The Succession Planning Puzzle
2022-04-06 09:45 - 13:00, 2022-05-02 17:45 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
It is the question all parents have – who is going to care for my family member when I’m not around?
VALID’s Succession Planning course is free for Victorian family members of people with disability. It includes four core sessions and three optional sessions:
• To assist you to ‘map’ out what things you need to put in place for the future
• Information on options for financial, accommodation and legal issues
• Setting up your family member to receive ‘quality of care’, e.g. Circle of Support
• Optional sessions will have guest speakers on Wills, trusts, Supportive Attorneys, Guardianship & Admin and what accommodation support is funded by the NDIS
If you are interested in doing this course please fill this form in and take a photo or scan of it and return to Maree E: maree@valid.org.au M: 0409 965 264
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

[They will use] My First Name
2022-05-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
VALID presents “[They will use] My First Name”, a virtual reality documentary exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disability in Australia’s criminal justice systems.
With the police. In court. In prison. People with intellectual disability, especially First Nations people, are overrepresented across all areas of Australia’s criminal justice systems, often resulting from trauma and lifelong disadvantage.
A 2013 Victorian parliamentary inquiry reported that people with intellectual disability were “anywhere between 40 and 300 percent more likely to be jailed than people without intellectual disability”. Yet this is a problem that successive governments have so far been unable to solve.
[They Will Use] My First Name has been released by VALID to accompany a year long participatory research project “Justice For All”. The project was established in response to the increasing need for support and advocacy VALID witnessed for people with intellectual disability involved in the criminal justice system.
You can download the Justice For All report here
VALID invites you to the launch on WEDNESDAY 18 MAY at 3pm of its Justice for All project and short film [They will use] My First Name. The launch will include a live stream of the film (17 mins) and a panel discussion with Q and A opportunities with people involved in the project including the narrators, the project team and disability advocates. The discussion will focus on the rights of people with disability in our criminal justice system, how we can create equal access to justice and ensure all people are free from violence and neglect. You can register here.

Online Writers Group
2022-06-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Once a month VALID runs an online writers group. It is a great opportunity for people to get creative and share their stories with other writers. Each month group members get to choose their own themes and share their pieces the following month.
We will share the Zoom link the day before the month!
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Facebook
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Twitter
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LinkedIn

International Day of People with Disability: Come and Try Dance Sessions
2022-11-18 14:00 - 15:00 | 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3977, Australia
The Kurki Kurki Friendship Project team and Casey Council are holding a Come and Try Dance Session. Come along on Friday 18 November for the FREE session at the Factory Rehearsal Centre for the Arts – Room 1. For more information contact Ann at ann@valid.org.au or on 0410 479 545.

International Day of People with Disability: Memory Go Round
2022-12-01 14:00 - 20:00 | Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Melbourne, Victoria, 3067, Australia
The Performing Arts Peer Action Group are proud to be part of the Memory Go Round Exhibition
Five disabled artists share their intimate memories through installations at Memory-Go-Round (MGR). This installation celebrates diversity and the arts for the International Day of People with Disabilities.
MGR warmly invites the audience to an immersive installation. You will enter into an intimate and contemplative space of storytelling; from the interior of a car, to the memory of a church, to a dressing room, to Oliver Twist, and a sensory garden experience.
MGR captures the emotive imagination through the universal language of the senses, focusing on atmosphere and the expression of stories through light and shadow, sound, texture, taste and smell.
This sensory practice is sculpted by creatives specialising in sound, media and theatre. MGR aims to create a multi-disciplinary platform for lesser-heard stories to be shared with the broader community.
This event is fully accessible and you can find out more here.
Image courtesy of Distrupting Sighted Ableism. Photo by Carla Gottgens
PHOTO DESCRIPTION
The projection image is set at night and is dark and moody. There are projections of water droplets in shades of blue on the roof of a large space. We look up from the ground level at the back of people sitting in a car seat in the space with a windscreen window shape in front of them also with water droplets on it.

International Day of People with Disability: Morning Tea and Award Ceremony
2022-12-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Ballarat Town Hall, 225 Sturt St, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Ballarat Working Together Group invites you to come along and enjoy morning tea and music as we celebrate people with disability and their amazing contributions to our community.
The Matt Mattson Accessible Venue and Shane Everard Sport and Recreation Leadership Awards will also be presented.
VALID CEO, Fionn Skiotis, will be speaking at the event in honour of the day.
Please tell us you are coming and your accessibility requirements. Email mark@valid.org.au or phone 0418 573 702.
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International Day of People with Disability: Growing up Disabled in Australia
2022-12-05 14:00 - 16:30 | Watsonia Neighbourhood House, 47 Lambourn Rd, Watsonia, Victoria, 3087
Join a special guest guest panel of authors as they share stories from the acclaimed anthology , “Growing up Disabled in Australia”, and discuss issues around inclusion, identity and belonging.
There will be light refreshments and Questions and Answers with the authors. Email David Hansen to book – davidh@valid.org.au

International Day of People with Disability: Fantastic Flicks
2022-12-06 13:00 - 15:30
Celebrate International Day of People with a Disability with a screening of Fantastic Flicks at Moe Library. The screening of these films is made possible by our filmmakers and producers from City of Port Phillip, Arts Access Victoria, the Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) and MOJO Films.
You can register to attend the event by sending an email to David Hansen – davidh@valid.org.au.

