Approximately one in seven people across the globe are living with a disability. That's almost a billion people and their families who are also often disproportionately affected by poverty.
Australia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and leads in disability-inclusive development.
At this event, our speakers will discuss the very real and tangible differences they have made through development and humanitarian programs that support people with disabilities. This includes supporting people to achieve financial independence, facilitating access to much-needed assistive devices, strengthening educational opportunities for students with disabilities, advocating for better policies, and much more.
They will also share insights into their own careers in this field, the challenges they have faced, and support that made a difference to them.
Join us online for a compelling discussion!
Cost: $5 for non-members of Women in Aid & Development, free for members and students.
Guest speakers
Chris Kerr
Chris Kerr is a wheelchair user and passionate advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She has a wealth of experience in the Human Services and private sectors and had a long-term involvement in the vocational education, labour market, and disability sectors with a focus on human rights, social inclusion and disability inclusive development.
In 2017, Chris led a team of Australian volunteers with disabilities to work in Laos, supporting local people with disabilities to grow as contributors, decision-makers and leaders in their communities.
Chris is currently the Regional Manager of Hope Community Services, providing much needed support to people affected by alcohol and other drugs, mental ill-health, youth justice issues and socioeconomic disadvantage.
More recently, Chris has been working as the Operations Manager with ATLAS, a recreation inclusion program, providing support to people with disabilities to help them have a good life, consulting with Transition Management in the areas of training, organisational development, leadership and disability awareness, and has worked as a Producer with ABC Radio Midwest and Wheatbelt.
Chris is a passionate advocate for communities that value diversity and has sought to combine her personal and professional interests to promote community inclusion for all.
Jessica Richardson
Jess has recently returned from Vanuatu after completing a Volunteer Assignment working as an Equity and Inclusion Officer with the Vanuatu Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) under the Australian Volunteers Program. Jess worked with the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee, was elected secretary for the Vanuatu Women in Sport Commission and worked with National Sports Federations to promote the participation of women, girls and people with disability in sport in Vanuatu.
Jess utilised sport as a tool to affect positive change within the community so that not only are women, girls and people with disability supported to pursue sporting opportunities but are seen as equal contributing members of society.
Prior to working in Vanuatu, she worked as a Case Manager and Team Leader at the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) assisting newly arrived refugees in Canberra. Jess has a Bachelor in Development Studies and a Masters in International Public Health.
Alex Gartrell
Alex is committed to leading change that starts with us! She works with international aid and development organisations to unlock the obstacles that prevent values-based leadership, transformation of unjust social relations and lasting impacts on the ground.
She brings two decades of experience as an applied social researcher in disability inclusive development, particularly in the areas of employment and livelihoods, disaster risk reduction and sexual and reproductive health and rights. She conducted her Phd on the lived experience of disability in rural Cambodia. Alex has worked as an academic, a consultant and in a research capacity, including at Monash University, Oxfam and the Australian Red Cross.
In her current role, Alex is leading World Vision Australia to become an intentionally inclusive organisation where people with disabilities, particularly women and girls, are able to particulate in and benefit from development programs just like anyone else. Alex is currently Chair of the Australia Disability and Development Consortium.