Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2023
Other lifeboats in the ocean

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

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

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?

When

Monday 4th September, 2023: 1:30pm - 2:40pm

Where

The Hall

Speakers

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

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

Jen Hargrave, Researcher

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

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

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.

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

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.

Session Summary

Identifying and removing barriers for diversity groups is increasingly becoming a priority for government and the services they fund. So what initiatives are improving access and promoting inclusion for people with disability?

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. Have your say on how progressive they are. Does the apparent genuine desire to make inclusion real for people with disability equal actual progress or are we just rearranging the deck chairs?