The 2022 New Zealand Employers’ Network ‘Disability Inclusive Pathways’ Conference is over, but the work is not. Thank you to the 120 business leaders, diversity and human resources professionals, industry experts and influencers from the public, private and for-purpose sectors who joined us and made it a great event.

Thank you also to our amazing disability experts, experienced practitioners anddisabled people from Aotearoa and around the world who each bought a valuable perspective that sparked so much discussion and consideration from our attendees.

This year's theme, 'Unlocking True Potential' looked at how we can support and empower disabled and neurodiverse employees to be all that they are capable of being and ways to foster organisational culture of true belonging of disabled people in the workplace.

Conference dates and location

Re-imagining Recruitment - Pre-Conference Workshop

This year we offered a highly attended half-day pre-conference round table workshop 'Re-imagining Recruitment' which provided an opportunity to look at inclusive recruitment practises that will better allow employers to tap into the wealth of talent of disabled people.

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Supporters

Highlights from the 2022 conference

Speaker, Korrin Barrett, sits on a chair holding a microphone on stage. A large screen is behind her.
Keynote Speaker, Korrin Barrett answers questions from attendees after her presentation 'The value of work'.
Four people seated in on a stage with a screen behind them. A woman stands at a lectern at the far end of the stage.
The Disabled Persons Panel of Jake Ryan, Sarah Mitchell and Stew Sexton, facilitated by Sandra Budd.
A man sitting in a red armchair, speaking into a microphone. Beside him sits his wheel chair, and a purple banner reads '2022 Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference'
Stew Sexton speaking from the stage during the Disabled Persons Panel.
Room of people waving hands in the NZSL sign for applause.
Room of attendees applaud in NZ Sign Language.
Two people engaged in a conversation using Sign Language
Two people at the conference, engaging in a conversation in NZ Sign Language.
Room of delegates with attention on a video-presentation
Sharon Caroll, Australia Post during a live video link presentation.
View photo gallery from conference

What people said about the 2022 Conference

"Great panellists and presenters. Wonderful sense of camaraderie in the room. I left with practical information to take back to my employer."

"Thank you for putting together an amazing event. Last year I said that it was the best conference I had ever been to, but I think it was even better this year."

"(Loved) connecting with like-minded people, the workshopping and re-energising me in this work and reminding me why we do what we do."

"As someone currently without a physical disability or neurodiversity, I was humbled to be in a space where I could hear from disabled people in a safe environment."

"This was an excellent conference & I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I learned a lot from the incredible speakers & panellists."

"It was inspiring and life-changing and has given me information and steps to take to actively make my workplace more accessible to staff and customers. World class."

"It was an incredible experience. The venue, the way the days were planned, the people on the panels, and the length of the talks were all just right. I have taken away so many ideas to implement in my practice. The thing I liked most was how inclusive the entire experience felt, it was hard going back to normal life and readjusting after being in a lovely bubble surrounded by amazing, kind people who are motivated to support the disabled community."

"Fidget toys were very helpful! Probably the best work conference I've ever been to."

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2022 Speakers and Facilitators

A woman with brown curly hair looks at the camera with a smile. She is Susan Scott-Parker.

Susan Scott-Parker
OBE HonD

Founder, business disability international

   About Susan
A wahine with short dark hair a brown eyes, wearing formal attire smiling at the camera.

Paula Tesoriero MNZM

New Zealand Disability Rights Commissioner

   About Paula
A pakeha lady with short blond hair looking at the camera

Korrin Barrett

life unlimited

   About Korrin
A white caucasian lady with short brown hair wearing a red and black dress with a white pearl necklace.

Professor Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD

Found and Chief Executive Office, Do-IT Solutions

   About Amanda
A headshot of a middle aged pakeha man with a moustache and glasses.

Selwyn Cook

Selwyn Cook: facilitator - Disability Employment

   About Selwyn
Thea is wearing a burgundy sweater and white floral blouse. Her short silver hair is parted to the left side and she is smiling warmly at the camera

Thea Kurdi

President of DesignABLE Environments Inc.

   About Thea
A white caucasian lady with short brown hair smiling.

Annamarie Jamieson

People and Culture Director, Stuff NZ

   About Annamarie
A pakeha man with short dark hari and a beard smiling at the camera.

Gerard Stewart

Talent & Acquisition Manager, Stuff NZ

   About Gerrard
A man with mid length brown hair and lightly shaved beard smiling.

