What is it?

The "Having a Say" conference is held each year in a country area of  Victoria.  It aims to give people with a disability the opportunity to not only attend a conference, but also to be involved in planning and running a conference.  "Having a Say" has been held each year for the last eight years around Victoria, including Maryborough, Echuca, Horsham, Colac, Gippsland, Benalla and Geelong.

What Happens at the Conference?

The conference program is usually very busy, but it has choices for everyone and lots of time to meet people from around Australia.

The topics for speakers are based on issues of interest that people with a disability have nominated.   Topics of the speakers and workshops held in the past have included Jobs & Wages, Relationships, Dreams & Aspirations, Legal Rights, Self-Advocacy and Leisure.    Most sessions have group activities in them so that everyone can get a say and if people need support to participate, volunteers assist them to write or draw their comments.

There are also other activities that participants can choose to do and these are fun things that give people a chance to socialise and also try something new.  In 2006 at Geelong, we had 'Come and Try' activities, such as  Latin dancing, Sailability, learning how to give a neck Massage, Music workshops, Art, Cricket and Surfing.  They were great fun and also broke up the day in between workshops.  A Conference Dinner and a Disco is always a big hit, and in 2007 this was held in conjunction with the local 'Hot Goss' group.

Who runs the Conference?

VALID Inc. is the state wide organiser of the Conference which is run on a break-even basis (ie: not for profit).  A Local Organising Group is set up to support the planning and running of the conference.  The group is comprised of people with a disability, VALID representatives, local services and other interested people.  The Group not only assists with the planning but it adds a 'local flavour' to the program.

The Conference Aims each year to provide people with a disability:  

      The opportunity to 'Have A Say' about issues that effect their lives.

      An Annual Conference in a rural location of Victoria (rotating around the State)

     Opportunity to celebrate ability and achievement.

     To be heard by Politicians, Departmental Representatives and Service Providers.

     Opportunity to participate in new activities.

     With support, be involved in developing strategies required to address issues from
         recommendations made at the Conference. 

"Having A Say" Conference 2008

This is a call for Expressions of Interest from people with a disability and disability groups who wish to be part of the main program for the "Having A Say" Conference in Geelong on February 6th - 8th, 2008.  Priority will be given to presentations that involve people with a disability in the planning and presentation.

The theme for the 2008 Conference is 'Being the Change'.  Presentations should preferably be in keeping with this theme and may be in the form of a workshop, presentation (group or individual), performance or a display.

If you are interested in being part of the program through putting on a performance, presentation or information session, then complete the 'Expression of Interest' (EO1) form attached ( in Word Format) by clicking the underlined link, or if you prefer PDF format, click onto the button below.  Print off the form then complete and return it to Christine Scott at VALID.

  More information is available from:
               
                  Christine Scott, VALID
 

03 9416 4003
	03 9416 0850
christine@valid.org.au

Some information from the last Conference is available on this site.