Since its inception in 2016, Aruma’s annual Human Rights Conference has brought together disability thought leaders, advocates, community changemakers and Aruma participants for important conversations about human rights for people with a disability.
Each year the event tackles a new theme. This year, our speakers touched down in the Gold Coast, gathering to explore what it means to ‘Be Bold. Be You – Let’s smash stereotypes together’.
This year the conference was bigger than ever, selling out – even with more tickets available than ever before – and welcoming onboard a platinum sponsor, Centelon Solutions.
This year’s conference was a big success.
Our Master of Ceremonies this year, disability advocate and blind content creator, Karan Nagrani held his audience captive for the day. A natural comedian, Karan’s take on life and the world around us is fresh, real and extremely relatable.
We were privileged to hear from a group of individuals from a range of backgrounds, different experiences and insights who have smashed stereotypes to live the way they choose.
Guest speaker and Human Rights Advisory Committee member Nell Tyler said, “For me a huge stereotype is that my disability is what’s stopping me from achieving greatness. If I don’t have the help, if I don’t have the facilities, if I don’t have the equipment, that’s what stops me, but it isn’t my disability. That’s a huge stereotype that we’re smashing today.”
Other speakers included:
- Guest Speaker – James Norquay, a blind photographer, showed us anything is possible, he said “human rights to me is equal quality of life for people living with and without disabilities. It’s about having the same chance given to everybody no matter what they’re going through in every circumstance of life and making sure that we all have the same qualities and necessities in life.”
- Keynote speaker – Gayle Kennedy a member of the Wongaiibon clan of Southwest NSW, told us the story of her life and encouraged us all to be brave and stand up for who we are.
- Guest Speaker – Tee Lovell, shared her son Ky’s story about his passion and talent in music, how he’s followed his dreams of becoming a professional musician, and become a disability advocate for the music industry.
- Guest Speaker – Olivia Hope Roswell, shared her story of the decisions she’s been supported to make, and her love of skating and Frozen.
- Guest Speaker – Nell Tyler, a blogger, vlogger and songwriter shared their experiences and perspectives through the heartfelt and personal songs they’ve written.
- Guest Speaker – Aaliyah Bowie, a young Aboriginal woman spoke about how she’s been supported to find out about her Mob for the first time – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The launch of our quality promise – “The Aruma Way”
This year we also launched our quality promise – “The Aruma Way“.
Martin Laverty, CEO of Aruma said: “Our Human Rights Conference is created for our participants by our Human Rights Advisory Committee, and this makes it the perfect place to launch The Aruma Way, which is our quality promise to every person with disability that we support to always deliver services Your Way, the Safe Way, the Right Way, Together.
“The Aruma Way was developed in consultation with our participants, team and the Board. The Aruma Way is part of our DNA as a human right led disability provider. It’s embedded in everything we do, and what we hold ourselves accountable to.”
Check out our the highlights from the day below who stream the whole conference here on YouTube from the day to see for yourself.
