Latest News

Help Amplify the Voices of Queenslanders with Disability

We are excited to announce that the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Survey 2025 is now live! This vital research, led by The Dignity Project at Griffith University, provides an opportunity for Queenslanders with disability, their families, carers, and organisations to share their experiences, helping to shape a more inclusive and accessible future.

We are proud to collaborate with Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) and the Queensland Government’s Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services, and Child Safety to ensure that lived experiences are heard and inform future policies and programs.

We would greatly appreciate your support in promoting this survey through your networks. You can help by:

• Taking the survey: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/hub-page/vqd
• Sharing the survey via email, newsletters, or your social media channels
• Sharing our social media: https://shorturl.at/0oFD6
• Forwarding this information to any citizen researchers, colleagues, or community members who may be interested
• Encouraging participation in alternate formats or through phone/virtual interviews

Survey closes: Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Accessible and alternate formats are available to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.

We appreciate your help in spreading the word so we can reach as many voices as possible. Together, we can work towards a more inclusive Queensland.

For more information, please contact us at inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au.

Thank you for your support!

Dr Kelsey Chapman
Research Fellow
The Dignity Project
Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and contributions of Australia’s autistic community. With over 290,900 autistic individuals across the country, the conversation is evolving—moving beyond awareness toward understanding, inclusion, and meaningful action.

On 2 April, World Autism Understanding Day (#WAUD2025), we are reminded that true inclusion starts with how we see, support, and empower autistic individuals. A growing body of research is challenging traditional models of autism assessment and support, advocating for a strengths-based approach.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
The National Autism Strategy (2025-2031)

As Australia prepares to implement the National Autism Strategy (2025-2031), integrating research-backed, person-centered approaches like this framework is crucial. By shifting towards strengths-based assessments, we can create a more inclusive society—one where autistic individuals are supported to live the lives they choose.

HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Learn & Share – Amplify research that promotes strengths-based, individualised support.

Listen to Autistic Voices – Inclusion starts with understanding lived experience.

Advocate for Change – Support workplaces, schools, and communities in adopting strengths-based approaches.

Autism Awareness Month is about more than recognition—it’s about real change. By embracing research-driven, strengths-based approaches, we can build a future where every autistic person is valued and empowered.

👉 Please share this research to help shift the conversation beyond awareness to action!

MORE INFORMATION:

The Hopkins Centre
hopkinscentre@griffith.edu.au

Dr. Marita Heck, Adjunct Research Fellow, The Hopkins Centre

Discover groundbreaking insights into how individuals with disability navigate intimate relationships in Dr. Marita Heck's latest study. As an Adjunct Research Fellow at The Hopkins Centre, Dr. Heck combines her extensive experience as a nurse, midwife, and Sexual Quality of Life Support Clinician to shed light on this important topic. She is also the author of Secret Forces, a compelling novel that delves into the complexities of life after a spinal cord injury.

Read:https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rep0000573

For more resources and support on sexual well-being for people with disability, visit the Sex Positive Community at https://www.sexpositivecommunity.com.

Join the conversation and help break down barriers surrounding love and disability. Share your thoughts and experiences with us!

Citation:
Ireland, B., Pebdani, R. N., Heck, M., Mudholkar, A., & Verdonck, M. (2024). Sex-positive sexuality post- spinal cord injury: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis. Rehabilitation Psychology. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rep0000573

More information:

Dr Marita Heck Phd, MMid (RM), BNS (RN)
Adjunt Research Fellow
The Hopkins Centre
Griffith University

marita.heck@griffith.edu.au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marita-heck-phd-591957310/

📚 Authors: Dr Kelsey Chapman, Dr Connie Allen, Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM GAICD
📅 Published: 9 February 2025
📖 Journal: Journal of Health Communication
🔗 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2025.2462679

How can we make health communication truly inclusive? A recent scoping review by Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability researchers explores the power of co-designing health initiatives with people with disability—not just for them.

Key Insights:

Inclusive Participation: Engaging people with disabilities from the outset ensures their voices shape accessible, effective health communications.

Diverse Methods: From workshops and focus groups to participatory action research, different co-design approaches foster genuine collaboration.

Enhanced Outcomes: Inclusive approaches improve the quality of health information, empower participants, and build trust in health initiatives.

This research reinforces that co-design isn’t just best practice—it’s essential. When health communication is built with the community, it becomes more impactful, equitable, and transformative.

More Information:

Dr Kelsey Chapman
Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
Griffith University
k.chapman@griffith.edu.au

Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM GAICD
e.kendall@griffith.edu.au

Can social media help make workplaces more inclusive for neurodivergent employees?

A new study by the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) at Griffith University, explores how social media can help create workplaces where everyone's unique way of thinking is valued. The researchers, Dr Maria Khan, Dr Carys W Chan, Dr Hongmin (Jess) Yan and Dr Sudong Shang, present a new framework that clarifies how technology could make a real difference for neurodivergent employees.

