Category Accessibility Show all
-
Help Make National Parks Accessible
Your voice can help shape more inclusive and accessible parks across Australia.
Did you know that while 1 in 5 Australians live with disability, fewer than 1 in 10 visit national parks?
Public green spaces should be for everyone - But accessibility barriers often make them out of reach.
Dr Michael Norwood and his team are conducting vital research to understand these challenges and improve access to nature for all Australians.
If you have a disability or support someone who does, your experience could help make Australia's national parks and green space more accessible for everyone.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Take part in our National Park and Greenspace Accessibility Survey to share your experiences and ideas for change.
Participation will involve completing an online survey which will explore if you visited a national park as someone with a disability, as a support person or significant other of someone with a disability.
Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to take part: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/national-parks-study
Ethics approval number: Griffith University ref no: 2025/033
MORE INFORMATION
Dr Michael Norwood
BEEHive Research Team
hopkinscentre@griffith.edu.au
-
Inclusive Transport Futures: A National Invitation to Partner in Research and Innovation
Why Inclusive Transport Matters
Transport is essential for independence, health and wellbeing, and social and economic participation. Yet, it remains one of the most reported forms of disability discrimination in Australia. Despite decades of reform, 35% of people with disability still face barriers to public transport.
With the rise of digital technologies (including AI, smart glasses and autonomous vehicles); growing expectations for inclusive infrastructure (e.g. Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games), and the push for more sustainable urban planning in our cities and regions - now is the time to radically transform transport systems through inclusive innovation.
We invite industry, government, and community organisations to join us in shaping a national research agenda that delivers real-world impact for inclusive transport.
Our Collaborative Strength
This initiative brings together leading researchers from three universities with deep expertise in inclusive design, transport equity, digital innovation, and lived experience research.
Professor Elizabeth Kendall – Griffith University
Director of Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability. A national leader in disability and rehabilitation research, citizen science and consumer-led research. Elizabeth established and was the founding Director of The Hopkins Centre, a partnership between Griffith University, Queensland Health and the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland, leading translational research in disability inclusion and rehabilitation.
Dr Lisa Stafford – Griffith University
Australian Research Council Future Fellow and recognised leader in planning inclusive communities. Lisa leads research across disability participation, planning and transport equity including trips not made, whole-of-journey mapping, planning strategies and co-creation with lived experience.
Professor Kim Marriott – Monash University
Expert in digital assistive technologies, Kim’s research focuses on emerging technologies, such as AI and smart glasses for accessible information access and wayfinding.
Professor Graham Currie – Monash University
Internationally recognised leader in public transport planning and policy. Graham brings deep expertise in transport equity, infrastructure reform, and strategic planning.
Professor Simon Darcy – University of Technology Sydney
Global leader in inclusive tourism and transport. Simon’s work spans universal design, accessibility innovation, and lived experience research, with a focus on systems change.
Potential Project Areas
We are seeking partners to co-design and pilot research in areas such as:
- Inclusive Journey Mapping: Understanding the full travel experience for people with disability, from planning to arrival.
- Trips Not Made: Investigating the impact of inaccessible travel on tourism, wellbeing, and social and economic participation.
- Navigation within transport hubs: Addressing signage, navigation in complex, stressful environments, and unexpected hazards.
- Handling Disruptions: Creating accessible communication systems for real-time updates and alternative routing.
- Accessible journey planning: Developing an AI-powered travel assistant for whole of journey support starting with pre-journey planning.
- Passenger Assistance Mechanisms: Designing scalable support systems for regional and remote travel.
- Consumer-Led Innovation: Engaging people with lived experience to identify priorities and test new service models.
- Workforce Development: Training transport staff in inclusive service delivery and accessibility awareness.
- Policy and Standards Engagement: Supporting implementation of disability standards and creating user-friendly guides.
Funding Pathways
We are actively preparing proposals under two major Australian Research Council grant schemes:
ARC Linkage Project
Proposed focus on supporting navigation and information access in transport hubs.[MM5] [LS6]
- Deadline: 18 March 2026
- Funding: $300,000–$400,000 over 2-3 years
- Partner Contributions: Cash and/or in-kind
- Optional: Co-fund PhDs via the National Industry PhD Program
ARC Collaborate Centre
A large-scale national consortium grant to drive long-term transformation in inclusive transport.
