AbilityConnect
Description
AbilityConnect is a full-day forum bringing together people with disability, practitioners, policymakers, sector leaders, and advocates to strengthen responses for people with disability impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV).
Hosted by DVConnect and supported by Queenslanders with Disability Network, AbilityConnect focuses on the lived experience of abuse and navigating support and systems for people with disability, and the structures that shape safety, access, and responses. The event creates space to examine how disability and DFSV services intersect, and where gaps, barriers, and opportunities for change exist.
The forum will explore policy, practice, and lived experience perspectives, with people with disability contributing directly to discussions on how responses can be more inclusive, accessible, and effective across both sectors. Through shared learning and cross-sector dialogue, AbilityConnect aims to support those working on the ground while informing system-level improvement.
What to expect:
Actionable strategies that services can easily implement tomorrow
Suggestions to inform policy change
Discussions from expert presenters, panelists and lived experience leaders
Round table conversations with cross-sector colleagues, including people with disability, to improve our collective understanding and approaches
AbilityConnect is designed for people with disability and professionals across disability, violence prevention, health, justice, and community services who are committed to strengthening responses and improving outcomes.
FAQs
- Is the venue accessible?
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is a fully accessible venue. You can read their accessibility information here. Our event will be on the Plaza level - more details about how to access the event will be included when you purchase a ticket. If you have any questions, please contact mail@dvconnect.org and we will be happy to assist you.
Speakers
Nas Campanella
Nas Campanella is the ABC's disability affairs reporter. Nas started her career at the ABC as a cadet journalist in Sydney in 2011 before working as a regional reporter in Bega. She then spent seven years working as a newsreader, reporter and senior producer for triple j and other ABC platforms. Nas has also undertaken projects with ABC International Development, running initiatives for people living with disability across the Pacific. Nas Campanella's speaker engagement is arranged in partnership with Saxton.
Lesley Chenoweth AO
Lesley Chenoweth AO, Emeritus Professor at Griffith University, had a long career in social work and the human service sectors as an academic, educator and practitioner. Her research spanned disability policy and practice, human service provision and rural communities. She has led initiatives to improve outcomes for communities and individuals in Logan through her roles as ProVice Chancellor at Griffith’s Logan campus and founding member of Logan Together. She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015 and winner of the Local/Regional Category of Australian Financial Review and Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence. Lesley is Vice President and Service Committee Convenor for the Zonta Club of Brisbane. She now chairs the Advisory Board for the Disrupting Violence Research Beacon at Griffith.
Karin Brady
Karin Brady is a Toowoomba-based disability policy leader and governance professional with more than 25 years’ experience across disability, housing, human services and social policy in Queensland, nationally and internationally. Drawing on her lived experience of disability and a strong commitment to human rights and accountability, she provides strategic advice on major reforms including Australia’s Disability Strategy, the NDIS, disability data development, inclusive housing and violence prevention. Karin currently serves as Chair of the Expert Disability Housing Advisory Panel and until recently was the President of Women With Disabilities Australia, and works as an independent consultant to governments, peak bodies and community organisations. She is known for her thoughtful, steady leadership, her ability to navigate complex systems and her focus on ensuring lived experience shapes practical, defensible policy outcomes.
Jennifer Cullen
Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Cullen AM is a proud Bidjara/Wakka woman with over 33 years’ experience in the disability/aged and justice sectors. Jennifer currently is work in the intersection between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women’s experience with DFV/justice and brain injury. Jennifer is currently a Chief investigator of DFV and disability research; a member of research advisory groups; community board member for Parole Board Qld; QCAT member and Chairperson of a Justice Advisory Panel.
Gillian O'Brien
Gillian O'Brien is the Director of WWILD Sexual Violence Prevention Association, and has worked to support and advocate for victim-survivors of sexual and domestic and family violence who have intellectual disability for over 14 years. Gillian is also the Chair of the Queensland Sexual Assault Network, and sat on the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce in 2021-22, advocating for the interests of women with intellectual disability involved in the justice system.
Matilda Alexander
Matilda is a leader and human rights lawyer with 25 years experience including at Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, Prisoners’ Legal Service and LGBTI Legal Service. She has won multiple awards for her work and holds an enduring passion for justice and human rights. She is currently CEO of Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion and Patron of the LGBTI Legal Service. Matilda has been selected three times as a delegate to the United Nations Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York.
Nadia Bromley
Nadia joined WLSQ in early 2022 as CEO. She has qualifications in law and business and is passionate about access to justice, legal services, and women’s rights and safety. Nadia was admitted as a solicitor in 2005 and has a broad range of experience across a diverse range of roles in the corporate, profit-for-purpose, and community sector. Nadia is focused on legal and social issues affecting women and working with a diverse network of organisations, supporters, and individuals who are united by a shared belief in protecting the rights of women. Nadia is committed to ensuring the sustainable provision of legal and social justice for a safer future for women and children.
Amanda Medew
Amanda Medew is a Director of Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commissioning in the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. Her role guides government investment in the right programs, in the right places at the right time to meet the needs of people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence and hold persons using violence to account and support them to change their behaviour. A seasoned public servant, Amanda has led a variety of reform projects across portfolios and jurisdictions to strengthen the systems response to DFSV.
Det Snr Sgt Linda Thomas
Detective Senior Sergeant Linda Thomas has over 25 years of experience working across many different fields within the QPS, and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as acting State Coordinator of the Disability & Elder Abuse Team. Det Snr Sgt Thomas brings to this panel her policing experience as well as lived experience of having a sister who was born profoundly deaf.
Tanya Quakawoot
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
Get tickets
This event has passedGet tickets
This event has passed