Jay Barrett

Psychologist, Glia

   About Jay
A pakeha male with short brown hair and glasses looks at the camera smiling

Callum McKirdy

Speaker, Author, Mentor and Facilitator

   About Callum
A lady with shoulder length ginger hair smiling

Sharon Carroll

Diversity & Inclusion Partner, Australia Post

   About Sharon
Head shot of a woman, Sandra Budd. She has short hair, glasses, and is smiling warmly at the camera

Sandra Budd

Senior Relationship Manager, Accessibility Tick / NZDEN

   About Sandra
A pakeha man with short brown hair, green eyes and wearing glasses smiling.

Phil Turner

Managing Director, Accessibility Tick / NZDEN

   About Phil

2022 Panelists

A lady with a lare scarf and glasses

Angela Desmarais
Research and Development Advisor, Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) NZ

A lady with short grey hair wearing a blue chifon top

Anne Hawker ONZM
Principal Disability Adviser, Ministry of Social Development

A headshot of a pakeha male with short hair, brown eyes and glasses smiling.

Ben Lucas
Lead Advisor - Disability, ACC New Zealand

Chanelle Morish head shot. They are smiling at the camera

Chanelle Moriah
Author & Illustrator
'I Am Autistic'

Pakeha woman with short hair

Dr Chandra Harrison
Managing Director, Access Advisors

Enya a woman with long brown hair smiling at the camera

Enya van Hulm
Lead Accessibility Network, KPMG NZ

Grant Cleland, a white male with sandy coloured hair and glasses smiling at the camera

Grant Cleland
Director Creative Solutions (Disability Consultancy) and
Past CE Workbridge

Jack Keeys, a blonde male is smiling at the camera

Jack Keeys
Founder Accessibility Network, KPMG

A young man with ginger hair smiling

Jake Ryan
Founder Accessibility Network, KPMG

Kelvin Xu, an asian man wearing glasses smiles at the camera

Kelvin Xu
Co-chair Westpac Accessibility EAG

A pakeha lady with shoulder length blond hair smiling.

Lara Draper
Senior Manager for Deaf Adults and Seniors, Deaf Aotearoa

Head shot of a woman, Sandra Budd. She has short hair, glasses, and is smiling warmly at the camera

Sandra Budd
Senior Relationship Manager, Accessibility Tick/NZDEN

Sarah MItchell a blonde female smiling at the camera

Sarah Mitchell
Head Of Employment And Youth Transition, Blind And Low Vision NZ

A lady with long ginger hair in a thinking pose and smiling

Skye A. Rapson
Founder, ADHD Coach, and Researcher, Unconventional Organisation

A picture of a young lady with ginger and red hair wearing a top with red highlights and flamingos.

Sian Winmill
Freelance Artist

A pakeha man with dark curly hair smiling.

Stew Sexton
Owner, AbilityDis Consulting

Photos from the 2021 conference

NZ Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero MNZM speaks to delegates from the stage at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference
Keynote speaker at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference, NZ Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero MNZM, speaks to delegates from the stage. The title of her presentation is 'Getting this Right Counts'.
A panel of disabled people sit on seats on the stage. The topic for this panel is 'Finding a job - the good, the bad and the ugly'
A panel of disabled people sit on seats on the stage. The topic for this panel is 'Finding a job - the good, the bad and the ugly'
Callum McKirdy presenting at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Pathways Conference
Callum McKirdy presenting on Harnessing the Power of Neurodiversity in our Workplaces' at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Pathways Conference
Three people having a discussion in NZ Sign Langugage at the NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference 2021
Three people engaged in conversation using NZ sign language NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference 2021
Table of delegates engage in discussion around a table at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference
A round table of delegates from various organisations engage in discussion around a table at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference
Table of delegates at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference. One person is interpreting the conversation using NZ Sign Language.
Table of delegates at the 2021 NZDEN Disability Inclusive Pathways conference. One person is interpreting the conversation using NZ Sign Language. On stage presenting is 'That Blind Woman' Julie Woods.

What people said about the 2021 Conference

"The mix of people with accessibility needs and people working with people with accessibility needs/employers (was great) - a great blend of perspectives. The range of topics covered was excellent."

"Everything was done very well! Very professionally pulled together, great speakers, great venue (and catering), great networking opportunity. All in all it was very enjoyable and gave me some great insights/resources to take back to my organisation."

"First level of accessible documentation. Great having braille of the presentations. Enjoyed the passion and commitment."

"Great speakers & content. Most inspiring people and stories. Great networking. Such nice people. Good venue. Well looked after."

"The speakers were all great, I especially liked hearing from disabled people and the struggles and successes they have had. The location was great."

"It provided specific useful information, inspirational speakers, was relevant, good contacts, national and international speakers."

2022 Disability Inclusive
Pathways Conference

'Unlocking Full Potential'

10 August - Pre-conference workshop
11-12 August - Conference
Novotel Lakeside Rotorua

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