Having A Say Conference

21/08/2026

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are open for Having a Say Conference program. EOI close 12th Sept.https://valid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/EOI-for-HaS-Program-2027-Aug-26.pdf

19/08/2026

Building Inclusive Boards and Committees: People with Disability as Real Contributors - a free online webinar exploring meaningful participation on boards and committees, featuring guest speakers with lived experience. Register on Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-valid-conversations
Date: Thursday 27 August 2026 Time: 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm (AEST) Online: Zoom

VALID Conversations is a new webinar series led by people with disability.

23/06/2026

Inspired by the conversations at Advocacy in Action?

Join VALID and help strengthen the voice of people with disability.

Membership is free and open to people with disability, family members, supporters and allies.

Join today: https://valid.org.au/support-us/membership/

22/06/2026

Enjoying Advocacy in Action?

Stay connected with VALID and help strengthen the voice of people with disability.

Membership is free.

Join today: https://valid.org.au/support-us/membership/

17/06/2026

What happens when people with disability lead the conversation?

Join Hala Baksmaty as she shares her story of self-advocacy, leadership and why lived experience matters. Hala is part of VALID Voices, a new speaker and community education initiative led by people with disability.

🎤 Free online webinar
📅 23 June
💻 Register here: https://valid.org.au/valid-conversations/

14/06/2026

We’re not going back; to the abuse, the neglect, the exploitation and the discrimination regularly experienced by people with intellectual disability before the NDIS. It hasn’t been perfect but the NDIS and what it promised is worth fighting for. Be part of the conversation at VALID’s Advocacy in Action Conference on June 22 & 23, 2026 from 9.00am to 4.30pm at the Novotel Hotel Function Centre. To register, go to Humanitix at: https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026 Please contact the VALID Office for more information. Phone: (03) 9416 4003. Email: [email protected]

ID: Light blue social media tile. VALID logo along the top. Text: “WE’RE NOT GOING BACK. Voices must be heard. The future must include us.” Collage of photos featuring self advocates speaking up at last year’s Advocacy in Action conference. Along the bottom an orange banner with the graphic of a person holding a megaphone. Text: “June 22 and 23. Advocacy in Action Conference 2026. Register Now.”

12/06/2026

Platforming the biggest issue for our community right now, VALID’s Advocacy in Action conference will this year focus closely on the proposed NDIS changes and how they will impact people with intellectual disability, their families and supporters. As a powerful figure who relentlessly advocated for the implementation of the NDIS, this year’s Conference will also welcome VALID founder and former CEO Kevin Stone AM. Kevin will critique what the NDIS has become, where it went wrong and the proposed changes that will gut what people with disability and their allies fought so hard for. The 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference will be held on June 22 & 23, 2026 from 9.00am to 4.30pm each day at the Novotel Hotel Function Centre. To register, go to Humanitix at: https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026 Please contact the VALID Office for more information. Phone: (03) 9416 4003. Email: [email protected]

ID: Light blue social media tile. VALID logo along the top. Text: “Voices must be heard. The future must include us. WE’RE NOT GOING BACK.” Photo of a self advocate Gregory speaking into a microphone at last year’s Advocacy in Action conference. Along the bottom an orange banner with the graphic of a person holding a megaphone. Text: “June 22 and 23. Advocacy in Action Conference 2026. Register Now.”

09/06/2026

Last year VALID’s Advocacy in Action conference brought self advocates with intellectual disability to the front of conversations about their lives. Alongside industry experts and policymakers people with lived experience will once again share their experience and expertise on the issues that matter. This year the focus will be squarely on the proposed changes to the NDIS. Guest speaker Maeve Kennedy, CEO of Inclusion Australia will share the National representative organisation’s position on the proposed NDIS changes and how our community can coordinate our concerns and mobilise our impact.

The 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference will be held on June 22 & 23, 2026 from 9.00am to 4.30pm each day at the Novotel Hotel Function Centre. To register, go to Humanitix at: https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026. There are also huge discounts for NDIS participants and their family members. Please contact the VALID Office for more information. Phone: (03) 9416 4003. Email: [email protected]

ID: Light blue social media tile. VALID logo along the top. Text: “Voices must be heard. The future must include us. WE’RE NOT GOING BACK.” Photo of a self advocate Hala speaking into a microphone at last year’s Advocacy in Action conference. Along the bottom an orange banner with the graphic of a person holding a megaphone. Text: “June 22 and 23. Advocacy in Action Conference 2026. Register Now.”

09/06/2026

Stories can change minds. Stories can change communities. Stories can change systems.

When people with intellectual disability share their experiences, they help others understand the barriers they face, the changes they want to see and the importance of inclusion.

VALID Voices is built on a simple idea: people with disability should have opportunities to tell their own stories in their own words.

Join us for VALID Conversations to hear from speakers involved in this exciting new initiative and learn why lived experience matters.

Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/valid-conversations-2

VALID Conversations is a new webinar series led by people with disability.

06/06/2026

Right now, many people with disability, their families and supporters are scared and confused by the proposed changes to the NDIS. Acknowledging these concerns VALID’s Advocacy in Action conference will bring self advocates, industry professionals and policy experts to explore these issues and more, together. The 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference will be held on June 22 & 23, 2026 from 9.00am to 4.30pm each day at the Novotel Hotel Function Centre. Today is the last day to access Early Bird rates so register now! To register, just go to Humanitix at: https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026. There are also huge discounts for NDIS participants and their family members. Please contact the VALID Office for more information. Phone: (03) 9416 4003. Email: [email protected]

Light blue social media tile. VALID logo along the top. Text: “Voices must be heard. The future must include us. WE’RE NOT GOING BACK.” Photo of a self advocate speaking into a microphone at last year’s Advocacy in Action conference. Along the bottom an orange banner with the graphic of a person holding a megaphone. Text: “June 22 and 23. Advocacy in Action Conference 2026. Register Now.”