Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2023
Other lifeboats in the ocean

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

Captains of Inclusion: Voice at the Table

When

Monday 4th September, 2023: 12:10pm - 12:30pm

Where

The Hall

Speakers

Facilitated by:

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

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)

Panelists include:

Cameron Bloomfield, Self Advocate

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

Julyne Ainsley, Self Advocate

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

Session Summary

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.