Keynote Speakers
Associate Professor Teresa Iacono, Ph.D.
Centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria,
Monash University
Partners on the Research Journey - An Ethics Perspective 
Biography
Associate Professor Iacono is Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Centre for Developmental Disabilities Health Victoria (CDDHV). She oversees the research activities of CDDHV as Director of Research. Teresa has a background in speech pathology, with a particular interest in developmental disabilities and complex communication needs. Her Ph.D. was completed at the University of Nebrasksa – Lincoln (USA) in Special Education and Communication Disorders, on the topic of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in early language intervention. Prior to working at Monash University, she had an academic appointment in the Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, where she co-convened a Masters in Communication Disorders. In her current work, she has continued her research interest in AAC through a seconded position as Senior Researcher for the Communication Resource Centre, Scope (Vic) Ltd. From 2002-2004, she was editor of the journal Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Her research has always focused on developmental disabilities, including health and wellbeing; assessment of mental health, communication and reading skills; Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome; and reading development. Relevant publications include 61 refereed journal publications, 8 book chapters, and one co-edited book. Her research, publications on the ethical issues of involving people with developmental disabilities in research and 15 years of working on university Human Research Ethics Committees were recognised in 2007 when she received an Inaugural National Health and Medical Research Council Ethics Award.
Robert Martin
National Self Advocacy Advisor
IHC National Self Advocacy Team
"The Boy Who Kicked the Ball on the Roof"
Biography
Robert Martin comes from Wanganui, New Zealand where he lives with his 
wife Lynda. Robert has an intellectual disability and at 18 months old, he was placed in an institution where he would spend his childhood moving from foster homes, institutions, and special schools. At fifteen, Robert returned to live at home and attended a day service with IHC New Zealand Incorporated.
Robert began his work in self advocacy around 1985 and was one of the first people with an intellectual disability involved in the New Zealand People First movement. In 1990 he was employed by IHC to promote self advocacy. Robert then worked as an advisor for the IHC Training and Development Team before rejoining the IHC National Self Advocacy Team as a National Self Advocacy Advisor – his current role.
Robert has achieved much on an international level and began his international work in 1991. Robert was a member of Inclusion International from 1996 – 2008, holding a position of Councillor for the Asia Pacific. Robert has also been a member of two other International Committees, The International Disability Alliance and The Panel of Experts for the United Nations Standard Rules for Persons with Disabilities.
Robert was instrumental in the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, serving on the UN Committee from 2003 – 2008. Robert’s international work has seen him travel extensively throughout the world and he is recognised for his leadership and motivation.
Robert has always been very aware of the injustice people with a disability face in their everyday life. During his journey, Robert has found a powerful way of changing things – the power of working together.
Denise Leembruggen
Founder, Awakenings Festival and
Immediate Past Vice President of the Association of Children with a Disability, Victoria, Australia
Creative Community Partnerships That WORK!
Biography
Denise was festival director of the Awakenings Festival, Horsham, Western Victoria, for nine years (1998 – 2007), and a volunteer for the previous two years.
In that role she was responsible for coordination and direction of all facets of the festival which includes sourcing funding and sponsorship; liaising with performing groups, professional performers, volunteers, outdoor recreation groups, visual artists and workshop conveners from Melbourne, interstate and overseas; developing community partnerships and program diversity whilst maintaining the integrity of this unique regional event.
Denise considers it to have been an absolute privelege to be involved in the evolution of the festival from a small regional event to one of national and international standing and to have worked with so many inspiring and creative people.
Denise is currently Vice President of the Committee of Management for the Association for Children with a Disability, a peak body for information, advocacy and support in Victoria.
David Wareing
Occupational Therapist, Tasmania
The Moral Order of Supported Care: ‘Who shot the donkey?
Biography
As an occupational therapist, David specialises
in working with people with an intellectual disability
who display challenging behaviour. His research, publications and practice are focused on exposing the practical reasoning found in supported care and making that care better. He was award a Master of Medical Science in 2002 from the University of Tasmania.
Gary W. LaVigna, PH.D.
Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
South Carolina, USA
Service Quality: How to measure it and how to get it
Biography
Gary LaVigna is Clinical Director of the Institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis in Los Angeles, California. He spends much of his time consulting with organizations on establishing non-ave rsive behaviour support plans for individuals exhibiting severe and challenging behaviour and presenting seminars on the topic throughout the world. His work is reported in numerous articles and his co-authored books - Alternatives to Punishment, Progress Without Punishment and The Periodic Service Review: A Total Quality Assurance System For Human Services and Education.
BEVERLEY FUNNELL
Manager - Disability Bureau
Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania
‘Partners in the Dance – But Who’s Leading?’
Biography
Beverley is the inaugural manager of the Disability Bureau, which was established in July 2006 in the Department of Premier and Cab
inet inTasmania to lead a whole-of-Government policy initiative designed to advance the situation of Tasmanians with disability.
Bev’s academic studies have included education,developmental psychology, human service systems and change processes. However, she took time out to study dance and arts philosophy at Goldsmith College at the University of London.
For the past 27 years Bev has been involved, both privately and professionally, in the lives of people with disability, and their families. Before taking up the position in Hobart, Bev worked with the Queensland Public Advocate in a systems advocacy role on behalf of adults with a decision-making impairment including intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, dementia and psychiatric disability.
Prior to this Bev worked in numerous professional roles in State Government (NSW) Local Authority (Wales, UK) and the community sector in Queensland. These included: community care manager, supervisor of day services and community team leader (intellectual disability) in Wales, UK; regional director of services (NSW), and a consultant, service reformer, teacher, lecturer, author and service evaluator in Queensland.
