AUSTRALIAN

INCLUSIVE SCHOOLING

CONFERENCE

BRISBANE

12-13 March 2020

The Conference

Two Days of Inspiring Presentations

12 & 13 March 2020

8:30 am

The Illume Learning Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference is an unmissable opportunity for those with an interest in and passion for inclusive education. The conference will inform, inspire, challenge and empower delegates to deepen their commitment to an inclusive education for students with disabilities.

The event will bring together Australian and international leaders in the field of inclusive education to share informative and engaging presentations on the philosophy, research and practice of inclusive education. The conference will showcase current research, innovative approaches and strategies to include and engage students with disabilities.

About Illume Learning

Illume Learning was established in 2015 by experienced and dedicated professionals in the fields of disability and education in Australia.

Illume Learning provides dynamic training, engaging resources and customised consultancy services to both educators and parents. The team at Illume Learning are passionate about ensuring that students with diverse learning needs reach their potential and welcome the opportunity to work together to ensure this becomes a reality.

Illume Learning has proven to be a leader in providing high quality professional development opportunities for educators across Australia and the Inclusive Schooling Conference will stand at the forefront of our professional development program for 2020.

Participants

200

Sessions

30

Exhibitors

20

Speakers

20

Speakers

The Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference will comprise of two full days of keynote and concurrent sessions featuring over 20 nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers, including an exclusive Australian appearance from the renowned Dr Paula Kluth.

Dr Kathy Cologon

Dr. Kathy Cologon is a Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education at the Department of Educational Studies, Macquarie University.

With extensive experience in the field prior to commencing her work in academia, followed by a decade of educating teachers for inclusion, and ongoing research engagement with children, families, teachers and allied professionals, Kathy has a depth and breadth of understanding of the many facets of inclusive education.

Her book Inclusive Education in the Early Years: Right from the start, which was commissioned by Oxford University Press, has become a core component of undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education for inclusion across Australia and internationally. Kathy has published more than 30 papers and chapters to date, addressing many different aspects of inclusion.

Kathy’s current research includes an ARC funded longitudinal study investigating factors contributing to disruptive behavior, a national evaluation of inclusion support, and research on child, family and teacher perspectives on and experiences of inclusion and exclusion and factors that facilitate successful inclusion.

Associate Professor Bob Jackson

Associate Professor Bob Jackson started in disability in the 1970s working as a psychologist, institution superintendent, service manager and Regional Director with the WA Government Disability Services.

From 1990 to 2003 he was at Edith Cowan University in the Centre for Disability Research and Development, where he was Director from 1998 and Associate Professor of Education from 2000.

From 1995, Professor Jackson has been closely involved with school inclusion, advising families, teachers, schools and education systems on the rationale and practicalities of inclusion. Dr Jackson was contracted by the Federal Government to review disability discrimination in education in Australia and other countries and has worked with senior staff in education departments around Australia on implementing inclusion. He continues to regularly present on inclusion to workshops for families, school administrators and teaching staff as well as conduct research projects on disability issues.

Yenn (formerly Jeanette) Purkis is an autistic author and advocate.

Yenn has six published books on elements of autism including two on resilience for parents of autistic kids. They have given many keynote presentations, including for TEDx Canberra and are on several advisory boards and committees. Yenn has had a number of media engagements including the ABC documentary Alone in a Crowded Room. Yenn was the 2016 ACT Volunteer of the Year and has a number of other awards for community leadership. Yenn has facilitated a women's support group in Canberra since 2011 and has worked for the Australian Public Service since 2007.

Lisa Bridle is a social worker with a background in community development. Since 2011, she has worked at Community Resource Unit in family leadership development. Her work focuses on helping families to have a positive vision of an inclusive life and developing the skills they need to pursue that vision both as an individual family and as part of collective efforts for change.

Lisa is mother of 3. Since Sean was born, she has been developing her own skills as an advocate through supporting Sean͛s school inclusion and as an active member of family advocacy organisations.

Lisa is passionate about working with others towards communities which routinely include and value the contributions of people with disability. She also has a long-term interest in the bioethical issues impacting on people with disability and her PhD research examined the ethical issues raised by prenatal diagnosis of disability.

Rhonda Faragher

Dr Rhonda Faragher is Deputy Head of the School of Education and a senior lecturer in Inclusive Education. She has internationally recognised expertise in the mathematics education of learners with Down syndrome. In her research and teaching, she works to improve the educational outcomes of students who have difficulties learning mathematics, for whatever reason, including through educational disadvantage. Beyond mathematics education, she has expertise in inclusive education in a range of contexts, including secondary classrooms.

Dr Faragher Is the Director of the Down Syndrome Research Program within the School of Education. She is an appointed Board member to the Academy on Education, Teaching and Research of IASSIDD - the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Chair of the Down syndrome Special Interest Research Group of IASSIDD, Trustee of Down Syndrome International and an Independent Director of Down Syndrome Australia. She is Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities.

Dr Faragher is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has received a number of awards for her work including the 2016 ACU Vice-Chancellor's Medal for Staff Excellence, a Commonwealth of Australia Endeavour Executive Award and the 2011 Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Research Award.

Sponsors and Supporters

Illume Learning.