Southern Self Advocacy Network Meeting
2023-03-27 10:45 - 11:45
VALID’s Southern Self Advocacy Network Meeting has changed venue.
The meeting is on next Monday, 27th March
at Castlefield Community Centre
505 Bluff Road, Hampton
10:45am – 11:45am
Please come a few minutes early if you would like to have a cuppa and biscuits before the meeting starts.
Meeting Agenda

Neighbourhood House Week
2023-05-10 12:30 - 14:30 | Watsonia Neighbourhood House, 47 Lambourn Rd, Watsonia, Victoria, 3087
To celebrate Neighbourhood House Week 2023 “Locals Connecting Locals”, join us for Fantastic Flicks Film Festival – a collection of short films made by and about people with disability.
Presented by the Banyule Darebin Peer Action Group in partnership with Focus on Ability Short Film Festival, VALID and Watsonia Neighbourhood House.
The event is on Wednesday 10 May at 12:30pm at Watsonia Neighbourhood House
Light lunch included and free films! We look forward to seeing you there!
Fantastic Flicks flyer

Inclusive Songwriting Workshops
2024-04-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-29 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Jika Jika Community Centre, 1B Plant Street, Northcote, VIC, 3070, Australia
Starting in April, you are invited to join in a series of fun and exciting sessions that explore the craft of songwriting. If you love music and want to get some experience in writing, playing and recording music, then this is the course for you.
There will be 8 sessions… 2hours each. We are seeking participants who are able to commit to the entire program. Proudly hosted by the Banyule/Darebin Peer Action Group.
TUTOR
Charles Jenkins is a Melbourne songwriter, musician, producer, performer and teacher with more than 30 years experience in the Music Industry. Charles has released 21albums, toured the world and been nominated for two ARIA awards with his band the Ice cream Hands.
CONTACT
Please confirm before 15 March 2024.
Places are limited.
David Hansen – davidh@valid.org.au 0435 019 775
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The Succession Planning Puzzle
2024-05-16 10:00 - 14:15 | Online
A course for family members of people with disability

Join us for an exclusive 4-week online (Zoom) Succession Planning Course starting soon

🗓️ Dates: See flyer
⏰ Time: 10am – 2.15pm
💼 Cost: Claimable as ‘carer training’ (details on flyer)

Secure your spot now and receive valuable planning templates, resources, and booklets.

Course Costs
The cost for an online group is $560 (13 hrs x $40) per person, which can be funded via ‘Carer Training’ in your family member’s NDIS plan (Item numbers on invoice). This includes a hard copy of the folder and Word templates for planning. Please use the form below to register. Limited Places

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My Housing Plan workshops
2024-09-23 00:00
Are there things you want to learn to be more independent at home?
Do you need more support or equipment to help you be more independent at home?
Do you want to learn more about your Home and Living Options?
The ‘My Housing Plan’ workshops are free to NDIS Participants across Victoria.
If you are interested in being part of the upcoming workshop in Warrnambool, please call VALID on 03 94164003 or email rick@valid.org.au
Find out more about the My Housing Plan project here.

Advocacy in Action conference
2025-06-16 09:00 - 2025-06-17 15:00 | Rydges Bell City Hotel, date215 Bell Street, Preston, Victoria, 3072
Registration is Now Open
The 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference will be held on
June 22nd & 23rd 2026
9.00 am to 4.30 pm each day at
Novotel Hotel Function Centre, (formerly Rydges Bell City) 215 Bell St. Preston
Optional Social event

held from 4.30pm – 5.30pm on Monday 22nd June
include drinks and nibbles
cost $40 per person
must be booked when you register

The Advocacy in Action conference is going to be an amazing opportunity to dive into important discussions about disability advocacy and key issues impacting people with disabilities. We’ll have a fantastic lineup of topics, including:

Perspectives on the changes to the NDIS
Disability issues and the Victorian State Election
Funding systems in the disability sector
Health care for people with intellectual disability

Speakers will include:

Kevin Stone, VALID Founder
Sara Gingold – Disability Services Consulting, Editor-in-Chief
Iwan Walters MP – Parliamentary Secretary for Disability
The new Victorian Public Advocate, Dan Stubbs
Naomi Anderson – Villamanta, Legal Practice Manager
Rod Carracher – NDIS Commission, Deputy Commissioner
Julia Hawkins, National Centre for Excellence in Intellectual Health
also featuring a live VALID Voice webinar

Keynote Speaker flyer download
Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and advocate in a time of uncertainty!
Final program will be available in May 2026.

Registration Information
All the details including refunds are available in the Easy Read info in the Terms & Conditions so don’t forget to read or download this doc.

Catering: lunch and morning and afternoon teas are provided
Please advise of your dietary requirements when you register
Registration is not confirmed until it is paid
Registrations not paid by June 15th 2026 will be cancelled

Ticket Types include:

** Concession registration fees are available to people who have Pension Concession Cards or Health Care Cards
Early Bird registration fee is only available on or before the 15th May 2026
## Support workers do not pay a registration fee, only a catering fee of $40 per day.
## To be eligible for Support Workercatering fee the worker or family member needs to be providing direct care, supervision, and support, without which the participant with disability wouldn’t be able to attend

Registration Costs
Registration EARLY BIRD rate is available until Friday 15th May 2026

Registration Now Open
Parking
Parking is available in the Novotel underground carpark during conference hours as part of your registration fee.
To make sure you go into the correct carpark, please read the parking info sheet.
Public Transport

You can take the Number 86 tram to 45 Bell St/Plenty Road Preston, which is a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
Bell Station is the closest train station, a 10-minute walk from the Novotel hotel, or Preston Station is a 17-minute walk.
Buses like 251, 513, 514, 552, and 553 also stop near the Novotel

For More Information
Contact Christine on Mob: 0475 698 884 Email: christine@valid.org.au or the VALID Office Phone: (03) 9416 4003 Email: info@valid.org.au
