Talks That Matter

Michael Callahan

Marc Gold & Associates, USA

Michael Callahan has consulted throughout the US, Canada and Europe in the area of customised employment for the past thirty-five years. He has worked with Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A) for thirty-eight years. MG&A aims to ensure the complete participation of people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workforce. In 2000, Michael joined others to form a non-profit organisation, Employment for All. In this series of presentations Michael gives an overview of Customised Employment, how it differs from traditional approaches to employment.

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Jan Kruger

Parent & Director of Imagine More, Canberra

Jan Kruger is from Canberra where her son Jack is a participant in the NDIS. Jack’s family have always had a vision that Jack would lead a typical life in the community, full of the opportunities and experiences that his older sisters have. Jan is also the Director and co-founder of Imagine More, a family led organisation based in Canberra that aims to strengthen family leadership and advocacy for people with a disability to get the good things in life. Jack’s family self-manage his NDIS supports to maximise the goals they have for a meaningful, valued, and fully inclusive life.

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John Armstrong

Consultant, Melbourne

John Armstrong has a long involvement in the lives of people with disabilities, in informal advocacy and friendship roles as well as the formal roles of service provider, teacher, adviser and service planner. John is one of two senior Social Role Valorisation and PASSING trainers in Australia. He is particularly interested in uncovering the reasons behind the abuse of vulnerable people and the things that influence beneficial instead of detrimental actions. His events seek to increase consciousness and the development of the qualities needed by people who intend to act with integrity and leadership.

Marg Rodgers

Director Community Resource Unit, Brisbane

Margaret Rodgers’ commitment to people with disabilities began in a L’Arche community in India in the early 80′s. For thirty years, she has enjoyed working with people with a disability and their families in Queensland in a variety of organisations; many involved in family support and most in the non-government sector. She first worked for CRU in 1996, coordinating the Leadership Development program for 4 years. When her children were young and also while living in Cairns she undertook a variety of part time and short term roles.

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In recent years she co-ordinated the Building of Informal Networks project with the Mamre Association where Circles of Support were used as a key strategy to assist adults move into homes of their own. In 2009, Margaret was engaged by Disability Services Queensland to further the implementation of person centred practice. During this time she became involved in the issue of improving the lives of people caught in the cycle of Emergency and Crisis. Marg returned to CRU to take up the position of Director in August 2009.

Mariam Issa

Founder RAW Community Garden

Refugee

Ambassador of Peace

Mariam Issa’s refugee experience is a powerful and positive one. Mariam shares her stories passionately about exclusion, ho- listic integration, social justice, women’s issues and strengthening communities. Mariam is the distinguished author of the book, “A Resilient Life,” a story of resilience in the face of hardship and the spirit of determination, optimism, and understanding of all that makes us human. She was awarded the Ambassador of Peace award and she is regularly invited to speak to large organisations and conferences and has featured on Australian TV and radio.

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