- Expected Deadline: Late 2026
- Funding: Up to $5 million over 5 years
- Focus: Whole-of-journey accessibility, inclusive technologies, systems reform, and workforce development
Contact Us
To express interest or explore partnership opportunities, please contact the team at:
inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.auDirector, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
Director, Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre
k.marriott@monash.edu
-
Celebrating our HDR Disability Scholars
Building inclusive research pathways at Griffith University
Education is more than a privilege—it’s a pathway to possibility.
At Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, we’re proud to support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students with disability to reach their goals and contribute to bold, innovative research that reimagines inclusion in action.
Since launching in 2023, our HDR Disability Scholars Program has grown into a thriving community of ten (10) diverse researchers at different stages of their PhD journeys. The program provides more than just academic support—it builds meaningful connections through peer learning, mentoring, and shared experience in an environment where accessibility and inclusion are built into everything we do.
This thriving community is championed by Professor Rebecca Ford, Dean of the Griffith Graduate Research School, and Dr Lisa Stafford, ARC Future Fellow—both strong advocates and mentors for the Scholars, in addition to their supervisors. Julia Robertson, newly appointed Co-Chair of the Higher Degree Research Candidate Representative Consultant Committee (HDRCRCC)—a sub-committee of the Board of Graduate Research (BGR)—also plays a key role in championing inclusive research pathways and student representation. Together, their leadership and commitment to accessibility and inclusion have been instrumental in creating an environment where our scholars can thrive.
Last week, we celebrated this community at the Disability Scholars Day 2025: A Showcase of Excellence, held at Griffith University’s Logan campus and online. The hybrid event brought together students, supervisors, and researchers for a day of inspiration and connection.
Highlights included milestone presentations from Lisa Cox OAM, Aron Mercer, and Samantha Cronin (Early Career Research Milestones), and Ali Khan (Thesis Confirmation Research Milestone). Their presentations sparked lively discussion and showcased the breadth of disability-focused research being undertaken at Griffith—research that’s challenging assumptions and creating real-world impact. Events like this highlight the incredible progress and potential of our HDR scholars. They remind us that when we design for inclusion, we enable excellence.
Griffith University HDR Students with Disability (Clockwise from top left) - Daniel Clark; Pallav Pant together with his supervisors Dr Feb Dwirahmadi and Dr Monique Lewis; Lisa Cox; and Jim Hogan. We’re also excited to offer HDR Disability Scholarships for future students. These scholarships provide financial support, research allowances, and flexibility for candidates with a permanent disability who demonstrate exceptional research potential. Multiple scholarships will be available in 2026, with announcements coming at the end of the year. It’s one more way we’re ensuring talented researchers have the opportunity to thrive and lead change.
If you’re a person with disability interested in pursuing higher degree research, we’d love to hear from you. Join a growing network of passionate scholars who are shaping the future of inclusive research.
📩 Contact us: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au
🌐 Follow us on LinkedIn, subscribe to our eNews or become a member of our Inclusive Futures community to stay updated on scholarship announcements, research highlights, codesign and citizen science opportunities and upcoming events. -
Congratulations to Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter – named Champion of Accessibility in the 2025 ADCET Accessibility in Action Awards!
🎉 Congratulations to Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter – named Champion of Accessibility in the 2025 ADCET Accessibility in Action Awards!Joe-Anne is the Graphic Design and Communications Officer at Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre at Griffith University. With over 30 years’ experience in design and education — and hard of hearing since the age of 16 — Joe-Anne brings a powerful combination of lived experience, professional expertise, and inclusive design thinking to everything she does.
At Griffith, Joe-Anne plays a central role in shaping accessible research and events across numerous major initiatives. She works under the leadership of Professor Elizabeth Kendall AM, Dr Maretta Mann and Professor Tim Geraghty, and collaborates closely with researchers and teams to ensure accessibility is embedded from concept to delivery.
