Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2016

Putting rights centre stage

Friday 2 September @ NAB, The Hall, 700 Bourke Street, Docklands

About

Session summaries now available

Summaries from the conference sessions are now available on this site through the program page and include all the multi-media presentations and links to resources relating to the panel discussions. Click the relevant session title for full summary.

It’s a wrap

As expected, disability advocates were interested in hearing from a range of perspectives and not backwards in confronting the issues that bring to light the glaring inequality that people with disability face on a daily basis.

The Rights Retrospective set the stage by giving homage to those advocates and campaigns that make governments, employers, educators and service providers realise that people with disability are human beings who have the same rights as everyone else. This theme was further under pinned by many of the esteemed speakers on day 2. We really did put rights on centre stage!

DARU new video ‘Rights Under The UN Convention’ was launched to great acclaim from conference participants. It really is beautiful so enjoy….

This video was produced by Sarah Barton’s production company, fertile Films.

Setting the scene

image of conference flyer — Click flyer image to download PDF

It’s a huge year for people with disability coming to terms with the impact of the NDIS roll out across Australia. This conference is uniquely positioned to consider the crucial role of disability advocacy in safeguarding the rights of people with disability through this biggest reform since Medicare.

We’re Putting rights centre stage with sessions on promoting rights into the future, the role of advocacy in safeguarding against abuse and neglect, and applying a human rights-based approach to consumer-directed service delivery. Speakers and panelists will provide a range of perspectives gained from lived experience, evidence based research and applied practice in disability advocacy.

Rights Retrospective is the pre-conference event that celebrates the 30-year anniversary of funded disability advocacy in Australia. This multimedia session will take us through the history of the disability rights movement globally, and remind us of the local campaigns and personalities that laid the foundation for a future where rights are respected for all.

This conference is for anyone who is interested in strengthening and upholding the rights of people with disability. This includes disability advocates, self advocates, people with disability, legal workers, government and non government officers, community workers and allied health professionals.

This conference is hosted by Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) with the support of a conference planning committee:

Melissa Coe, DARU
Natasha Brake, DARU
Melanie Muir, Disability Advocacy Victoria
Sue Smith, Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU)
Mary Sayers, Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS)
Nick Lawler, representing the Victorian Regional Advocacy Network (VicRAN)
Maureen D’Arcy, representing the Local Government Disability Planners Network
Peta Ferguson, Brain Injury Matters (representing the consumer voice)

Keep up to date with all the latest conference news on Twitter:

#SDAC16

Latest news

Evaluation and outcomes

Posted November 10, 2016

Thanks to everyone who completed the evaluation survey. Your feedback has been compiled into the SDAC Evaluation Report which is available for download from the DARU website. As is often the case with evaluation forms, your comments were the most informative and echoed those on the day. Here’s a range of comments collected during the conference that are … Continued

Last chance to register for Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2016!

Posted August 21, 2016

The stage is set and ticket sales have been extended because we really don’t want you to miss out. You now have until Friday 26 August to register. There are so many wonderful speakers coming to the main day, Friday 2 September, where we will be Putting rights centre stage and we can’t wait for … Continued

Looking for assistance at the conference?

Posted August 5, 2016

If you need assistance to get into the building, or information on where to go, keep your eyes out for our amazing team of volunteers wearing these red vests. They will assist you on the day getting from your taxi or the entrance of the NAB building to the conference rooms and registration desk.

