Pain: a neglected disability rights issue?

The Research Alliance for Youth Disability & Mental Health and the Melbourne Disability Institute welcome Professor Thomas Shakespeare to Melbourne!

In public health terms, pain is a common issue: in some surveys it is the most common symptom reported. But is it a disability rights issue?

In this session, leading disability academic and activist, Professor Tom Shakespeare will discuss how chronic pain impacts people’s everyday lives and how providing the right support could help both those in pain and the wider community. Tom will be joined by El Gibbs, Deputy CEO of the Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) and a panel of people with disability to discuss this issue.

There will be time for questions at the end of the talk - a link will be shared to submit questions in advance.

The seminar will conclude at 5:15pm and be followed by a drinks and nibbles reception.

We encourage you to register early, limited in-person tickets are available for this rare opportunity! You will also be able to register for online access.

Speakers:

Tom Shakespeare is a disability activist and academic who has written about disability rights and the social model of disability. His work has questioned the social model of disability and has called for a more complex approach to disability. He trained at Cambridge University, and has worked at Sunderland, Leeds, Newcastle, University of East Anglia and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he is professor of disability research.

El Gibbs is a person with disability with over 15 years of experience in policy, strategy, and advocacy for the rights of people with disability. She has worked as a sought-after consultant in policy, communications, and strategy, and has held senior roles at various national disability representative organisations. Additionally, El is an award-winning writer, regularly published on NDIS and disability issues in leading publications. El is currently the Deputy CEO of the Disability Advocacy Network Australia.

Chair:

Anne Kavanagh is a professor of disability and health at the University of Melbourne and Director of the Research Alliance in Youth Disability & Mental Health. Her research focuses on health inequalities with specific expertise in disability, gender and employment. Anne leads a research team who use quantitative and qualitative methods to identify policy solutions that address the social and economic disadvantage people with disability experience. Anne regularly contributes to public debate, advocacy and policy development through online media, membership of key committees, and advice to government and other stakeholders.

Event timing:

4:00 - 5:00pm: Seminar with Tom Shakespeare and guests

5:00 - 5:15pm: Audience Q&A

5:15pm: Reception with refreshments at the Kenneth Myer Building

Venue information:

The Ian Potter Auditorium is on the ground level of the Kenneth Myer Building. This venue has a hearing loop and we have arranged for live captioning.

Please let us know when you register if you would like any other accessibility supports.