Some of her standout contributions include:
- The Dignity Project and Voice of Queenslanders with Disability, under the leadership of Dr Kelsey Chapman, where Joe-Anne led the design of highly accessible visual reports, infographics, diagrams and inclusive storytelling platforms.
- The development of Inclusive Events and Inclusive Design Toolkits, in collaboration with accessibility expert Rebekah Barker, to support inclusive practices across higher education.
- Accessible design and Easy Read materials for First Nations research and NDIS-related projects.
- Her earlier work as a TAFE Queensland educator, where she taught business administration, computing and design for over a decade.
Joe-Anne holds a Bachelor of Multimedia Studies (Faculty Medallist and Dux) from CQUniversity, alongside qualifications in graphic design, education and digital accessibility. She has worked across tertiary, government, and community sectors, including with Media Diversity Australia (designing the Disability Reporting Handbook) and as a judge for the Centre for Accessibility’s Australian Access Awards.
She was also instrumental in the development of the ADCET Guideline for Guideline for Supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students Online – a groundbreaking national resource created in collaboration with Cathy Easte, Bobby Blackson, and Gary Kerridge. Now in its fifth year as ADCET’s most accessed guide, it remains a trusted resource in digital accessibility.
👏 This award recognises Joe-Anne’s sustained advocacy, creative leadership, and enduring commitment to accessible design and education. Griffith University is proud to celebrate her outstanding achievement.
🔗 Learn more about the ADCET Awards: https://www.adcet.edu.au/our-work/accessibility-in-action-award
-
Moving Beyond Awareness: A Strengths-Based Approach to Autism Support
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 -
ARMS: Strategies for Accessible and Inclusive Research Development Workshops
Dr Maretta Mann (Griffith University) and Dr Noni Creasey (University of Queensland) at the ARMS Annual Convention.Last week, Inclusive Futures team member Dr Maretta Mann, together with Dr Noni Creasey from the University of Queensland (UQ), presented “Disability Inclusive Research Management” at the Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) annual convention in Darwin (#ARMS24).
The presentation gave an overview of disability in Australia, and introduced the terms accessibility, inclusion and belonging in the context of a research organisation.
The presenters shared some practical strategies for including people with disability in research development activities. The benefits for inclusive research management range from supporting pathways for academics in your own research institution to contributions to a more equitable and just society. Why wouldn’t anyone want to do that?!
The talk was well received by research managers from other universities being inspired to adopt disability inclusive practice in their own settings. If you would like to know more, please contact our team!
Find out more about hosting Inclusive and Accessible Events and access our Inclusive Events Checklist: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/inclusive-and-accessible-events
Email us:
-
Disability Reform Summit: Moving from recommendations to evidence-based solutions
The Disability Reform Summit was hosted by the Dignity Project and funded by an Engaging Science Grant from the Department of Environment and Science.
The Summit brought together a diverse group of citizen scientists, Queensland disability researchers and academics, and key disability persons and advocacy organisations for a collaborative agenda-setting workshop.
The workshop sought to co-create priorities for research based on the NDIS Review recommendations, Disability Royal Commission recommendations, and the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability report recommendations, while moving towards evidence-based solutions that will directly contribute to government and service responses.
Twenty-one attendees worked collaboratively over a 4-hour workshop and identified key priorities, much of which was focused on improving disability data collection, better implementation of consistent disability flags across mainstream services, and increasing sustainable long-term partnerships and funding.
Workshop attendees wanted to prioritise projects that focus on building evidence for knowledge and evidence gaps, although 50% of participants also wanted to examine existing interventions to evaluate and improve them.
L-R: Dr Kelsey Chapman; Dr Talitha Kingsmill and Sharon White; and Nerine Williams.TOPICS AND INSIGHTS
Health and Wellbeing:
- Promoting health consumerism principles and access for all.
- Shifting from reactive to pre-emptive health strategies.
- Addressing disparities in health equity and access.
- Campaigns like 'Hear Me, See Me, Understand Me' and involving lived experiences in decisions.
