The second Queensland Disability Advocacy Conference was held in May 2025. Hosted at the Victoria Park Conference Centre’s Garden Marquee, the event was made possible through uplift funding from the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety and a grant from the Community Gambling Benefit Fund. Over 120 participants gathered for three days of learning, collaboration, and connection.

The conference, co-developed with QIDAN members and hosted by QAI’s QIDAN team, was shaped by extensive consultation. This included a sector-wide survey, feedback gathered through QIDAN’s communities of practice, and direct engagement via emails and discussions with member advocates. This ensured the program responded to the most pressing issues disability advocates face today. As one participant reflected, “these conferences are going from strength to strength—a very professional event, very well thought through.”

Highlights

Here are some of the highlights of the conference:

• The conference opened with a Welcome to Country by Elder Aunty Kathryn Fisher, followed by an insightful panel of First Nations disability advocates from around Queensland.
• A collaborative arts workshop run by artist Duane Doyle.
• Keynote sessions delivered by Khadija Gbla, Akii Ngo and Nas Campanella on human rights and intersectionality.
• Panel discussions focussed on children and young people, domestic and family violence, housing and community supports.
• Lunchtime guests from a range of government and non-government organisations.
• Networking opportunities with advocates from around the state.
• A collaborative workshop with Elly Desmarchelier and the Hon Leeanne Enoch, Shadow Minister for Seniors and Disability Services on the ways disability advocates across Queensland can collaborate for impact, explore actions that transform the systems and ensure human rights for all.
• The launch of useful resources for the sector like a wellbeing diary developed by Rights in Action (RIA), Guidelines for Advocates Supporting LGBTQIA+SB and People with Disabilities developed by QAI and QC, and a Guide to Child Safety for Advocates.
• The launch of the ‘Listen to Us’ postcard campaign featuring the powerful artwork of artists Ruby Herrenberg, Jazper Sediati and Duane Doyle. Over 130 postcards were written to State and Federal Members and Ministers to highlight the issues and solutions experienced by people with disability.
• A moving performance from The Brotherhood of the Wordless – a collective of writers who use facilitated communication to share poetry, stories, and plays.

Outcomes

Overall, the conference was a huge success. Some key outcomes that stood out are as below:

• New opportunities for advocates across Queensland to share professional experiences, advice, and ideas—laying the foundation for new collaborations.
• Leaders from allied fields united to address pressing issues such as child and youth justice, and discrimination against transgender youth.
• Advocates were equipped with new knowledge and tools to better support people with disability in their regions.

Feedback

Feedback from participants was highly positive and many expressed hope. Here’s what some of them said:

• “I truly enjoy coming together as a group of passionate advocates” – from the QIDAN face to face meeting March 2024.
• “I thought there was a lot of knowledge shared by the speakers which I will embrace in my advocacy practice”.
• “Great event with inspiring, informative speakers”.
• “These conferences are going from strength to strength – a very professional event, very well thought through. The lunchtime guests were a fabulous idea, as was the post card writing challenge. Fantastic calibre of guests, speakers and panel members. Well done team QAI!!!! Can’t wait to see what you do next”.
• “I feel very honored to speak with such amazing people”.
• “I appreciate the invitation and opportunity to talk with you all”.
• “There is so much to learn and do and I am very keen to continue to have these conversations and work with you all”.
• “Thank you for all your amazing work putting the conference together. I enjoyed the conversations, and it was a privilege to be part of the housing panel”.

The 2025 Queensland Disability Advocacy Conference was a landmark event, that amplified diverse voices, strengthened statewide networks, and shared critical knowledge to empower Queensland’s disability advocacy workforce.