The Disability Leadership Oration 2025

The Disability Leadership Oration is held each year to lead the discussion on disability leadership and play a role in setting the national agenda. A thought provoking talk that sparks conversation and puts disability leadership into the centre of things.

Centred on IDPwD in December (International Day of People with Disability), the Oration is a destination annual event for the calendars of the broader disability community, business and government leaders, and anyone interested in thought leadership and equality.

Each year a prominent disability leader shares their perspective on disability leadership, where it is going and what it looks like. Taking a broad view, they will outline the way forward and consider what needs to be done and who should be part of making progress happen. 

Event Details:

Date: Monday 24 November 2025

Time: 1 pm arrival for a 1.30 pm start.

Location: National Archives of Australia, Canberra 

(NOTE: please arrive early, nobody will be admitted once the Oration starts.)

The Oration will run until 3pm, guests are invited to a networking event after.

Dress code: Semi-Formal / Cocktail

Masks are encouraged, as this event will be attended by a large number of disabled people

Please keep your ticket on your phone or print it out to present to the team on the day. You must have a ticket to gain entry, please arrive early doors close 1.30 pm sharp. 

This event will be available to attend online and in person, please see ticketing types.

2025 Orator: Dwayne Fernandes

Dwayne Fernandes is a determined individual who has overcome adversity to

achieve great things. Dwayne has set his sights on becoming the first double

amputee in space and is on his way to achieve it by being an AstroAccess Flight 2

Ambassador.

AstroAccess is dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration for

the benefit of humankind. AstroAccess believes that if we can make space

accessible, we can make any space accessible. More information is available at

astroaccess.org

Dwayne believes that with resilient minds and inclusive hearts, we can forge an

accessible future!

Dwayne is an Indian-Born Australian double amputee who was recently diagnosed

with ADHD. In addition to space travel, Dwayne works to deliver accessibility

outcomes through his consulting company, IDEA Services. Dwayne is also the co-

founder of Minds at Play, a national social gaming company that helps players build

essential social and communication skills through games like Dungeons and

Dragons and Minecraft. Under Dwayne's leadership, the company has grown from 4

players in June 2022 to over 600+ players from every state and time zone in

Australia. In his free time, Dwayne enjoys innovating, traveling, dancing, and setting

world records in stair climbing, including at the Empire State Building in New York.

Accessibility:

This event is intended to be fully accessible, please fill in any accessibility requirements when registering. If you need additional help, email engage@disabilityleaders.com.au