Meet the IncludeAbility Ambassadors

Audrey (she/her) is an actor, film maker, screen writer and author, which she says has given her countless opportunities to contribute by storytelling and making films that are inclusive.  

Akii (they/them) is deeply passionate about economic equity and disability employment.

They are a proud, multiply-disabled, multiply-neurodivergent, complex chronically ill and LGBTIQA+ queer, trans non-binary person of colour, from a refugee background.

Akii is also a lived experience survivor-advocate and activist against all forms of violence.

Akii has spent their entire career (and most of their life) dedicated to making a positive and sustainable difference to the community, particularly in cohorts of society that directly impact them.

Andrew (he/him) is a proud advocate for people with disability, who has an intellectual disability and autism.

Andrew was selected to be part of the ABC TV documentary series, The Assembly, where he was mentored by one of Australia’s most renowned journalists, Leigh Sales.

He has also been an Ambassador for Special Olympics Australia, where he was selected to meet the Royal Family in 2014.

He likes to say “our time to shine" and "nothing about us without us”.

Brooke (she/her) is a passionate advocate for inclusion in education and employment, dedicated to ensuring meaningful achievement for all.

As a PhD student, her research focuses on supporting neurodivergent students to access and thrive in global learning experiences.

She also runs the University of Queensland Disability Inclusion and Advocacy Network to further support her aims.

Clare (she/her) is a woman with multiple disabilities, including Autism, working as a passionate advocate for the inclusion of people with a disability in all areas of the community.

She is the former Co-Chair of the Oversight Council for the Australian Federal Government’s first National Autism Strategy, and the Chair of the Board of the National Disability Research Partnership. 

She currently works as Policy Officer for Women With Disabilities Australia, and is an independent consultant.

Dinesh (he/him) is a doctor, lawyer and medical researcher. He sustained a spinal cord injury in medical school, which caused quadriplegia.

Dinesh works in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country, while engaging in university researching and teaching; as well as various buiness sectors and advocacy. 

Freya (she/her) is an activist, writer, speaker, and embodied movement facilitator.

She’s ridden the waves of many movements, from disability rights to safety and embodied liberation, while mothering alongside a complicated dance with blindness.

Freya has led the building access project for People with Disability Australia for 5 years and worked on the Safer Me Safer You project from the start.

She lives, loves and dances on Gadigal country.

Giancarlo (they/them) is an award-winning disability, racial justice and LGBTIQA+ advocate.

They are the CEO of BEING – Mental Health Consumers, the NSW peak body for people living with mental illness and psychosocial disability.

They are on the Board of the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and the Tenants’ Union of NSW.

They are the Treasurer of the Australian Centre for Disability Law.

Giancarlo also sits on the Council of the Australian Government’s National Disability Data Asset.

Throughout his life, Joe (he/him) has witnessed and overcome significant communication barriers, particularly in workplaces where sign language was underutilised. These challenges fueled his passion for advocating for workplace equality and accessibility, striving to ensure that others wouldn't face similar struggles.

Upon retiring, his life transformed immeasurably. Freed from these trials, he embraced his creative side, becoming a printmaker and sculptor. His artistic journey is deeply informed by his experiences, blending exploration, resilience and the beauty of connection into each piece he creates. 

Joanne (she/her) is an Indigenous Nyoongar Woman from Western Australia, born in Donnybrook. She is an advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous voices in conversations across Australia.

While working one day, she suffered six sub-acroide aneurysms. After this, she moved to Perth and began advocating for Indigenous people with brain and head injuries. 

She is an Indigenous representative on numerous Community Advisory Committees and State Advisory Committees, including the State Aboriginal Mental Health Network.

Rahim (he/him) is the embodiment of his name, which means merciful in Arabic.

He is a relentless advocate for change and is determined to positively impact the world around him.

He brings enthusiasm and energy to every endeavour he makes, and he hopes we can all work together to create a brighter, move inclusive future for all. He believes in the sanctity and value of life, and does everything he can to improve people's lives.

Ricki (she/her) M.Ed. BSW. BA B.Ed. is a qualified teacher and social worker. She identifies as a transgender non-binary person with lived experience of disability. 

She is an advocate for people with disability and transgender people. She speaks openly about living with mental health issues and thriving.

She is passionate about local planning issues regarding access to health and services for marginalised groups in Victoria. 

Tracey (she/her) is a proud hard of hearing woman with a passion for advocacy and inclusion. Her 30-year career has crossed social housing, women’s domestic violence services and the film and television industry. She received her Order of Australia in 2023 for services to people with disability and the arts.

She is a passionate advocate for the representation and employment of people with disability in the Australian screen industry. She has led the work of Bus Stop Films on a global scale, enacting human rights outcomes for people with disability through filmmaking, skills development, employment advocacy. 

Zoe (she/they) is an award-winning journalist, copywriter, speaker, author, and fierce disability advocate, who uses the raw power of storytelling to smash stigma and create change. 

Zoe has been published hundreds of times around the globe, and candidly shares her experiences as a chronically ill disabled autistic. 

Using lived experience, she fights to make a difference—or at the very least, help others know they aren’t alone.

Heidi is an experienced researcher and consultant specialising in intersectional disability and neuro-inclusion. A proud disability and women's rights advocate, Heidi’s passionate about making the world a better place for women people with disability.

Jake is a solicitor and says his employment has allowed for a better free flow of information sharing and his ability to create a smile in people, building a strong rapport, helps foster a stronger team environment.

Jane is the Chair of the Disability Council in New South Wales. Jane is pursuing a non-executive director career and loves travelling, seeing the world and enjoying recreational activities with her friends.
 

Lisa is a Planning expert in Inclusive Communities and Cities, and is currently a Senior Research ARC DECRA Fellow at the School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania.

Nas has been a journalist, newsreader, producer and radio presenter with the ABC for a decade. As the National Disability Affairs Reporter, she helps elevate the voices of people with disability through stories across radio, TV and online.

Nathan believes meaningful employment provides independence, financial security, and a sense of purpose. He says it also means he’s valued and respected as a member of his work team, and that his employment has helped change other people’s mindsets.

Paul is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland Law School, athlete, and the 2022 Blind Australian of the Year.

Sam Drummond is a Discrimination Lawyer in Naarm (Melbourne). He explains how making reasonable adjustments for accessibility provides someone with the dignity of fulfilling work but also benefits organisations who are then seen as exemplary employers.

As a lawyer, Sam says employment has provided intellectual and social stimulation, built networks of friends and colleagues, and allowed him to start giving back to his community through volunteer roles with community legal organisations.
 

Apart from financial independence, Simon believes employment meant establishing networks inside and outside of work, which led to doing a whole lot of new things with a widened social circle that had initially started to shrink after his injury.

Simon is a mental health advocate, and a consultant at Simon Katterl Consulting. Simon has worked on important reforms in the sector, including at the Royal Commission, for the Victorian Government, in peer and mentoring work, and in human rights.

Simon was the 2011 Australian of the Year and has made significant contributions to Australia in the areas of business, philanthropy, social responsibility and sustainability.

Tim is a widely acclaimed comedian, screen writer, author, actor, comedy coach, advocate, and patron of MS Australia.

Trudi is a Physiotherapist and Arrowsmith Program teacher. Trudi worked as a physiotherapist in rural WA prior to her injury and has since worked in the tertiary sector and small business.