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    Inclusion Matters

    Text Inclusion Matters, putting inclusion into action. Logo QDN, Queenslanders with Disability Network, Nothing About Us Without Us

    Inclusion Matters Forums – Putting inclusion into action

    About the forums:

    You can help to strengthen disability inclusion in your community across housing, employment, education, health and transport.

    Now, and into the future—by including everyone.

    Inclusion Matters forums, hosted by local QDN Peer Leaders showcase what real inclusion looks like across the seven outcome areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy. Join people with disability, families, allies and organisations as we share ideas, solutions and practical actions for building stronger, more inclusive communities – together.

    In 2025, we held Regional in-person community forums and online forums that brought together over 450 attendees. These attendees included people with disability, family members and careers, community and peak organisations, members of local and regional councils and community members and advocates. All who saw the need for community collaboration to tackle the inclusion barriers we are facing in our local communities.  

    • Hear from local leaders and changemakers about what works and what’s needed next.
    • Join conversations about how we can make inclusion stronger across housing, employment, education, health, transport, and community life.
    • Turning good ideas into real change – share your insights and shape inclusion in your community.

     These key community events continue into 2026 and are now live!  

     Join the conversation by registering for your local Inclusion Matters Forum or an Online Forum today. 

    Upcoming Forums:

    Online Inclusion Matters Forum #6 - Health and Wellbeing

    Topic: Health and Wellbeing
    Where: Online via Zoom
    When: Thursday 15 October
    Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
    Click this link to register: 
    https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-forum-6-online/

    A woman with a blue top wearing glasses and hair parted in the middle and pulled back.
    Dr Pingping Han
    Panel discussion

    Dr Pingping Han is a researcher at The University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, where she leads the Epigenetic Nanodiagnostics and Therapeutics Group within the Centre for Orofacial Regeneration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (COR3). Dr Han received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Queensland University of Technology in 2014. Her research focuses on gum health, including developing simple approaches to detect and monitor gum disease using saliva, as well as exploring innovative therapies to support the repair and regeneration of gum tissues.  

    Dr Han also brings lived experience of disability to her community engagement and is passionate about making oral health knowledge more accessible and helping people better understand the importance of maintaining healthy gums. Through her research, Dr Han hopes to make understanding gum health simple and accessible to everyone. 

    A man wearing a grey jacket over a white shirt smiling at the camera, he has short light hair.
    Simon Katterl
    Chief Executive Officer, Rise

    Simon Katterl is Chief Executive Officer of Rise: Queensland’s Mental Health Lived Experience Peak. He is a mental health and human rights advocate with a background spanning law, public policy, psychology and lived experience leadership. Simon supports a team that undertakes lived experience advocacy focused on rights based transformation, system governance, psychosocial supports and true lived experience leadership. 

    As part of Rise, he regularly works with government, regulators, peak bodies and community organisations to strengthen accountability and shift systems away from coercive, biomedical responses toward community led, recovery oriented approaches. Rise’s work is centred on its members’ views and expertise, prioritising dignity, equity and lived experience evidence across Queensland’s mental health system. 

    Gillian Hermosilla-Silva
    Manager of Disability Policy and Projects within the System Policy Branch of the Department of Health

    Gillian Hermosilla-Silva is the Manager of Disability Policy and Projects within the System Policy Branch of the Department of Health. Gilly brings a wealth of experience across the health sector, drawing on her background as a nurse, midwife and healthcare leader. Gilly has a specific interest in state-wide policy and projects that present a positive and proactive approach to overcoming systemic healthcare challenges for priority communities. 

    A woman with long dark hair and wearing a black dress. Smiling at the camera
    Sophie Charles
    Project Officer QDN - Reforms Team

    Sophie is a Project Officer in the QDN Disability Reform team. Sophie is passionate about including the voice of lived experience in co-design, and supporting meaningful and inclusive co-design practices. 

    What is Australia’s Disability Strategy?

    Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (ADS) is a national framework that all Australian governments have signed up to. It sets out a plan for continuing to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia over 10 years.

    The topics for the Forums are linked to the Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) 7 outcome areas:

    1. Employment and financial security
    2. Inclusive homes and communities
    3. Safety, rights and justice
    4. Personal and community support
    5. Education and learning
    6. Health and wellbeing
    7. Community attitudes

    Past Forums

    To see past forums, please follow this link: https://qdn.org.au/ourwork/inclusion-matters/inclusion-matters-past-forums/

    If you have any questions or need support, please contact Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) on 1300 363 783 or email qdn@qdn.org.au.