2023 Conference

  • SACID held the 2023 Leading Through Inclusion Conference on the 8th and 9th June at the Hilton Hotel, Victoria Square, Adelaide.

The Conference gives people with intellectual disability and their families the chance to

  • Be seen.
  • Be heard.
  • Be understood.
  • The Conference was sponsored by
  • Feros Care (Gold).
  • Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. (Silver).
  • The Government of South Australia, Department of Human Services (Silver).
  • Mission Australia (Silver).
  • Flinders University (Bronze).
  • Carers SA (Bronze).
  • With kind donations from
  • Officeworks.
  • Haighs Chocolates.
  • The Uniting Church Henley Fulham, Friends for Life Group.
  • We had 158 people attend across the 2 days
  • 53 people with intellectual disability.
  • 16 support persons.
  • 29 family members.
  • 60 professionals.
Click here to check out the 2023 Conference program book
  • The keynote speakers over the 2 days were

Natalie Wade, Founder and Principal Lawyer Director, Equality Lawyers.

Sally Robinson, Fiona Rillotta, Matthew Turnbull and Tim Cahalan, Inclusive Researchers from Flinders University.

Catherine McAlpine and Brooke Canham from Inclusion Australia.

Amanda Hardie and Ruby Nankivell from SACID.

  • We ran 11 workshops and information sessions at the Conference. They were:
  • Co-design information session.
  • Online Safety workshop.
  • Future Proofing workshop for families and carers.
  • Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP and Hon. Nat Cook MP talked about Australia's Disability Strategy and South Australia's progress on the Disability Inclusion Act.
  • PhD. Researchers from Flinders University presented research findings.
  • Healthy Habits workshop.
  • I Can Work activity workshop.
  • Top Tips for accessibility and inclusion.
  • Healthy Relationships workshop.
  • SACID Peer Action Crew workshop.
  • NDIS Independent Review Panel information session.
  • We ran 4 come and try activities. They were:
  • Humour workshop with Paul Rowse and the Laughter Project.
  • Interplay with Cathi Tucker.
  • Pickleball with One Culture.
  • Drama with True Ability.
  • We were treated to 2 performances.
  • Day 1 the SA Police Band had us toe tapping to jazzy tunes.
  • Day 2 I-CASPA had us dancing and clapping to their fun mix of songs and movement.
  • At the start of the Conference we put out a Call to Action for the audience to tell us what they want for the future of inclusion for people with intellectual disability. By the end of the conference people told us they want:
  • more Easy Read or at least plain English especially for Government services.
  • better supports in place for school leavers.
  • pathways for school leavers - work experience in open employment and not being pushed into ADE's, more VET programs and Uni pathways.
  • housing - access to housing that meets people's needs and is low cost. Congregated and segregated accommodation to close so people are no longer forced into homes or supports they don't want.
  • more open employment job opportunities for people with intellectual disability, especially in Government services.
  • more support and awareness around Supported Decision Making.
  • more advocacy services to be available.
  • people to know about their rights and for their rights to be upheld.
  • Conference Feeback:
"I like how people with an intellectual disability ran all the sessions"
"Great energy at the Conference. Haven't attended an event that was done by and for people with disability and it was amazing"
"I liked the inclusive feel of the conference"
"I like being in a new environment socialising and learning"
"I felt my voice was heard"
"Loved the Conference. Very informative."
"Thank you for the support that you show for all people"
"I liked the variety of presenters/workshops"
[Something I liked or learnt was] "Nothing about us without us."
"Thank you, I look forward to the Conference in 2024!"
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We can’t wait to see you at the 2024 Leading Through Inclusion Conference!

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