The study explores how digital communication tools can empower neurodivergent employees (NDEs) by providing:

• Psychological safety – A space where employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves.
• Accessible communication – Social media allows for asynchronous interactions, reducing the pressure of real-time conversations.
• Representation and visibility – NDEs can share their experiences, connect with peers, and advocate for workplace changes.
• Empowered participation – Digital platforms offer new ways to engage in decision-making and collaboration.

However, challenges remain—privacy concerns, inconsistent support, and workplace barriers still exist. Organisations must take intentional steps to leverage technology effectively, foster inclusive leadership, and understand the specific needs of neurodivergent employees.

When inclusion is done right, everyone benefits. 🌍✨

Read more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hrm.22290

More information:
Dr Maria Khan, Research Fellow
Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW)
Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
Griffith University

maria.khan@griffith.edu.au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-a-khan/

Citation:
Khan, M., Wen Chan, X., Yan, H., & Shang, S. (2025). Tech-Enabled Inclusion: Leveraging Social Media to Empower Neurodivergent Employees in the Workplace. Human Resource Management, https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.22290

Lisa Cox, a dedicated advocate for disability inclusion and a member of Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Engagement Council, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division. This prestigious recognition honours her outstanding contributions to improving the lives of people with disability and advancing societal understanding of inclusion.

A Journey of Advocacy and Resilience

Lisa’s journey as an advocate began after experiencing a severe stroke in her early 20s, which led to multiple complications, including amputations and an acquired brain injury. These life-altering events became the foundation for her mission to challenge stereotypes about disability and promote awareness of the realities faced by people with disability.

Through her work, Lisa has tirelessly campaigned for better representation of disability in media and advertising, accessibility improvements, and the breakdown of societal barriers. Her efforts aim to shift perceptions and create systemic change to ensure that individuals with disability are valued and included in all aspects of life.

Championing Inclusion at Griffith University

Since joining Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures Engagement Council in 2021, Lisa has played a pivotal role in advancing accessibility across the university. Her contributions include improving physical access, enhancing digital inclusivity, and fostering equitable learning environments for students with disability. Lisa’s involvement exemplifies the council’s mission of working alongside individuals with disability, researchers, industry leaders, and health practitioners to create a more inclusive society.

Driving Change in Media and Advertising

A trailblazer in inclusive media, Lisa is also a model and advocate for authentic representation of people with disability. Her work on the Media Diversity Australia Disability Reporting Handbook has set a new benchmark for respectful and accurate reporting, equipping media professionals with the tools to tell stories that reflect the diversity of our society.

Researching Disability Representation

Lisa’s dedication to disability advocacy extends to her academic pursuits. She is currently undertaking a PhD with Griffith University, exploring the topic: "Visibility of Disability: Exploring how the representation of disability in advertising impacts employment outcomes for people with disability." Supervised by Dr. Monique Lewis, Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM and Dr. Marita Heck, her research seeks to uncover the influence of media portrayals on employment opportunities and societal perceptions.

TEDx Speaker and Thought Leader

As a TEDx speaker, Lisa has shared her insights and experiences on global platforms, inspiring audiences to reconsider preconceived notions about disability and inclusion. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences highlights her impact as a thought leader and changemaker.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Lisa’s OAM is a testament to her unwavering commitment to reimagining disability and promoting inclusion in every space she touches. This award not only celebrates her tireless advocacy but also underscores the importance of her work in creating a more inclusive future for all.

Congratulations to Lisa Cox OAM on this remarkable achievement. Her efforts continue to pave the way for a society where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive and be represented authentically.

Read more in the Griffith News: https://news.griffith.edu.au/2025/01/25/australia-day-honours-awarded/

Find out more on Lisa’s website: https://lisacox.co

Happy New Year! We're thrilled to bring you the first Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) update for 2025.

A big thank you to everyone who expressed interest in serving on the 2025 QDRN Advisory Group and Sector Stakeholder Committee. Your support drives our mission to foster impactful disability research and inclusive collaboration.

We’re proud to announce the members of these groups, representing diverse expertise and lived experience:

2025 QDRN Advisory Group

• Professor Kate Ames (Torrens University)
• Adjunct Professor Ruth Barker (James Cook University)
• Professor Charlotte Brownlow (University of Southern Queensland)
• Sasha Job (CQUniversity)
• Professor Byron Keating (Queensland University of Technology)
• Professor Elizabeth Kendall (Griffith University)
• Dr. Talitha Kingsmill (QDRN Lead)
• Professor Sean Tweedy (The University of Queensland)
• Adjunct Professor Denise Wood (University of the Sunshine Coast)

2025 QDRN Sector Stakeholder Committee

• Jesse Althaus (Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion - QAI)
• Simon Clough (Queensland Alliance for Mental Health - QAMH)
• Nina Carr, Kate Dufty, Maria O’Hara, Belinda Thompson, Peter Tully, Nerine Williams (Advocates & Citizen Scientists)
• Ewan Filmer (Capricorn Citizen Advocacy)
• Dr. Olivia Gatfield (Autism CRC)
• Katie Grehan (Outback Independent Living Inc.)