- Potential research includes integrating health awareness into education and enhancing professional understanding of diverse needs.
Employment and Financial Security:
- Psychological safety and accommodations in the workplace.
- Inclusive recruitment, onboarding, and raising employment expectations.
- Examining current inclusive policies and staff training in unconscious bias.
- Potential research includes building inclusive research teams and understanding confidence in disability-related conversations.
Top: Panelists Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM, Dr Talitha Kingsmill, Sharon White and Prof. David Trembath. Bottom: Dr Kelsey Chapman leads the summit workshop activities. Inclusive Education and Learning:- Need for inclusive school rules and evolving educational practices.
- Redesigning assessment methods and promoting reasonable adjustments.
- Potential research focuses on leadership attitudes and diverse perspectives in education, reassessing student success metrics.
Inclusive and Accessible Communities:
- Evaluating compliance vs. actual accessibility and inclusion.
- Measuring community inclusion and the impact of co-design.
- Opportunities like Brisbane 2032 for updating infrastructure and promoting universal accessibility.
Disability Data:
- Enhancing researcher capability and implementing consistent disability data flags.
- Prioritising projects to build evidence and evaluate existing interventions.
- Balancing academic interest with immediate social needs through co-design and sustainable partnerships.
Top L-R: Sharon White and Prof. David Trembath; Julia Robertson.
Bottom L-R: Dr Eloise Hummell and Nerine Williams; Geoff Trappett; Dr Maretta Mann. We extend our gratitude to the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science for their support of this research. Our deepest thanks also go to Dr. Kelsey Chapman, Lead Researcher, and the Griffith University's Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability team, including Rebekah Barker, Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter, Dr. Maretta Mann, and Professor Elizabeth Kendall AM, for their invaluable assistance in organising this event. Additionally, we appreciate the continuous dedication and support of our Summit participants and the wider Dignity Project team.Special thanks to Eric Tram, our videographer, illustrators Holly Bryant & Cate Withers and the team at Griffith University Live Worm (Libbi Reed, Jacqui Hancox and Sharon Searle) for their engaging Sketch Notes that beautifully captured the topics and insights of the Summit.
Top L-R: Prof David Trembath; Dr Kelsey Chapman; Dr Eloise Hummell.
Bottom L-R: Summit Participants; Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM.
Top L-R: Dr Talitha Kingsmill and Karin Swift.
Bottom: Dr Maretta Mann and Dr Kelsey Chapman lead discussion amongst their group.Acknowledgement
The Disability Reform Summit was funded by an Engaging Science Grant from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Watch the Disability Reform Summit highlights on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wz2UJ08xOP0?si=xIu1T75BSAVJTm58 (Videographer: Eric Tram).
Join us in moving from recommendations to real change!
More information: Dr Kelsey Chapman, Research Fellow and Citizen Science Manager k.chapman@griffith.edu.au
SKETCH NOTES
For an accessible / alternate format of our sketch notes, please email inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au
-
Sport Access Foundation 2023 Grant Recipients Announcement
Sport Access Foundation (SAF) has announced the 2023 Sport Access Foundation grant recipients, helping Aussie kids with disability to play and participate in sport.
14 Aussie kids with disability and 4 sporting clubs who provide programs to include children with a disability and/or enable children with a disability to be members of their clubs receive Sport Access Foundation grants.
The four grant categories include:
- No Barriers (aged 7-12 years) $500 x 8
- Kick Start (aged 13-17 years) $1000 x 4
- Pathway to Paralympics (aged 13-17 years) $1500 x 2
- Sporting Club Grants (all registered sporting clubs) $2000 x 4
Sport Access Foundation Founder and Director, and Paralympian Gold Medallist Katie Kelly OAM said the foundation aims to improve inclusion and access to sport and ensure no young Australian is left behind on the sporting sidelines.
"Every year we receive applications from across the country, from young Australians with disability who are seeking support to achieve their sporting goals,” Ms Kelly said.
“Their disability is not inspiring - rather it is their determination and resilience to achieve their goals, regardless of the many barriers and disablist attitudes that young people with disability experience.
