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Children and young people with disability, like all kids, benefit from participating and having access from the early years on to quality learning, health care, safe stable housing and more – the six basics that that set them up for a good life. Because we know It Takes 6 for every child to start school ready to learn and every young person to leave school ready for life and work.

It Takes 6 was developed by Every Child with ARACY. Derived from The Nest, ARACY 

The Speakers

• Karen Struthers, is the Director of Every Child and a former MP and Minister for Community Services, Housing and Women in QLD. Throughout her career she has tirelessly pursued social change both within government and through advocacy, policy and research roles. 
• Jay Weatherill, is the CEO of Thrive by Five and the former Premier of South Australia. He is a long-time advocate for early years reform and was recently recognized in the 2021 Australia Day Honours list where he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.
• Madison Heady (YDAN) is a vibrant young woman navigating her way through the world after high school and living with a disability. She is a strong advocate for participation and inclusion in all educational environments.

Also featuring a panel of disability advocates including:

• Sue Tape, from CYDA (Children and Young People with Disability Australia) an inclusive education advocate who is excited to share her family’s story about navigating the health, education, and disability sectors while connecting with other families and being a force for change.
• Karina Enks (The Benevolent Society), currently manages an Early Childhood Early Intervention Partner in the Community program supporting young children with a disability or development delay and their families navigate the NDIS and connect to appropriate supports.
• Tarsha Jones (The Benevolent Society), a Kamilaroi women from Moree NSW who is passionate about bridging the gaps that have impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and building on partnerships with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), mob supporting mob.
• Sarah DeLemos from IUIH (Institute for Urban Indigenous Health), she is a strong advocate for community engagement and creating culturally safe and appropriate pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children.

We can provide accessibility features with 24hrs notice - please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to request AUSLAN or Closed Captioning. If there is anything else we can do to create a more accessible environment please don't hesitate to reach out.

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