The QDRN unites researchers, advocates, and stakeholders to advance inclusive research through quality co-design and collaboration across Queensland universities, government, and community sectors.

Our vision? To improve the lives and participation of people with disability through sustainable, impactful research partnerships.

Stay tuned for updates on our work throughout the year!

To learn more or get involved, reach out to us at qdrn@griffith.edu.au or connect directly with Dr. Talitha Kingsmill at t.kingsmill@griffith.edu.au.

Let’s make 2025 a year of transformative progress for disability inclusion and research.

WITH GRATITUDE

We extend our heartfelt thanks for your invaluable contributions to our research and for your collaboration throughout the year. Your advice and guidance in championing creative and innovative approaches, led by people with disability, have been truly impactful. We eagerly anticipate continuing our partnership in 2025.

OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE

Wishing you a joyful and safe New Year! Please note our offices will be closed from Monday, 21 December, to Friday, 3 January. Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability will return in 2025 with more inclusive events, groundbreaking research, and meaningful opportunities for co-design and co-creation. Thank you for your steadfast support throughout 2024.

Stay connected by catching up on our latest updates: Inclusive Futures News.

Madi de Rozario OAM PLY - Paralympic Athlete, Inclusive Futures Engagement Council Member and Griffith alumnus

EVENT OVERVIEW

Hosted online on Friday, 8 November 2024, this symposium, hosted by Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, as a member of the Queensland Para Sport Network, brought together interdisciplinary researchers, community partners, and athletes to amplify the vital role equity and diversity can play in improving the performance of Paralympic teams and enabling athletes to compete at the highest possible standard.

The symposium explored equity and diversity in elite paralympic sport through the lens of exercise and sport science, social justice, tourism and leisure, sport management, disability rehabilitation and inclusion. Building toward the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, this was a key opportunity for participants to incorporate the pillars of equity and diversity into their performance programs and research to drive performance.

SYMPOSIUM SUMMARY
by Dr Georgia Munro-Cook

Keynote: Winning Medals with Equity and Diversity

Our keynote address for Winning Medals with Equity and Diversity was provided by Natalie Charlton. Natalie is the current Pathway Specialist for Paralympics Australia, with a legacy of building and delivering a variety of sports programs from grassroots community development through to performance pathways.

Natalie discussed the importance of thinking inclusively to ensure we meet our medal targets for Brisbane 2032. At the moment, we do not have enough athletes at the bottom of the talent pipeline or the sporting environments for athletes to grow and developments. By accessing a broader demographic of people and opening our sport system to everyone, we can grow our talent pool, but it is essential to create environments that centre athletes and their needs. Natalie provided her experience with the Northern Territory Sports Academy: Para Futures Program as an example of good practice.

https://youtu.be/M8Ohj6ZElRo

Gender Inequity and Paralympic Sport

Dr Georgia Munro-Cook presented on the importance of gender equity and Paralympic Sport. Georgia has successfully represented Australia in Wheelchair Basketball and is now a champion of promoting intersectional approaches to create positive experiences for women in disability sport.

Georgia pointed out the gender disparities on the Australian Paralympic team, which only comprised of 44% women, much lower than the Olympic team which had 55.9% women athletes. She discussed some of what makes para-sport more difficult for women, including poor pathways, fast-tracked development, mixed-gender training and games, challenges with coaches, and the role of the media.

https://youtu.be/xLotCMwpVqA

Optimising Performance and Participation for Indigenous and CALD athletes

Dr Kerry Hall gave us an insight into how Indigenous ways of learning can created culturally safe spaces in para-sport. Dr Hall offered a way of transforming sport cultures to centre athlete voice and ensure cultural safety. Dr Hall is a proud descendant of the Kuku Thaypan, Kuku Warra and Lama Lama Peoples from Cape York Peninsula, whose work aims to address access, engagement and inequity issues specific to First Nations Peoples through collaboration and prioritising community voices and perspectives.

