Accessibility design forum: you CAN ask that!

Join us for a thought-provoking forum on accessibility design, featuring a diverse panel of experts who have lived experiences of accessibility challenges and solutions.

Hear from those who have faced accessibility barriers first-hand and learn how to integrate accessibility into design from the start of the process.

You'll be able to ask the panellists straight-forward questions about their experiences, providing a chance to explore the barriers and opportunities that exist in creating inclusive environments. Then, pitch your big ideas on how to integrate accessibility into design from the start of the process to the panellists.

Afternoon tea provided.

 

About the facilitator

Dr Beth O'Brien

Beth O'Brien is a disability advocate and speaker and also works as the Director, Student Wellbeing at the Queensland Department of Education. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Beth is a full-time electric wheelchair user. With a PhD in Social Psychology, Beth has always been interested in human behaviour and understanding the impact of biases and representation on authentic inclusion. 

In her advocacy work, Beth has been involved in discussions with key business leaders about creating inclusive spaces; highlighted through media appearances the importance of normalising disability; and spoken about the importance of inclusive work and education environments at conferences with other high-profile advocates. At her appearance at the Disability Royal Commission in 2020, Beth advocated for a systemic shift in the way workplaces plan for and respond to supporting employees with a disability. Beth regularly appears on ABC News Breakfast to provide her perspective and insights on current political and social events. Beth is also the co-founder of consultable, which works with businesses to grow their capability and confidence to create and maintain accessible services, experiences and physical and digital spaces that cater to the diverse needs of people with disability.  

 

About the panellists

Uncle Willie Prince

Uncle Willie Prince is an Aboriginal man born in Wakka Wakka country in Cherbourg, and has cultural and spiritual connection to the Kalkadoon clan group in Mt Isa, Qld.  Willie was removed from his family and community as a young child, growing up in institutions but went on to achieve independence, a career, and a place for his voice in the disability community. Uncle Willie worked at State Library of Queensland for 33 years and also had a distinguished career in the world of disability sports. Today he proudly advocates for Aboriginal People with a disability.

Lorraine Mulready

Lorraine is a retired occupational therapist. She worked for 42 years in hospitals, rehabilitation settings, the community and in private practice. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in early 2000’s and continued working until retirement in 2021. She completed a Masters degree by research in 2015. Lorraine is wheelchair dependent, and lives independently. She applies her training and experience to her own situation and is keenly interested in the lived experience of all people dealing with a disability.

Karni Liddell

Karni was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 12 months. Specialists told her parents she would not walk or crawl, and was unlikely to reach her teenage years. Defying all odds, she went on to become a champion swimmer, breaking her first world record at 14 and winning bronze medals in the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996 and the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000. She is currently the diversity and inclusion manager of the Queensland Public Service Commission and a Queensland ambassador for the national disability insurance scheme.

Brendon Donohue

Brendon Donohue, a 28 year old who has been blind since birth, is one of the 450,000 Australians who live with blindness or low vision and experiences first-hand how frustrating it is for blind people to navigate a world primarily designed by and for sighted people. Brendan lives independently in South Brisbane and experienced the impact of 2022 floods firsthand, he felt alone and forgotten while the flood waters were rising.

Kathryn Lyons

Kathryn Lyons is a passionate leader, mentor, advocate, change agent and ambassador focusing on universal inclusion for all. A visitor of The Edge for several years, Kathryn has overcome major barriers through her complex disability, a progressive degenerative unidentifiable connective tissue disorder. As an entrepreneur and innovator, Kathryn co-created Accessibilit-t, focussing on finding inclusive solutions within society. 

 

Accessibility at the event

Please contact us if you need support to participate in this event. We will have Auslan interpreters at the event.

To find out more about what else is on offer at The Edge, read up on our Fabrication Lab and community maker space. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.

This event is part of Asia Pacific Architecture Festival 2023.