The Social Model of Disability - 40 years on

Image credit: Untitled, Renee Sutton, 1958, gouache on paper, 42 x 33.5cm, Courtesy of The Cunningham Dax Collection

Join the Melbourne Disability Institute and the University of Melbourne's Diversity and Inclusion team for this engaging and thought-provoking public discussion on the social model of disability 40 years on.

The social model of disability was developed forty years ago as a tool to highlight the barriers people with disability experience in their everyday lives. At the time, the model was groundbreaking in shifting public thinking and discussion away from individual impairments to focus on the physical, social, attitudinal and economic barriers that prevent the full participation of people with disability and the realisation of their human rights.

The panel will reflect on the impact and evolution of the social model over the last forty years. They will also grapple with what further evolution is needed - or whether it is time for a revolution and paradigm shift.  Has the social model achieved what was intended or do we need to think about other ways of talking about the lived experience of disability?

This 75-minute session is part of a three-part seminar series designed to build engagement across the University – and the broader community - with key concepts and issues in the critical disability studies space.

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 4:15pm and be followed by a drinks and nibbles reception.

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

Speakers:
Scott Avery, Professor of Indigenous Disability Health and Wellbeing in the School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney
Scott is an Aboriginal man descendant from the Worimi people and is profoundly deaf. Dr Scott (as he prefers to be known) is a recognised educator, researcher and policy adviser on Indigenous cultural approaches for the inclusion of people with disability. He has extensive experience in conducting community-based research and policy in Indigenous and disability organisations, and is the ‘Professor in Residence’ at the First Peoples Disability Network, an Indigenous Disabled Peoples Organisation. 

Lorna Hallahan, Associate Professor, Flinders University
Lorna has been a social worker for over 35 years and an advocate for people with disability issues for over 25 years, strategically pushing for change across disability policy, adoption law, and workers' rights across human and health services. In 2019, Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan was appointed National Research Director for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability to set up the Royal Commission’s research framework. Associate Professor Hallahan has an extensive background in social work practice and leadership. 

El Gibbs, CEO, Disability Advocacy Network Australia
Elle has 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.

Chair:
Anne Kavanagh, Professor of Disability and Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne and Director of the Research Alliance in Youth Disability & Mental Health
Anne's 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:

3:00 - 4:00pm: Seminar

4:00 - 4:15pm: Audience Q&A

4:15 - 5:15pm: Reception with refreshments at the Kenneth Myer Building

Venue and accessibility 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 Auslan interpreters and live captioning. 

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

If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, or require adjustments to be able to fully enjoy the seminar experience, please email Sara Donaldson from the Melbourne Disability Institute. Her email is sara.donaldson@unimelb.edu.au.