The 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference was held on 22–23 June at the Novotel Preston during a period of significant change across the disability sector.
As proposed reforms to the NDIS dominated national conversations, delegates came together to better understand the changes, hear from leading experts and discuss how to protect the rights, choice and inclusion of people with intellectual disability. Kevin Stone AM’s keynote, “We’re Not Going Back!”, became the defining message of the conference and reflected the shared commitment of delegates to ensuring people with intellectual disability remain at the centre of decisions that affect their lives.
Across two days, the conference explored a wide range of topics, including:
- NDIS reforms and Support Needs Assessments
- Disability advocacy and policy
- Families and carers
- Inclusive justice
- Safeguarding and protecting rights
- Inclusive healthcare
- Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Self advocacy and lived experience leadership
- VALID Voices and Digital Champions
Delegates heard from self advocates, national disability organisations, researchers, legal experts and government representatives, creating opportunities to learn from different perspectives while building stronger connections across the sector.
Thank You
Advocacy in Action 2026 was made possible through the support of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Victorian Disability Worker Commission, Life Without Barriers and Scope Australia.
Thank you to our presenters, panellists, delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and the VALID team for helping make the conference such a success. Together, we strengthened our collective voice and reaffirmed our commitment to protecting the rights of people with intellectual disability.
We’re not going back.