Our 2018 conference continues with the theme of change and how we can embed new thinking and innovations as everyday practice. We have a full range of national and international keynote speakers to capture our imagination and challenge us to move in new and exciting directions
2 days
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Description
For the conference, we have negotiated exclusive rates for accommodation with three hotels – both located close to the hotel and with (limited numbers) accessible rooms. Please be specific when noting your room nights and requirements. If you are sharing a room, please only register for one room (per two people) and email us to advise who your room "buddy" will be.
We note the WEST PLAZA is now fully booked on Tuesday 10 April 2018 and there is limited availability at that hotel for Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 April 2018.
We also note our guaranteed room rates at the hotels have now been released, we will however continue to seek the best prices for you - but there may be a shortfall cost associated with your booking.
We are also hosting a Speaker Breakfast (with our speaker yet to be announced, but it will be well worth attending) and offering our delegates the opportunity to mix and mingle at the pre-conference drinks on the Tuesday evening and over dinner on the Wednesday evening. Details of this are on the website.
In previous years, we have noticed a drop off in attendance from 3.00pm with delegates preferring to catch early flights home or complete work in Wellington city. For the 2018 conference, our timetable will start at 8.30am on Wednesday 11 April and close at 3.00pm on Thursday 12 April. We respectfully ask that all our delegates remain for the entirety of the conference.
We also endeavor to accommodate for any special requirements including dietary, access, interpreters, etc. That said, it is difficult to cater for these requirements unless we are informed at the time of registration. Please ensure you complete all necessary details if you have any special requirements. We note that support people attend the conference for free – these people MUST be registered (names can be changed at a later date if required).
The will be a Leadership Forum held on Friday 13 April (immediately after the conference) in Wellington – details can be found on our website www.nzdsn.org.nz/events. If you are staying on for this event, please ensure you book your hotel at the time of registering for the NZDSN Conference.
If you are interested in a sponsorship package or exhibition space, please contact our Event Manager, Libby Carson by email or phone – 027 2693939
We are really excited about next year’s conference and want to make it our best yet!
Speakers include:
Dr. Sarah Shulman – CEO of Inwithforward, a Vancouver based social mission business that developed Kudoz.
Think Airbnb for real world learning! Kudoz is a learning and participation platform that brokers people with disabilities to novel learning experiences in their community. It addresses the poverty of experiences, expectations and connections. Kudoz is disrupting the stagnation that leads to declining quality of life, greater service dependencies and rising costs. Dr. Sarah Schulman is InWithForward’s Founding Partner, where she facilitates a team of designers, social scientists, and community mobilizers to re-make social services from the ground-up.
Sarah holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Policy from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and a BA and MA from Stanford University.
Douglas Herd – Sydney, Australia.
Dougie has held key roles in the campaign that led to the NDIS in Australia and subsequently a position as National Coordinator of NDIS engagement. Dougie will be sharing his insights around NDIS implementation and lessons learnt to date. Inside the NDIS - a disabled person’s perspective. A key opportunity to learn from the Australian experience as we embark on our own system transformation here in New Zealand.
Lorna Sullivan – Brisbane Australia – and soon to be back in New Zealand!
Lorna is well known in New Zealand from her extensive contributions through multiple roles in the sector across many years. More recently she has been Director of Diusability Services at Uniting Care Community, an NGO of based in Brisbane. She will be sharing with us some of the insights gained as a provider engaging with the NDIS - inside the NDIS - a provider perspective.
Sylvana Mahmic – CEO of Plumtree, a family centred NGO for young children 0-8yrs with disability and their families from NSW, Australia.
Plumtree has pioneered a number of innovations around peer and family leadership in early intervention including Plan and Do and Now and Next – award winning approaches to planning and support. Sylvana has particular expertise in a whole of family and community approach to early childhood intervention. Sylvana has served on over 15 reference and advisory groups including ministerial appointments. She is currently undertaking post graduate research on individualised support and funding. She has a son who has cerebral palsy and intellectual disability who has been utilising self-managed funding since 2009.
David Savage – Collaborative Leadership.
An opportunity to assess your own leadership approach and readiness for change! An interactive plenary session.
