About the conference

The University of Melbourne and Scope are pleased to welcome you to the fourth biennial National Virtual Disability Conference. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our industry partners , National Disability Services (NDS) and Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA).

Over the years the conference has covered a range of topics designed to promote discussion among people with a disability, family members and carers, their representative organisations, disability service providers and their staff, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders.

Our last conference focused on ‘Raising Expectations’, receiving a record number of submissions and attendees.

This year, the focus will be on ‘New Frontiers’. The past few years have marked a period of reflection for the Australian community on the circumstances and places of people with a disability in our community. The Disability Royal Commission has set us all some major challenges, but also opportunities to make the changes required for a truly inclusive and considered community.

“We need a ‘new default’ way of thinking and behaving… we need to emphasise what we hope and expect from each other, from every citizen, and to get the best from every citizen and to give the best opportunities to every citizen” – United Nations Special Rapporteur, Gerard Quinn. (Royal Commission Public Hearing 31, 12 December 2022)

The conference will bring together fresh ideas and new considerations, all grounded in good practice and evidence, to foster a discussion about the future of the workforce, policy, service provision and the human rights of people with disability.

We are looking forward to a robust discussion of ideas of what the future looks like for people with disability and the community that surrounds them. Submissions and attendance registrations are now open.