This event has concluded.
For more information about the event, access to resources and to read the transcripts, please click here.
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.
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.
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:
Keep up to date with all the latest conference news on Twitter:
Keep up to date with the latest conference news on X (formerly twitter)
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.
The Hall is located on level 3. There are two main entrances:
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.
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:
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 that stop at Southern Cross station include:
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:
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.
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:
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: [email protected]
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.
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:
Your account section
DARU is auspiced by DAV and VCOSS with funding from the Victorian Government Office for Disability
