Ask Us Anything: Disability
Description
Equitable Learning Services is hosting Ask Us Anything: Disability, inspired by the ABC’s You Can’t Ask That.
Hear directly from a panel of speakers with lived experience of disability answer questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
Throughout the event, our panellists will generously share their lived experience of disability, as they shape the narrative on their own terms, in a safe and candid space.
You will have the opportunity to learn about experiences of disability, both visible and invisible.
How do I ask panellists a question?
Please note, there will be no live Q&A on the day of the event.
You are invited to submit your questions ahead of the event through the following link - Ask Us Anything: Disability | UNSW Diversity Festival – Fill out form
You can learn more about our five panellists below.
Panellists
Tamsin Colley
Tamsin Colley is a Paralympian, disability advocate, and Exercise Physiology student at UNSW who is passionate about challenging assumptions and creating more inclusive spaces. Living with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy and Autism, Tamsin has represented Australia several times including at the Rio Paralympics at just 13 years old and now holds World Records in the T36 800m and 1500m. She was the UNSW Student Athlete of the Year with a Disability in 2025 and is now focusing on Cerebral Palsy Football, having represented Australia twice in the sport and aiming for future selection. Alongside her sporting career, Tamsin works as a personal trainer and is a co-founder of the UNSW Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Society (DIASoc), where she served as Secretary and Welfare Officer for the first year of the society and now is Arc Delegate. Through her leadership, advocacy, and lived experience, Tamsin is committed to sharing her story, promoting accessibility, and empowering others to challenge expectations.
Clara Sidoti
Clara Sidoti has spent her career, and her time as a student at UNSW, advocating for and building more inclusive spaces. She is an autistic student with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder studying a BA in philosophy and creative writing, holds a Certificate IV in Auslan, and can read and write Braille. Professionally, she has worked as a nurse and as an autism consultant at Aspect, where she helped develop their autism alert card. At UNSW, Clara cofounded and now presides over the Disability and Inclusion Accessibility Society (DIASOC), and mentors students with disabilities through Activate UNSW. When she is off duty, Clara is an avid reader, embroiderer and is passionate about all things disability.
Gabriel Nakhl
From prison to a PhD in mathematics, Gabriel Nakhl’s life defies easy assumptions. He is an autistic researcher, educator and public communicator at UNSW, with published work in nonlinear analysis and an online audience of more than 29,000. Gabriel speaks about the gap between visible intelligence and invisible disability, and about what happens when a person can achieve extraordinary things while still being profoundly misunderstood. Gabriel is passionate about challenging assumptions surrounding disability and contributing to more inclusive educational and professional communities.
Harry Rodgers
Harry Rodgers wears many hats, athlete, pottery hobbyist, Taylor Swift fan and Diversity and Inclusion specialist. His lived experience as a student with a physical disability gives him a powerful lens for driving meaningful change in university diversity and inclusion policy. Sport runs deep in Harry's story: from playing young, to interning at the Commonwealth Games, to roles at Tennis Australia and Cricket Australia, a path that took him from Australia to the UK and back. He went on to represent Australia in rugby league at the Physical Disability World Cup, and now champions sport and education that's structurally built for everyone. Whether he's shaping policy, advocating for inclusive sport or supporting students, Harry is passionate about creating access to education that works for the individual.
Karen Cho
Karen Cho is an advocate - not only for herself, but for others. Living with a vision impairment, Karen refused to accept low expectations placed upon her. Instead, she honed and showcased her talents across a wide range of pursuits: studying singing at the Conservatorium, becoming a Personal Trainer, and now studying a Master of Business Administration specialising in Social Impact - all while raising her son. That same resilience became a passion for supporting others, carried through her work in customer service, where she helped people and fought against discrimination - for herself and others. Now, she wants to amplify the voices of people with different abilities, because she says “change only happens when people are willing to talk about it”.
Accessibility & Inclusivity
Visitor Safety Information
The health and safety of our patrons is our top priority, and this event will abide by the Public Health Order prevailing at the time. Please follow our conditions of entry, and check back here for updated information prior to the event.
Do not attend the event if you feel unwell, have recently experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
Live Event & Venue
The John Niland Scientia Building is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus (G19 on map).
Access
Wheelchair Accessible
The John Niland Scientia Building is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus (G19 on map). The closest accessible drop off point to the Scientia Building is the east entrance (F22 on map). Vehicles need to arrive via Gate 11 on Botany Street. The closest accessible parking is available in the Botany Street Parking Station (H23 on map).
Assisted Listening
Assisted listening like hearing loop can be provided upon request.
Parking & Public Transport
UNSW is easily accessible via public transport. Call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.
Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’. For more information head here.
About UNSW Diversity Festival
UNSW Diversity Festival is an annual celebration, this year taking place 21-25 September 2026. Diversity Festival brings students and staff together to embrace the diversity of our community and ignite conversations about how we can foster a more inclusive society.
Proudly hosted by EDI in the Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, the 2026 program features events and activities on themes and topics that include cultural diversity, neurodiversity, accessibility, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, sustainability and societal impact.
Find out what’s on at Diversity Festival 2026 and register for events.
For event enquiries or to discuss your access requirements, please contact els@unsw.edu.au.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity