
Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference 2022
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 and disabled 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
- Thursday 11th - Friday 12th August 2022
- Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Re-imagining Recruitment - Pre-Conference Workshop
- Wednesday 10th August 2022
- Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
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.
Speakers + Facilitators
(Links open in new window)
- Professor Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD
- Sharon Carroll - Diversity and Inclusion Business Partner, Australia Post
- Susan Scott-Parker OBE HonD
- Thea Kurdi, DesignABLE Environments Inc.
- Annamarie Jamieson, People & Culture Director, Stuff NZ
- Gerard Stewart, Talent & Acquisition Manager, Stuff NZ
- Callum McKirdy
- Jay Barrett, Glia Workplace Pychologists
- Korrin Barrett
- Paula Tesoriero MNZM
- Phil Turner, Managing Director, Accessibility Tick/NZDEN
- Sandra Budd, Senior Relationship Manager, Accessibility Tick/NZDEN
Panelists
- Angela Desmarais, Disabled Persons Assembly NZ
- Anne Hawker ONZM. MSD
- Ben Lucas, ACC
- Dr Chandra Harrison, Access Advisors
- Chanelle Moriah, NZ author and illustrator
- Enya van Dulm, KPMG NZ
- Grant Cleland, Creative Solutions (Disability Consultants)
- Jack Keeys, KPMG NZ
- Jake Ryan, Halberg Youth Council
- Kelvin Xu, Westpac NZ
- Lara Draper, Deaf Aotearoa
- Sarah Mitchell, Head of Employment and Youth Transition at Blind Low Vision NZ
- Sian Winmill, freelance artist
- Skye A. Rapson, Unconventional Organisation
- Stew Sexton, AbilityDis Consulting
Highlights from the 2022 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."