VALID

17/03/2026

Major changes to the NDIS are underway, and many people with disability and their families are asking what it means for their supports.

At VALID, we’re hearing these concerns directly from the community.

That’s why we’re working to ensure people with disability have access to clear information and opportunities to ask questions about the changes.

Advocacy isn’t just about policy. It’s about making sure people understand their rights and have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Learn more about VALID’s advocacy work:
https://valid.org.au/advocacy/

16/03/2026

VALID is looking for 5 people with disability to take part in focus groups for our new Community Conversations project.

The focus groups will explore how people with disability communicate with police, lawyers and community organisations, and how supported decision making can help people feel more confident when making decisions.

📅 Tuesday 7 April and Tuesday 14 April 2026
⏰ 1pm - 3pm
📍 VALID office, Collingwood

Participants will receive a $100 gift card for each meeting and taxi vouchers to support travel.

Learn more and register your interest:
https://valid.org.au/community-conversations-focus-groups/

16/03/2026

The latest edition of Advocacy in Action, VALID’s newsletter, is out now.

Inside this issue:
• NDIS changes and advocacy updates
• Advocacy in Action Conference 2026
• Building leadership through lived experience

Read more:https://valid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advocacy-in-Action.pdf

15/03/2026

✨ Meet the VALID Board ✨

Next in our series introducing the people who help guide and govern VALID is Judy Kelly.

Judy joined the VALID Board in 2021 and has worked at Myer for more than 30 years. She first discovered VALID at the Having a Say Conference in 2006, after being introduced by her sister and brother-in-law who work in the sector.

Judy loves taking part in activities at Having a Say and has even showcased her talents in Having a Say’s Got Talent. During the COVID lockdowns she also joined VALID’s Peer Action Groups and took part in online programs like Travels in the Lockdown World.

Being on the VALID Board has given Judy the opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes and contribute to the organisation’s work.

Outside of Board meetings, Judy enjoys spending time with family and friends and is a proud Hawthorn Football Club supporter.

Want to learn more about the people behind VALID’s leadership?
👉 https://valid.org.au/about-us/board-management/

12/03/2026

Research opportunity for young people with intellectual disability

A new research project from UNSW is inviting young people with intellectual disability to share their experiences of growing up and making decisions.

The study In Their Own Words is looking for people who:
• are aged 12-28
• live in Australia

Participants can take part online or in person through:
• a one-hour interview, or
• an interview with a photo activity.

You can bring a support person if you would like. Participants will receive a $50 gift voucher for their time.

To learn more or get involved, contact:
📧 s.willow@unsw.edu.au
📞 02 9348 2102

11/03/2026

VALID’s “I Can Decide In My Language” project has moved into the workshop stage with the Chinese community.

Our team recently facilitated a pilot workshop on Supported Decision Making (SDM) for parents and carers. The session explored what SDM is, why it matters and how it connects to the rights of people with disability.

Participants had thoughtful discussions about key rights, including the right to get the support and information needed, the right to make decisions and the right to try new things and make mistakes.

The conversation around dignity of risk, duty of care and cultural perspectives sparked particularly rich discussion.

Next, the project will run workshops for people with disability as decision makers.

Learn more about the project: https://valid.org.au/i-can-decide-i-do-supported-decision-making-in-my-language/

11/03/2026

📣 Save the Date: Advocacy in Action Conference 2026

The Advocacy in Action Conference is returning for its second year, bringing together people with disability, advocates, families and supporters for two days of conversation, connection and shared learning.

This year’s theme is Connecting Voices, Creating Change – creating space to talk about the real issues affecting people with disability and the future of advocacy.

📅 22–23 June 2026
🕘 9.00am–4.30pm
📍 Novotel, 215 Bell Street, Preston

More information and registration details coming soon.

11/03/2026

Housing justice starts with lived experience.

In this short video, members of VALID’s Housing Justice Project share what they have learned through the project and why speaking up about housing rights matters.

The project supports people with lived experience of disability to build confidence, share knowledge and help others understand their rights in disability accommodation.

Hear directly from the peer leaders involved in the project and learn more about the work being done to strengthen housing advocacy.

▶ Watch the video below.

05/03/2026

✨ Meet the VALID Board ✨

Next in our series introducing the people who help guide and govern VALID is Samantha Dooley.

Samantha was appointed to the VALID Board in December 2025 and brings more than 30 years of experience across the disability and health sectors. Her career spans frontline case management, employment services and roles within regulatory and complaints commissions.

She is passionate about quality and safe services, and about ensuring people with disability have a strong and respected voice. Samantha believes advocacy and self advocacy are essential, recognising that people express themselves in different ways and sometimes need the right support to be heard.

Through both professional experience and personal connections to disability and mental health, she brings a deep commitment to inclusive leadership and accountability.

Outside of Board meetings? You’ll likely find her riding her bike, reading, spending time with family and friends or enjoying the beach.

Want to learn more about the people behind VALID’s leadership?

04/03/2026

Families supporting someone with disability often have big questions - especially with ongoing NDIS changes and the need to plan for the future.

VALID Connect is running a series of online training workshops for families of people with disability, designed to provide practical guidance and real-world support.

Upcoming sessions include:

🔹 What are the key changes to the NDIS?

A practical workshop covering impairment notices, funding periods, support needs assessments and what you can and can’t purchase with NDIS funding.

🔹 The Succession Planning Puzzle

A course supporting families to plan for the future, including accommodation options, legal planning and setting up the right supports for when parents or carers are no longer able to provide care.

All sessions are delivered online by trainers with lived experience supporting family members through the NDIS.

Learn more or register:

https://www.valid.org.au/training-programs/training-for-families/

01/03/2026

Workforce inclusion should not stop at recruitment. It should build leadership.

At VALID, we are putting that into practice.

Inez Winters is leading the development of the V Team - a new internal initiative designed to strengthen leadership and connection for staff with intellectual and cognitive disability.
The V Team will act as a hub across the organisation, supporting staff to:
• build confidence and skills
• access training and development opportunities
• contribute across teams
• strengthen peer connection and collective leadership

Across the disability sector, we talk about inclusive employment. But true inclusion means creating pathways for disabled staff to influence direction, build capability and lead.

Inez brings a strong background in peer work and social work, with experience across mental health, disability, housing and alcohol and other drugs.

If she could have one superpower, it would be being able to read and speak any language without having to learn it.

What does meaningful workforce inclusion look like in your organisation?

Find out more: inez@valid.org.au

26/02/2026

Housing Hub Masterclass - Supporting tenant decision making

VALID is working with Housing Hub on an online masterclass.

The session is called
Supporting tenant decision making.

It is on 1 April 2026
From 10.30am to 1.00pm AEDT

In this session you will learn about:

• What supported decision making is
• Who can make decisions
• Tenant rights
• What SDA providers must do by law
• Duty of care and dignity of risk
• What good support looks like

Our Housing Justice Project Officers will be presenting.

Members of our Self Advocacy Team helped create this session.

This session is for people who work in disability housing.

You can register here:

A four-part Masterclass series delivered by Housing Hub with SDA providers, advocates and people with lived experience exploring practical tenant-led practices