VALID

01/12/2025

💜 Celebrating the 2025 Geelong Awards for People with Disability

VALID is proud to support the 2025 Geelong Awards for People with Disability as an in-kind sponsor this year.

A big shoutout to Brooke, Ellie and Elicia from our In This Together project team, who have helped co-design this year’s event. Their leadership and lived experience continue to shape more inclusive, community-led celebrations in Geelong.

We look forward to joining the community this Wednesday to recognise local people with disability who are driving change, empowering others and strengthening our region.

Happy International Day of People with Disability 2025.

01/12/2025

💜 Are you a person with disability starting a small business?

Maybe you have a hobby you love and want to start selling your creations – just like Leah in the photo above.

To help you get the word out about your small business, VALID is offering discounted expo stands at the Our Choice Expo.

The expo is part of the Having a Say Conference on 27 and 28 January 2026.

If you’re interested, please contact Christine:
📧 christine@valid.org.au

📱 0475 698 884

27/11/2025

We are so excited to welcome everyone back for Having a Say 2026.

Join self advocates, families, supporters and organisations for three days of learning, connection and community.
27 to 29 January in Geelong.

Register now: valid.org.au/having-a-say

26/11/2025

✈️ Getting ready for holidays? Here’s a hot tip!

If you use a wheelchair and plan to fly soon:
✅ Tell the airline before you travel
✅ Ask them about their wheelchair policy

Some airlines only allow two people using wheelchairs on one flight.
If you don’t let them know early, you might have to wait for another flight.

To help you plan your trip, here are some Easy Read guides from the Australian Government:

📘 Your Rights When You Travel by Air (Easy Read)
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/your-rights-when-you-travel-by-air-we-want-to-know-what-you-think-easy-read-version-december2024.pdf

🦽 Accessible Air Travel for People with Disability
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/awp-factsheet-accessible-air-travel-for-people-with-disability.pdf

🛫 Aviation Green Paper – Easy Read
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/easy-read-paper-aviation-green-paper-we-want-to-know-what-you-think.pdf

🧳 Travel with a Wheelchair or Mobility Aid (CASA)
https://www.casa.gov.au/operations-safety-and-travel/consumer-and-passenger-advice/passengers-disability-and-reduced-mobility/wheelchairs-and-mobility-aids

💜 How We Will Make Air Travel More Accessible (Easy Read)
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/awp-white-paper-factsheet-accessible-air-travel-er-fa-accessible.pdf

At VALID, we believe travel should be fair and accessible for everyone.
Have a safe and happy holiday season! 🌏💜

24/11/2025

💬 DAY 2 at Having a Say brings powerful voices and workshops!

On Wednesday you can join:
⭐ Keynotes from Colleen Pearce and the NDIS Quality & Safety Commission
⭐ Performances from Scope Ballarat and “Silent Voices”
⭐ Workshops on public speaking, relationships, self-advocacy and being a researcher
⭐ VALID Self-Advocacy Projects showcase
⭐ Harley rides, karaoke and courtyard activities
⭐ Having a Say’s Got Talent auditions!

Don’t miss out.
Register now:
https://valid.org.au/having-a-say/

23/11/2025

💜 VALID’s 2025 Annual Meeting

Last week, we held our 2025 Annual Meeting – a warm and engaging chance to reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2026.

We shared updates from across VALID, including:
• The growth of VALID Connect and our Easy Read, training and consultation work
• Major achievements in Self Advocacy, including new partnerships and upcoming statewide workshops
• The successful wrap-up of VALID8, and the launch of ACTIV8
• Expanding Community Development projects, including CALD work and our first LGBTQIA+ group
• A huge year of events, from Having a Say to Advocacy in Action

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation. 💜

20/11/2025

🎤 DAY 1 at Having a Say is packed!
Here’s a taste of what’s planned on Tuesday:

✨ Keynote from the Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner
✨ The Wizard of Scope performance
✨ My Health Matters Masterclass
✨ VALID Connect session
✨ Harley rides, tie-dyeing, bingo and more
✨ Big 25-year celebration Disco 🎉

That’s just the start!
View the full program and register today:
https://valid.org.au/having-a-say/

20/11/2025

People who live in SDA homes should feel safe.
People should be treated with respect and have privacy.

But many people tell us this is not happening.

A new article from YPINH says some support workers and providers go into people’s homes without asking.
This is not OK.

If you rented a home, this would never be allowed.
It should not be allowed in SDA either.

You have rights.
You have the right to feel safe.
You have the right to privacy.
You have the right to choose who comes into your home.

If this has happened to you, you are not alone.
There is support to help you.

Click this link to read the article and find out more:
🔗 https://ypinh.org.au/article/living-in-sda-time-to-get-the-police-on-speed-dial/

18/11/2025

Empowering SDA Tenants Across Victoria

VALID’s new partnership with Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service is helping people with disability build knowledge and confidence in their SDA housing rights.

Through presentations, conversations and warm referrals, our team is supporting tenants to understand their rights and get the help they need.

Read more about the project and meet the team behind it 👇
🔗 https://valid.org.au/building-confidence-in-sda-housing-rights/

People with disabilities living in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) are gaining a stronger understanding of their housing rights through a new project led by VALID in partnership with Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service. “The project helps tenants know where they stand when it come...

17/11/2025

💜 The Having a Say Conference 2026 program is here!
We’re celebrating 25 years of Australia’s biggest and longest-running disability-led conference — and this year is shaping up to be our biggest yet.

Across three days you’ll hear from leaders in disability rights, join workshops, enjoy performances and have your say in spaces designed for real voice and real choice.
📅 27 – 29 January 2026
📍 Deakin Waterfront, Geelong

Check out the full program and register now:
https://valid.org.au/having-a-say/

ID: Banner for Having a Say Conference 2026 program summary with event dates, location, sponsors, and theme celebrating 25 years of advocacy.

16/11/2025

💜 VALID welcomes the new NDIA CEO – Easy Read

VALID welcomes Graeme Head AO.
He is the new CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Graeme Head has lots of experience.
He has worked in government for many years.
He also led the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

VALID looks forward to working with him.
The NDIS is changing and improving.
We hope these changes help people with disability have more rights, voice and choice.

We wish Graeme Head AO all the best in his new job.

Image description: Man wearing a dark suit jacket, white shirt, and a light green paisley tie against a plain light background.

13/11/2025

🎨 Having a Say Art Competition – Still Open!

You’ve still got time to enter the Barbara Donovan & Sarah Guilfoil Art Competition!

Named in honour of Barbara – a long-time VALID volunteer – and her daughter Sarah, a past winner, this competition celebrates creativity and community.

✨ Who can enter?
• Open to people with a disability
• 3 prizes for conference delegates
• 2 prizes for non-delegates

💰 Prizes
• Delegates: $600 + certificate
• Non-delegates: $350 + certificate

🏆 Winners announced at the Closing Ceremony, Costa Hall, Thursday 29 January 2026.

👉 All details (and the Entry Form) are on the website:
https://valid.org.au/having-a-say-competitions/ %20Competition

Still open – don’t miss out!

Image description:
A close-up of a person’s hands as they draw a simple pencil picture of sunflowers, hills, clouds and a sun on white paper placed on a wooden table.