Dr Diti Bhattachyarya revealed some of the issues that face Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people in sport. She challenged the taken-for-granted assumptions organisations have about CALD diverse people, for example, the notion that CALD athletes are expected to be role models. Instead, she stressed the importance of cultural safety. Dr Bhattachyarya’s research relates to how sporting practices and fitness cultures can be used as a social conduit through which marginalised communities experience a sense of belonging and community.

https://youtu.be/BKfDvkmG7LA

Paradox of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Paralympic Classification

Professor Sean Tweedy is the Principal Investigator for the International Paralympic Committee’s Classification Research and Development Centre. He works to develop best practice and evidence-based methods for allocating athletes to classed. Professor Tweedy gave an excellent overview of why classification is important to enable para-sport, even if it is sometimes exclusive.

https://youtu.be/VH9TwFCqcKc

Equity and Design Thinking in Technology

Laurent Frossard is a bionic limb specialist passionate about developing ground-breaking prosthetic solutions. Laurent discussed how technology like bionic limbs can be both inclusive—allowing people with disability to engage with sport—and exclusive, as their incredible expense benefits high-income countries.

Matt McShane is an Australian Paralympian and an Industrial Designer with a passion for co-designing technologies to improve the lives of individuals with a disability. Matt again emphasised the inequities in access to technology, while also stressing the importance of centreing the athlete voice in technology design.

https://youtu.be/fx-Y3wNtpn8

Panel Discussion

We had a fantastic panel discussion in which Michael Dobbie-Bridges, Robyn Smith, and Ben Newton had an illuminating debate centred around the following questions:

• How can we create a cohesive sport system and strong pathways for para-athletes by centring inclusion?
• How do inclusion and equity factor into our legacy planning?
• What is the role of policy in driving inclusion and equity?
• Brisbane 2032 – quality or quantity?

Michael Dobbie-Bridges is a celebrated Paralympian, representing Australia in wheelchair tennis. In addition to Michael’s considerable sporting achievements, he is an advocate for promoting inclusion and support for individuals with a disability, across multiple sectors including health care and employment opportunities and wheelchair sports. His expertise includes high-level policy development and driving meaningful change within the government administration industry.

Robyn Smith has worked at the National level in Sports Administration for the past 3 decades as Chief Executive Officer of Sport Inclusion Australia. Her role includes working closely with Government Agencies, Paralympics Australia and National Sporting Organisations, including School Sport Australia to develop appropriate inclusive services and opportunities for athletes with an impairment into the mainstream community. In 2022, Robyn was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to people with disability through sport.

Ben Newton is a respected Paralympian, coach, and accessibility advocate. He represented Australia in wheelchair rugby for two decades. In 2014 Ben was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to sport and is now Head Coach of the Queensland Academy of Sport High Performance Program and Assistant Coach for the Australian Steelers Development Program. Prior to his coaching roles Ben worked at Queensland Rail for ten years as the Principal Accessibility Adviser.

https://youtu.be/i4mpHQjtMKM

Wrap Up

In the last session of the day, to provide concluding remarks we invited Simone Fullagar on behalf of Griffith Inclusive Futures and Brendan Burkett on behalf of Queensland Para Sport Network for Performance Enhancement and Applied Research.

https://youtu.be/kdsbx67gkgA

More information: Please contact inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au

🌟 Celebrating Inclusive Futures and Outstanding Research! 🌟

On this International Day of People with Disability, we’re thrilled to announce the winner of the Inclusive Futures Disability Research Writing Competition 2024—a celebration of research that reimagines a world where disability is no barrier.

Judges' Choice Winner:

Ms Casey Doherty, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
Her paper, Reimagining Protest: Artivism in the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Community, demonstrates how art and activism intersect to drive inclusion and understanding. Casey’s compelling narrative and accessible communication earned her the AUD$500 prize and a feature in our annual digital compendium.

✨ Short-listed entrants:

• Mrs Rhonda Beggs, Metro South Health
• Ms Belinda Coleman, RMIT / Aurecon
• Sarah Fulton, Redland Hospital, Metro South Health
• Dr Catherine Maitland, Australian Disability Network
• Mrs Laura Ryan, University of Queensland
• Dr Rebecca Soole, University of Queensland
• Ms Jane Wardlaw, University of Tasmania
• Mrs Louise White, Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University
  
  

Communicating complex research in an accessible way, is a challenging but essential skill. This competition highlights the importance of not only advancing academic knowledge, but also ensuring it reaches those who can benefit most.

We encourage all participants to continue honing their communication skills alongside their research. Accessible storytelling is a powerful tool for driving understanding and advancing disability inclusion.

A heartfelt thank you to all entrants for their impactful contributions. Together, we’re breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future. 💡

We would like to thank our sponsor The Hopkins Centre, who kindly donated the prize money, and our esteemed judges Dr Talitha Kingsmill, Dr Monique Lewis, Dr Faith Valencia-Forrester, Lisa Cox, Sara Shams and our moderator Delena Amsters.

Interested in next year’s competition? Learn more about how your research could make a difference!

Follow us on social media and join our Inclusive Futures Mailing List for updates:
https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au

Visit our Inclusive Futures Hub to read the Judges’ Choice and short listed entries.

https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/inclusive-futures-research-writing-competition

For more information email: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au