Family Advocacy

09/06/2026

Side By Side Advocacy are hosting this event with respected international expert Dr Angela Amado at Parramatta Town Hall on 18 June 2026.

Many people with intellectual disability experience profound isolation. You can be a part of a worldwide movement committed to more inclusive communities!

Please see more details in the post below, and if you have any questions about the event, contact Side by Side directly.

Many people with intellectual disability experience profound isolation. You can be a part of a worldwide movement committed to more inclusive communities.

Side By Side Advocacy is excited to be hosting respected international expert Dr Angela Amado at Parramatta Town Hall on 18 June 2026 as part of her national tour.

This full-day workshop brings together community members, policy makers, service providers, people with lived experience, families and other allies, to explore practical approaches to strengthening communities and relationships. The day offers opportunities for shared learning, reflection, and connection with others committed to inclusive communities.

With only one month left before the workshop, we are looking forward to seeing you there.

Tickets to the workshop in Parramatta are available via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-with-community-with-angela-amado

The workshop is being held across the country:
· Newcastle: 16 June with Hunter Circles: https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-with-community
· Parramatta: 18 June with Side By Side Advocacy
· Brisbane: 23 June with CRU - Community Resource Unit Ltd.: https://events.humanitix.com/building-friendships-and-connections-06-26
· Canberra: 25 June with Imagine More: https://imaginemore.org.au/events/building-friendships/
· Adelaide: 27 June with Community Living Project Inc.: https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-with-community-a-workshop-with-dr-angela-amado
· Melbourne: 30 June with Belonging Matters Inc.: https://events.humanitix.com/building-friendships-and-connections-in-everyday-community-life

Image description: A purple graphic titled 'Connecting with Community: Dr Angela Amado national tour". It lists the dates for each stop on the tour and has a QR code for Side By Side Advocacy's event booking page. There is a photo of Angela Amado smiling.

01/06/2026

Register now for Stronger Together: Working to Shape an Inclusive Society — our special two-part event on Friday 19 June. Workshop places are almost sold out, with over 90% of seats already filled.

Secure your spot now: https://bit.ly/StrongerTogetherRegistration

27/05/2026

“We might feel like we’re a lone voice… but connecting with other families has been really, really important.” – Linda Hughes

For 35 years, Family Advocacy has connected with families and brought them together to learn, connect and create positive social change alongside people with disability.

Join us for Stronger Together, a special two-part event on Friday 19 June and be part of shaping a more inclusive society. But hurry, as spots are filling fast!

✨ Attend the daytime workshop to hear practical insights, strengthen your advocacy knowledge and connect with other families and allies. Then join us in the evening for our 35 year anniversary dinner featuring guest speakers, reflections and a panel of respected family leaders and advocates.

Financial sponsorship is available for tickets, travel, accommodation and other reasonable expenses. Places are limited, so we encourage you to apply early.

Register now: https://bit.ly/StrongerTogetherRegistration

Together, we are stronger and together, we can continue creating change.

14/05/2026

Imagine More's Conference is next week!
Registration for in-person attendance has closed, but there is a livestream option to participate.

🏡 The Imagining Home conference
📍 Hotel Realm Canberra
🗓 Wednesday-Thursday, 20-21 May 2026

The focus of this two-day conference will be imagining home by looking well beyond traditional group home models. Instead, we will explore typical and ordinary options for creating a home unique to each individual.

People with disability and their families can attend free of charge.

For more information and to register, visit https://imaginemore.org.au/the-imagining-home-conference/

12/05/2026

Children and Young People with Disability Australia are conducting a survey on the under-16s social media ban.

Unfortunately, in the five months since the ban was passed, there has been very little data collected on how it has impacted the well-being, safety and inclusion of under-16s, especially children and young people with disability.

CYDA’s new national survey seeks to fill this gap. They want to hear from:
• Children with disability under 16
• Young people with disability aged 16 to 25
• Parents, family members and caregivers of disabled children under 16

The survey closes on 24 May. You can fill the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MN5RL8T

Read CYDA's post for more information.

11/05/2026

"As families, we want our loved ones with developmental disabilities to live good lives and decide things for themselves. We need legislation, models, standards, and systems that support that goal!"

This morning, Family Advocacy's Executive Officer Cecile Sullivan Elder and Senior Systemic Advocate Victoria Brookman (pictured here with Giancarlo de Vera from BEING) spoke at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Supported Decision Making.

Our recommendations to the Inquiry are:
1. Embed a “Supported Decision-Making First” Principle in NSW Law
2. Legally Recognise Supported Decision-Making Arrangements
3. Strengthen the Role of the Ageing and Disability Commission
4. Mandate Supported Decision-Making Training Across Systems
5. Invest in Independent Advocacy and Family Capacity Building.
6. Ensure Inclusion of People with Significant or Complex Disabilities.

You can find our full submission on our website: https://family-advocacy.com/what-we-do/systemic-advocacy/our-submissions/

07/05/2026

Foundations Forum: 2-day event!
What does it really take to support someone to build a good life?

Most people, whether family or professionals, are doing their best to support someone well. But too often, support focuses on services, programs and “keeping busy” rather than building a life with valued roles, relationships and real belonging.

Towards a Better Life: An Introduction to Social Role Valorisation (SRV) explores what actually makes the difference and how to start putting that into practice.

📍 Quest Macquarie Park, Sydney
📅 4–5 June 2026
🕘 9:00am to 5:00pm both days

Over two days, participants will explore:
✔️ Why people become devalued and how this shows up in everyday support
✔️ The role valued social roles play in shaping a good life
✔️ What really leads to belonging, respect and meaningful participation
✔️ Practical ways to support people towards greater independence and connection

💬 What past participants have shared:
“This was life-changing and has transformed the way we support people.”
“The real-life examples made it practical and easy to apply.”
“I’ll take away a clearer understanding of what really leads to a good life.”

This workshop is ideal for managers, support workers, support coordinators, team leaders, allied health professionals, educators, families, advocates and anyone wanting to strengthen how they support people to live a good life.

Led by experienced SRV educators Kylie Duncis and Amie Storer, the workshop combines real-world examples, reflection and discussion to support meaningful change in practice.

💲 Cost:
Professional: $400
Concession (including families): $150

If cost is a barrier, please still get in touch, we want people to be able to attend.

Places are limited and this workshop often books out, so we encourage early registration.

🔗 Click here to register for this event
https://events.humanitix.com/towards-a-better-life-introduction-to-social-role-valorisation-srv-2-day-workshop-sydney-4-and-5-june-2026

Download flyer here:https://www.foundationsforum.org.au/uploads/1/8/4/0/18404361/ff_tbl_june_2026.pdf

06/05/2026

𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝! 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐰!

Join us for a wonderful evening recognising the collective effort and impact created by people with disability, their families, allies and communities.

Date: Friday 19 June 2026 from 5:30pm
Venue: Hyatt Regency Sydney, 161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
RSVP: Register before 4 June
Drinks and canapés upon arrival, followed by a two-course meal.

We encourage you to bring your family and allies, and to share this invitation with others in your community who may enjoy or benefit from being a part of this event.

As we recognise 35 years of advocacy and social change, these are some of the voices that reflect the strength, leadership and lived experience within our community that continue to drive progress.

Professor Alastair McEwin AM
Kirsten Deane
Catia Malaquias
Belinda Epstein Frisch
Jan Kruger, Executive Director at Imagine More

Register to our dinner now: https://bit.ly/StrongerTogetherRegistration