Building Inclusive Boards and Committees: people with disability as real contributors

Guest speaker: Janet Curtain

Janet Curtain (she/her) is a disability advocate and activist based in Melbourne's western suburbs, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Janet is Chinese and has cerebral palsy, giving her unique insight into the barriers and discrimination experienced by people with disability from non-English speaking backgrounds. Janet founded the group Power in Culture and Equality (PCE) in 2019 to empower people to speak up for themselves, saying that, "Self-advocacy is like a muscle. If you don't use it, you lose it!" She also works at SARU, the Self Advocacy Resource Unit, as the Victorian Self Advocacy Network Coordinator. In her work, she challenges government, provides human rights training, and advocates for a better community for people with disability that stands up against ableism and racism. Janet has a strong background in disability advocacy and community leadership. She has previously served on the Metro Accessibility Committee and is currently on the Disability Advisory Committee at Brimbank City Council where she continues to advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility for people with disability.

• Guest speaker: Janet Curtain 's website

Guest speaker: Johnny Riha

Johnny is a passionate disability advocate dedicated to promoting inclusion, accessibility, and self-advocacy. He is committed to empowering people with disability, strengthening community connections, and creating positive change. Johnny also has extensive governance experience, having served on a range of boards and committees for more than six years. He has been a member of the Diamond Valley Railway Young Members Subcommittee for the past six and a half years, including two and a half years as Chair. He also serves as Chair of the Young Members Committee at the Cario Bay Miniature Railway, a role he has held for the past four years and is a member of its Board of Management.

Moderator: John McKenna

I have 60 + years of living experience having a physical disability. I love hearing people's stories. I've worked as an empowerment advocate for over 30 years, working with people from all sectors of the community and their families in my hometown Melbourne, Australia. I am an active inclusion advisor, regularly consulting with Government representatives, services, and academic researchers. I was an advisor during the establishment of Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme, one of the most ambitious social policy reforms for people with disabilities and their families. I also worked with Australia's major telecommunications provider to create accessible communications solutions for seniors and people with disabilities. My recent work has focused on issues including: - Palliative care and Voluntary Assisted Dying, - Restricted Practices, - Assistive and inclusive technology, - Inclusive sport and recreation, and - Overlaps between disability and aged care. Over many years, I have shared my views about the disability world both from a living experience perspective and as a professional advocate. Platforms have included: - Co-producer & host of No Limits, a disability-focused TV program on Channel 31 - Presentations Nationally & Overseas - Video training for Government - Founder and Producer of 'Guess What I've Discovered' YouTube channel - Host & producer of numerous Podcast programs - Not-for-profit Disability Service Providers Board (Governance). - Academic reports and publications. I have my own consulting practice (Better Access Consulting).