Advocacy beyond 2016

Posted July 25, 2016

Find out what the future of disability advocacy promotion might llook like in the future at the Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference on 2 September. How do advocates bring issues to the notice of the general public and decision makers now that the punk and union movements are less likely to get behind causes and organising … Continued

Enter Stage Rights – panellists confirmed

Posted July 11, 2016

This session at the Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference will look at applying human rights in person centered service delivery- What role can or should disability advocacy play in the future landscape of consumer directed service delivery? How do we make sure that mainstream services are made accessible to people with disability and what does best practice look … Continued

Speakers announced for Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2016

Posted May 6, 2016

We will certainly be “Putting Rights Centre Stage” at this year’s Strengthening Disability Advocacy conference with a heap of speakers who know a thing or two about rights! The conference planning committee is very pleased to confirm the following speakers with more to come: Minister Martin Foley MP Mary Mallett, Disability Advocacy Network Australia Jax (Jacki) Brown, Advocate and … Continued

More conference news >

Program

Thursday 1st September, 2016

3:30am - 5:30am

Location: The Hall

Rights Retrospective

Facilitated by: Sarah Barton, Film Producer

Speakers:

The Rights Tough, Live band
Pauline Williams, Executive Officer, AMIDA
Colin Hiscoe, Reinforce
Sue Smith, Coordinator, SARU
Jeanette Lee, Customer Rights & Empowerment Practitioner, Yooralla
David Brant, VCOSS Board Member
Diane McCarthy, Association for Children with Disability (ACD)
Esther Harris, Executive Officer, STAR Victoria
Steve Hurd, Councillor for the ward of Glenferrie, Boroondarra City Council
Kairsty Wilson, Human Rights lawyer and disability advocate, AED Legal Centre

This special multi-media event marks the 30th anniversary of funded disability advocacy in Victoria. We will be reminded of the campaigns and personalities that have been telling the story of disability advocacy, how integral these were in building a rich history, and how this strong foundation is what we build on to create a future where rights are respected for all.

10:30pm - 11:30pm

Location: Foyer

Registration

Tea and coffee is available on arrival. .

11:30pm - 12:00am

Location: The Hall

Welcome and opening address

Facilitated by: Julie Phillips, MC for 'Putting rights centre stage'

Speaker: Lizzie Blandthorn MP, State Labor Member for Pascoe Vale

Friday 2nd September, 2016

12:00am - 1:00am

Location: The Hall

Rights, camera action! Advocacy beyond 2016

Facilitated by: Emma King, Chief Executive Officer, VCOSS

Speakers:

Mary Mallett, Chief Executive Officer, Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
Jax (Jacki) Brown, Activist and Performer
Isabelle Oderberg, Social Media Manager, Red Cross Australia
Susan Arthur, President, Reinforce

How do advocates get issues on the public agenda now? How do we best connect with allies, decision-makers and the general public? Do we need to shift our campaigns online, or are those mass rallies that served us so well in the past still effective enough to drive change?

1:00am - 1:30am

Location: Foyer

Morning tea

1:30am - 2:30am

Location: The Hall

Enter stage rights: Applying a human rights based approach to person-centred service delivery

Facilitated by: Robyn Gaile, National Manager Innovative Service Delivery, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)

Speakers:

Daniel Leighton, Chief Executive Officer, Inclusion Melbourne
Christina Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Advocacy for Inclusion
Leonie Dillon, Advocacy project Officer, ASERT 4 All
Louise Glanville, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Stakeholder Relations, NDIA

What role can or should disability advocacy play in a landscape of person-centred service delivery? How do we make sure that mainstream services are accessible to people with disability? What will best practice look like?

2:30am - 3:30am

Location: Foyer

Lunch

3:30am - 4:30am

Location: The Hall

Spotlight: When rights go wrong

Facilitated by: Lauren Henley, Independent Trainer/Consultant - Disability access and inclusion

Speakers:

Dr Patsie Frawley, Senior Lecturer in Disability and Inclusion at Deakin University
Deborah Glass OBE, Victorian Ombudsman
Maree Edwards MP, Victorian Member for Bendigo West
Therese Sands, Director, Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia),

How can we protect the most vulnerable from abuse and neglect? Is the time we are spending on getting quality assurance processes right at the expense of the needs and human rights of people with disability? The panellists drew on the recent glut of inquiries, reviews and investigations to discuss the role of advocacy in … Continued

4:30am - 5:00am

Location: Foyer

Afternoon tea

5:00am - 6:00am

Location: The Hall

Righting the script: Moving legislative and cultural barriers facing people with disability

Facilitated by: Tricia Malowney, Consultant

Speakers:

Professor Keith McVilly PhD, Professor of Disability & Social Inclusion, Melbourne University
Alastair McEwin, Disability Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Sharon Granek, Program Manager- Womens Empowerment Program, Women with Disabilities Victoria
Catherine Dixon, Director of the Commissioner's Office at Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Legal instruments such as the Disability Discrimination Act, Victorian Disability Act, Equal Opportunity Act, the State Disability Plan and the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities are often applied by dvocates to defend the rights of people with disability. The discussion focused on how these instruments might work in an NDIS environment and what … Continued

Additional events

Reel Zone

Location: The Hall

Like Rage on ABC, this is our very own music video show featuring clips that will empower and inspire you. This year’s collection has a distinctive retro feel to follow on from the pre-conference event and will remind us that rights are at the heart of issues that affect all human beings – even those with disability, big hair or a questionable fashion sense!

Self Advocacy Activism: Past, Present and into the Future

Location: The Hall

This mini exhibition reflects the determination of self advocacy groups and their allies to fight for self determination, equal rights and systemic change. The collection of posters and films will be on show for both days of the conference.

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, multiple accessible toilets 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.

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)

Volunteers will be on hand to greet and direct you at both entrances. They will be wearing our striking, bright red conference vests so it will be hard to miss them! Ask them for assistance and directions if needed.

Train

Southern Cross Station is the nearest station 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.

Trams

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

NAB 700 has a taxi drop off point at 700 Bourke Street which 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.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.

Delegates can take advantage of the $18 early bird rate on 2 September (enter before 9:30am and exit between 1:30pm & 8pm). Visit the website for more rate information or to book your space in advance online:
http://etihadstadium.com.au/car-park-options/

Note: the event is only applicable for events held at the stadium.

Tickets

This conference has previously run a two day program every 2 years. However, your feedback suggested that it was a huge commitment for small advocacy organisations to release staff for two days together. So from this year forward, we will change the format to a one day program every year. The added advantage of the new format is that we can keep the cost down.

Description of inclusions

To counter the disappointment of a reduced program, we’re putting on a complimentary pre-conference event the day before. This is Rights Retrospective, a two hour multi-media presentation showcasing the campaigns and personalities over the past 30 years of disability advocacy. Afternoon tea will be provided.

Purchasing a ticket for the main conference does not automatically give you entry to Rights Retrospective. You need to register for each event separately.

The ticket for the main program, Putting rights centre stage, includes:

entry to all sessions
lunch
tea and coffee all day
morning tea and afternoon tea

Access information

This conference is fully inclusive and we are committed to meet all access requirements for participants with disability. There will be Auslan platform interpreters for all sessions. The registration form has an access requirement section where you can let us know what you need including:

Attendant care
Tactile Auslan interpreters
Alternative formats
Wheelchair access

Note: If you do require attendant care, register yourself and then contact DARU and we will manually process a ticket for your support person.

Tickets are inclusive of GST and are non-refundable. Purchased tickets can, however, be transferred to another person. To make changes to a purchased ticket or to arrange attendant care needs, contact Natasha Brake at DARU:
T: (03) 9639 5807
E: Natasha.Brake@vcoss.org.au

Register and link

Prices

Ticket type: Putting rights centre stage
Ticket description: Entry to full day main conference program on 2 Sep 2016 for organisations and individuals.
Price: $150
Ticket type: Putting rights centre stage - concession
Ticket description: Entry to full day main conference program on 2 Sep 2016. For DSP recipients.
Price: $80
Ticket type: Rights Retrospective
Ticket description: Entry for pre-conference event 1:30-3:30pm on 1 Sep 2016.
Price: Free

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 >