Becoming part of the community:
taking steps towards inclusion

The 6th annual Family Conference Becoming part of the community: taking steps towards inclusion, hosted by Plumtree, Now & Next and Kindred, was held online on Sunday, 18 June 2023. The Conference brought together families of children with disabilities and their allies.

The presentations aim to inspire, educate and empower families to build a good life and celebrate people with a disability who are making a difference in their community.

We acknowledge DSS funding under The National Disability Conference Initiative (NDIC) to help make this conference accessible.

Unstoppable
Kurt Fearnley | Keynote speaker

Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley has won over 40 marathons, crawled the Kokoda track, and was appointed chair of the NDIA in 2022.

Auslan translation

Inclusion in action – Parent panel
Panel discussion

In this panel discussion, hear from families who have helped their children to engage in local community activities successfully. They will share their strategies and insight on overcoming common inclusion barriers and starting small to build big outcomes.

Host: Bree Pennie
Panel members: Heather Cox, Tracey Catlin, Ainsley Robertson

Auslan translation

Breaking barriers
Xander Wroblewski

What is meaningful participation? Xander, a high school student, will discuss how inclusion has improved since he was diagnosed with a physical disability when he was four. He talks about his mother, who played an important role in advocating for him at school and actioning truly inclusive decisions.

Activities for all – Community organisation panel
Panel discussion

Attending recreational groups is an important part of childhood to learn new skills, make friends and experience a sense of belonging. In this panel discussion, representatives from Little Athletics Australia, Playgroups NSW and the Libraries as Community Connectors project discuss the impactful steps they’ve taken to enhance inclusion.

Host: Bree Pennie
Panel members: Representatives of Little Athletics, Playgroup NSW and Libraries as community connectors

Embracing my potential
Charitha DeSilva

With love, support and encouragement, all children can flourish. Charitha, a young person with disability, will share his experiences growing up in foster care, following his interests, making friends and becoming independent at home and in the community.

Charitha talked about discovering his sexual identity and connecting with like-minded young people on social media.

Auslan translation

Closing of the conference
Deb Herbert

Parent Peer Worker Deb Herbert will reflect on the 2023 Family Conference.

Auslan translation

Related resources

Plumtree resources:

Rethinking Early Childhood Intervention Services | Tim Moore – Conference 2020
Making your vision a reality | Kate McNamara – Conference 2020
Including the voice of your child: Building independence and flourish – Conf. 2019
Helping children recognise and expressing emotions | Emma Goodall – Conf. 2019

About Play: How children learn through play | eBook
About Play: How children learn through play | eBook
Support for developmental concerns – Tips from our team | eBook

Kindred resources:

Events | Webinars, workshops and programs
Resources | Practical tips and resources
Peer groups | Virtual and topic-based MyTime weekly sessions
Parent community group | Private Facebook group.

Good Life series | Series of stories of what a Good Life means for people with disability.
For professionals | Kindred works with professionals in a range of ways

Now & Next resources:

For Parents
Now & Next program
Parent professional relationship Statement
Families leaning into partnership with professionals Statement
Building family leadership Statement
Fostering your child’s self-advocacy skills
Pictability™ | Planning done differently. Pictability is a unique and creative way for families to set a vision for a positive and attainable future.