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Category Changemaker Award   Show all

  • Australian Disability Network Awards | Dr Kelsey Chapman wins Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year

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    Congratulations to Dr Kelsey Chapman, Research Fellow with Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability at Griffith University, who won the Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year Award at the Australian Disability Network’s 2026 Disability Confidence Awards, held at the Sofitel Melbourne on Tuesday 20 October.

    This well-deserved recognition celebrates Kelsey’s outstanding leadership in advancing disability inclusion through research, policy and practice, with people with disability at the centre of decision-making.

    From leading the Dignity Project and The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability to establishing the Inclusive Futures Hub and creating paid citizen research opportunities, Kelsey is helping transform how disability

    Congratulations to Dr Kelsey Chapman, Research Fellow with Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability at Griffith University, who won the Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year Award at the Australian Disability Network’s 2026 Disability Confidence Awards, held at the Sofitel Melbourne on Tuesday 20 October.

    This well-deserved recognition celebrates Kelsey’s outstanding leadership in advancing disability inclusion through research, policy and practice, with people with disability at the centre of decision-making.

    From leading the Dignity Project and The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability to establishing the Inclusive Futures Hub and creating paid citizen research opportunities, Kelsey is helping transform how disability research is conducted and how lasting, meaningful change happens.

    Her work goes beyond consultation. By championing co-design, lived-experience expertise, mentoring and accessible learning pathways, Kelsey is creating opportunities for people with disability to become researchers, leaders and changemakers in their own right.

    👏 Congratulations, Kelsey, on this outstanding achievement!


    DrDr Kelsey Chapman

    CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FELLOW FINALIST | CATHY EASTE

    We also congratulate Cathy Easte, Griffith University’s Manager, Student Disability and Accessibility, who was a finalist in the Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year category.

    We are incredibly proud of Kelsey’s achievement and the lasting impact she is making towards a more equitable and inclusive future.


    Thank you to the Australian Disability Network for recognising and celebrating disability inclusion leadership across Australia and congratulations to all the winners and finalists.


    Visit our Inclusive Futures Hub to read more and explore Kelsey’s impactful projects: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/


    Find out more about the awards: https://australiandisabilitynetwork.org.au/disability-confidence-awards-2026-finalists/


    Top L-R: Dr Kelsey Chapman, Rebekah Barker and Cathy Easte; Dr Kelsey Chapman receiving her award; Dr Kelsey Chapman addressing the audience.