes Victoria

Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Ahoy!

Melissa Hale is the Manager of Disability Advocacy Resource Unit auspiced by the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) and Disability Advocacy Victoria which resources and builds the capacity of the disability advocacy sector in Victoria. In addition to this, Melissa is an alumni and valedictorian of the 2021 Williamson Leadership Program with Leadership Victoria, … Continued

Photo of Melissa Hale, Manager, Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

Monica Kelly, State Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Adviser and Executive Director in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division of Vic Department of Health.

Get on board the showboat: Progressing disability inclusion in mainstream systems

Monica is Victoria’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Adviser, commencing in the role in June 2022. She is also the Executive Director of the Prevention, Equity and First People’s Branch of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division in the Victorian Department of Health. She has worked as an Executive in Public Health, Primary Care … Continued

Photo of Monica Kelly, State Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Adviser and Executive Director in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division of Vic Department of Health.

Ryan Sheales, Director Communications, VCOSS

Shiver me timbers! Advocacy and inclusion

Ryan Sheales is the Director of Communications at the Victorian Council of Social Service. He specialises in messaging, advocacy, digital engagement and media. He manages the public release and promotion of flagship VCOSS publications including the annual Victorian Budget submission and the quadrennial VCOSS Election Platform, as well periodic issues papers and reports. He loves finding … Continued

Photo of Ryan Sheales, Director Communications, VCOSS

Sam Drummond, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Shiver me timbers! Advocacy and inclusion

Sam is the Senior Policy and Research Officer at the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. He is also a discrimination lawyer, human rights advocate and ambassador of the Includability Project with the Australian Human Rights Commission. If that wasn’t enough, he sits on the community panel of the Ad Standards that adjudicates complaints … Continued

Photo of Sam Drummond, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation,

Ahoy!

Details coming soon.

Note: the Lin-up is subject to change.

Venue

The Hall @ NAB
700 Bourke Street, Docklands

National Australia Bank have created a hub in Melbourne’s CBD with a range of meeting rooms and technologies available to NAB customers in a modern, architecturally interesting building.

The building design incorporates access features including talking lifts with tactile buttons, accessible toilet on the same level as The Hall and safe taxi drop off and pick up point. Being located right next to Southern Cross station with entrance directly from the Bourke Street concourse further adds to the access credentials.

These facilities are offered to NAB not-for-profit customers free of charge. DARU is pleased to take advantage of this offer and we look forward to welcoming you here in September.

COVID measures

As per Government guidance, masks aren’t mandatory but if you feel more comfortable wearing one it’s absolutely welcomed. Masks will be provided for those who wish to wear one, and there will be hand sanitising stations dotted around the room.

Remember that anyone who is displaying symptoms or feeling unwell on the day should stay at home. All the sessions will be recorded so you can catch up on the content later.

Getting there

The Hall is located on level 3. There are two main entrances:

Bourke Street concourse (the pedestrian bridge extension of Bourke Street) – level 2
Taxi drop off – level P1 (see taxi information below for details)

From both the concourse and P1 entrances there is lift, escalator and stair options to take you to Level 3. Look out for the volunteers to ask directions. They’ll be waring red vests with a fire logo.

If you need assistance at either Southern Cross or Flinders Street stations, get in touch with Travellers Aid. They provide a buggy service, mobility aid hire and companion assistance amongst other things.,

Here’s information to assist your journey in getting there…

Train

Southern Cross Station is virtually on the doorstep which is very convenient as most metropolitan lines, and all regional lines, go through Southern Cross.

Coming from a train platform at Southern Cross Station:

Head to the northern end of the platform (the Etihad stadium end).
Take the lift up to the Bourke Street concourse.
Once you reach the concourse, turn left.

You should see the NAB building almost immediately as it is the first building on the right over the tracks. Once inside the very impressive atrium, take the escalator directly in front of you, or the lift on the right, up one level to The Hall.

Tram

Trams that stop at Southern Cross station include:

Spencer Street routes – 12, 48, 75, 96, 109 & City Circle
Collins Street routes – 11, 12, 42 & 109
Bourke Street routes – 86 & 96

Taxi

The taxi drop off point at 700 Bourke Street is located opposite the Channel Nine studios. The taxi rank located outside Platform 28 night club can also be used as a drop off point. The Platform 23 rank is recommended as the pick up point when booking taxis for return journeys home.

Getting to NAB from the Platform 23 rank:

Cross at the pedestrian lights.
Turn right and follow the footpath to the NAB entrance. You have arrived at level P1.
Go to level 3 using either the lift or escalator.
On level 3, The Hall is located to the right of the escalator.

Parking

Etihad Stadium’s car park provides 24-hour security and surveillance seven days a week. The fully covered and underground facility is located only a short walking distance from NAB.

Visit the website for information on rates or to book your space in advance online:
http://etihadstadium.com.au/car-park-options/

Note: Event discounts are only applicable for events held at the stadium.

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

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 >

Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2023 Other lifeboats in the ocean

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Latest news

Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2023

Other lifeboats in the ocean