The views and voices of children and young people living with disability are the hardest to find and hear, their views are rarely sought, and they are rarely chosen by adults to represent their schools, attend summits and forums, or be members of student representative councils, youth advisory committees, or other participatory structures. They are therefore one of the most marginalised groups of citizens in South Australia.

During 2020/21 the Commissioner undertook a targeted listening project in a range of education and community settings to connect to and hear directly from this group of children and young people.

What she found was that whilst South Australian children and young people living with disability have contact with many services and systems, they have very little say in how they operate. A point reinforced in the Royal Commission interim report where they stated they had “no comprehensive data of experiences of children and young people.”

This is indicative of the continuing marginalisation and ignoring of the voices of children with disability, and of a failure to recognise and resource opportunities for their participation. By not involving children and young people with disability, the “system” reinforces a perception that children can’t, or don’t want to express their views and make their own decisions. Over time this can become a self-perpetuating cycle. it is reasonable to ask how our systems and decision-makers ensure they can hear from children and young people living with disability?

This session will shine a light on the experiences of children and young people living with disability and seek to address some of the current knowledge gaps by reporting on what children and young people with disability have said about their lives.

The views expressed are those reflected directly from the children and young people who participated. They include both positive and negative personal experiences and reflect their individuality and commonalities.

In hearing their voices, we are reminded that children and young people with a disability have diverse needs, capacities, resources, personalities, and experiences that we can only seek to understand and include by listening to what they have to say.

OUR SPEAKER

Helen Connolly, South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People

From Checkbox to Commitment: What children and young people with disability said about identity, inclusion and independence

Helen Connolly took up her appointment as South Australia’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People in April 2017. Helen has 30 years’ experience as a leader in human services. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner for Children and Young People she was Executive Director of the Australian Red Cross in South Australia and Chair of the South Australian Council of Social Services Incorporated (SACOSS). Throughout her career, Helen has taken an active advocacy role on the main policy issues that impact on the wellbeing of Australian families and children, with a strong focus on early intervention and prevention strategies.

OUR PANELISTS

Katherine Hawkins, Executive Director, Inclusion and Reform, Department of Human Services

Katherine is Executive Director, Inclusion and Reform, within the Department of Human Services where she is responsible for leading a collaborative and creative social inclusion agenda for the department. She has held executive positions in the areas of youth justice, housing and corrections following a career working across the broader human services sector. Katherine is a registered forensic psychologist, has a diploma in business and personal coaching, and has a number of published articles in areas including corrections, veterans affairs and trauma. Katherine’s personal mantra is ‘big thinking, great outcomes, with people, for people’.

A/Professor Pammi Raghavendra, Disability and Community Inclusion, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University

Pammi is an Associate Professor in Disability and Community Inclusion, College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University. Pammi is a speech pathologist with extensive research, teaching and clinical experience in working with children and young people with disabilities especially those who can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication. Pammi’s current research focuses on investigating the role of LEGO Robotics on engagement and wellbeing of autistic teenagers and inclusive education of young people with complex communication needs.

Penny Miller, Neurodevelopmental Service Stream Lead, Novita

Penny works as the Service Stream Lead (Neurodevelopmental) at Novita. She presents with significant experience as a speech pathologist, early intervention key worker and has particular passion for inclusion. Her current role oversees quality clinical practices, innovative service development and provides guidance to clinical learning programs across Novita, together with the Stream Lead team. Penny’s particular focus areas are on the portfolios of Early Childhood Intervention and Autism.

Ruby Nankivell, Peer Crew Leader, South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability

Ruby works as a peer crew leader and in the Supported Decision Making project team at the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID). Ruby has been studying disability subjects at Flinders University for two years through the Up the Hill project and is hoping to complete a diploma in the future. Ruby is building her own business and working with SA Health to film a video to educate medical staff to better support people with an intellectual disability in hospital. In her spare time she volunteers at Flinders Medical Centre in the patient transit lounge. Ruby is a member of the Enabled Youth Disability Network and passionate about advocating for better opportunities for all people with a disability.

James Beaumont, Peer Connector, Enabled Youth Disability Network

James, 20 of Oaklands Park is a Peer Connector for children and youth with disabilities for the Enabled Youth Disability Network (EYDN), and a Director on their Board. James endured years of family conflict and mental health issues as a child but still chose to assist other struggling young people. James helped petition the state government to abandon the closure of Springbank Secondary College.

OUR MC

Rosanna Mangiarelli, Presenter and Reporter, 7NEWS Adelaide / HDA Ambassador

Rosanna is an accomplished presenter and reporter for 7NEWS Adelaide and an experienced emcee. In her diverse roles, in a career spanning almost 25 years, Rosanna has reported on a vast range of topics and interviewed scores of international, national, and state identities. Rosanna hosted South Australia’s number one current affairs program, Today Tonight, for 12 years. Away from work, Rosanna dedicates her time to an array of charities including Novita Children’s Services. She is a board director at the Channel Seven Children’s Research Foundation and the Sammy D Foundation. A busy working mum, Rosanna is passionate about women’s and children’s health and wellbeing issues and is honoured to come on board as an Ambassador for Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA).

Other event information:

NEW VENUE: NOW TO BE HELD IN THE NAPIER 102 LECTURE THEATRE

For those unable to attend on the night a video recording will be available on the HDA website after the event.

Networking with light refreshments will follow the session.

University of Adelaide (COVID) requirements:

Face masks will no longer be required to be worn indoors while on the University of Adelaide campus. Face masks do provide a level of protection from transmission of COVID-19 and some members of the community may still choose to wear a mask when they can’t physically distance from others. The personal choice to wear a mask should be respected.

It’s recommended that you continue to follow health advice and maintain social distancing and wash or sanitise your hands regularly.

QR code check-ins will also no longer be required on the University campus.