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• Disability Reform Summit: Moving from recommendations to evidence-based solutions

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  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
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

• Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) Disability Research Strategy and Co-Design Workshop Series

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  Left to right: Attendees of the Brisbane Workshop and Dr. Talitha Kingsmill.

  
  The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) recently hosted the Disability Research Strategy Engagement and Co-Design Workshop Series, bringing together individuals with disability, citizen scientists, researchers, government agencies, and key disability advocacy organisations across Queensland. These invitation-only, fully accessible workshops aimed to collaboratively shape the research agenda for the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services’ Disability Research Strategy 2025-2030.

  Facilitated by Dr. Talitha Kingsmill (GU), Professor Kate Ames (CQU), Dr. Corey Bloomfield (CQU), and Professor Charlotte Brownlow (USQ), the workshops were held both in-person at Brisbane and Toowoomba, and online. The focus was on identifying research priorities and projects to support Queensland’s Disability Plan, the Disability Royal Commission, NDIS Review recommendations, Elevate 2042 Legacy Strategy, and the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  Key stakeholders gathered at Griffith University’s Southbank campus, University of Southern Queensland’s Toowoomba campus and online to discuss a wide range of topics, including employment and financial security, safety rights and justice, education and learning, community attitudes, and departmental regulatory functions. The discussions generated valuable insights and recommendations, which will inform policy and decision-making for the upcoming Disability Research Strategy.

  The engagement and co-design workshops are an ongoing effort, with multiple sessions held across Queensland and online. These workshops are crucial for ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping the research priorities that will guide future policies. The QDRN invites interested parties to connect and participate in this important work.

  We extend our sincere gratitude to the Queensland Government Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services for their unwavering support of this research. We also wish to thank Griffith University's Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability team members, Rebekah Barker, Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter, Dr Kelsey Chapman, Dr Maretta Mann and Professor Elizabeth Kendall AM, for their invaluable assistance in organising these events, and the wider QDRN team for their continuous dedication and support.

  
  

  For more information or to become involved, please contact:
  Dr. Talitha Kingsmill, Research Fellow and QDRN Lead

  Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, Griffith University

  Email: qdrn@griffith.edu.au

  
  

  Dr Talitha Kingsmill addresses the Brisbane workshop.

  
  

• Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) established in 2023!

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  The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) is a cross-institutional alliance uniting disability researchers from Queensland universities and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration for disability research in Queensland.

  The QDRN will partner with statewide peak disability organisations, government, industry, and community in projects focused on inclusive research with quality co-design at every stage of the research process.

  QDRN members are committed to the long-term goal of improving the lives, social and economic participation of people with disability, by working together in sustainable, collaborative research partnerships.

  

  QDRN Researcher Spotlight: Dr Talitha Kingsmill, Research Fellow
  
  Dr Talitha Kingsmill is a Non-Executive Director, consultant, educator and solicitor with 25 years’ experience across the private, public and NFP sectors in law, education, educational leadership, research, digital citizenship, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and policy development.

  Talitha is a Research Fellow in the Inclusive Futures Team at Griffith University and is the Queensland Disability Research Network Lead.

  "For me, IDPwD represents a day for global reflection and informed action on achieving authentic inclusion. It’s an opportunity to amplify possibilities – to reimagine accessible, inclusive, co-designed communities. The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) is committed to the long-term goal of improving the lives, social and economic participation of people with disability, by working together in sustainable, collaborative research partnerships. The QDRN is an impactful way to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals for inclusive, quality, sustainable education, employment and communities for all people. "

  Dr Kingsmill is working with Prof. Elizabeth Kendall to establish and develop the Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN).

  For more information or to see how you or your organisation can become involved, email qdrn@griffith.edu.au or t.kingsmill@griffith.edu.au