Bi-annual disability sector event the Changemakers Conference will run this March, bringing together leading experts, clinicians, speakers with lived experience, support workers and industry-leading technology exhibitors from Australia and around the world.
Convened by Kids+, Geelong’s own specialist provider of allied health services for children and young people with physical neurodevelopmental conditions, the event will run from March 23-24 at RACV Resort, Torquay.
The mix of leading activists, advocates, researchers and practitioners will be headed by opening keynote speaker Judy Heumann, who served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations and is known as the “mother of disability rights”.
But despite the size of the field of renowned experts and industry leaders, Kids+ marketing manager Sharon Gibbons said the broad range of voices from all layers of the disability sector was a feature of the conference.
“The conference program reinforces the idea that we can all be changemakers; all presentations and presenters sit equally alongside the other,” Ms Gibbons said.
“Some have international reputations and are considered absolute experts in their field, others are working at the local level and their insights and ideas have been shaped by day-to-day practice, to those with lived experience of disability and who know best of all what change looks like, why it’s important and what it might take for it to occur.
“We want people to leave feeling like they have a broader understanding of the bigger picture, equipped with perspective to bring change to their everyday lives, but most importantly, to inspire change in others.”
Kids+ CEO Shaun Cannon said the Changemakers Conference gave everyone involved the chance to learn from the perspective of others.
“Changemakers are motivated towards action, with a focus on solving problems,” Mr Cannon said.
“The Conference presents an opportunity to explore how the broader allied health community, from participants, to providers, to professionals, can best support those we work with. There is a real focus on ideas, improvement, and innovation.”
For more information visit kidsplus.org.au/changemakers.