“While the grants provide financial support which helps to provide opportunities, they are mostly about empowering.
“The grants ensure every young recipient knows that if they keep showing up, they will be rewarded.
“If you want to know what overcoming adversity is, or how one builds character, then you have it here among our grant recipients.
“Sport Access Foundation Honour Roll Members will not be defined by a disability, and they are determined to make a difference by leading through participation in sport to reach their potential, whatever their goals may be.”
Ms Kelly is a founding member of Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability council, providing an advocacy role for one of the key pillars, Play (Sport).
In support of the Sport Access Foundation, Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability beacon hosted the SAF Grant award ceremony at the Gold Coast campus on 17 November 2023.
“We are proud to host the 2023 SAF grant announcement which will help many young people with disability achieve their sporting goals,” said Inclusive Futures: Reimaging Disability Beacon Director Professor Elizabeth Kendall.
“Young people with disability are so often directed away from sport, but these scholarships and initiatives such as the Griffith Sports College make an important difference.
“Many of these young athletes will be holding our hopes for medals in the 2032 Paralympic events so we need to invest in their careers.”
Sydney 2000 Gold medal Olympian, Australian Stingers Water polo team member and Griffith Sports College Manager Naomi McCarthy said the grants are exciting and important to improving access to sport.
“At the Griffith Sports College we work hard to ensure all athletes are supported through their education while they compete in elite sport,” Ms McCarthy said.
“The Sport Access Foundation’s grants will help to ensure young people with disability can access sport and overcome barriers to improve participation - from grassroots through to high performance.”
Meet the 2023 Sport Access Foundation recipients:
For more information or to donate visit: www.sportaccessfoundation.org.au
-
Specialist Disability Accommodation: Brisbane Conference
It was great to bring together 70 passionate people on 3 November at Griffith University Southbank Campus in Brisbane, to chat all things Specialist Disability Accommodation.
With speakers and audience members joining us from interstate we welcomed open discussions around some of the hot topics facing the sector at present.
The event was proudly supported by (Griffith University – Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, Just SDA, Just Advisory Services, H’a’fele Australia and Archr Design) and covered important topics such as:How to build your own SDA
- Accessing Appendix H
- Updates and trends across the sector
- Best practice design approaches for SDA
- A personal journey through the NDIS
A great day was had by all, with post event celebrations hosted on the wonderful deck at the Southbank campus for some networking, canape’s and drinks.
Everyone is ready for the next event in March 2024 (Brisbane) and May 2024 (Melbourne).More information, please email Justin MacDonald, Just Advisory Services on: pm@justsda.com.au
Visit the Inclusive Futures Hub to see the impactful work we are doing around Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au
Contact us: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au
-
Towards Inclusive Digital Futures
Ethical Data and AI-Enabled Decisions in the Context of Accessibility and Urban Living, hosted by Professor Dian Tjondronegoro
On Thursday, 9 November, Professor Dian Tjondronegoro (“LIVE” theme leader) and Professor Elizabeth Kendall (Director) of Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability hosted Toward Inclusive Digital Futures, a bilateral workshop to foster dialogue to advance collaboration between Australia and Indonesia in the area of ethical AI and inclusive urban environments.We heard from keynote speaker Dr Bahtia ("Bobby") Rifai (Economic Researcher for the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)) about the roles of and interplay between different actors generating, collecting and using data, in complex regulatory and institutional environments. Overlaid on this are the social inequalities that lead to people being underrepresented or having poor access to the digital world.
A panel moderated by Dr Amber Marshall (Griffith), and including Liz Antoine (Microsoft), Dr Nagesh Shukla (QUT), Tim Mitchell (RACQ) and Fiona Gaske (RDA) discussed data, AI and digital inclusion and ethics in different contexts including transport, supply chains, regions and education.
We broke out into groups for in-depth discussions exploring issues including data transparency and governance, smart and accessible cities, and opportunities for bilateral collaboration.
It was a very thought-provoking session, and we are looking forward to progressing ideas in future research collaboration.
For more information please contact us at:
Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.auVisit our Inclusive Futures Hub to find out more about our research:
https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au