Mr River Night, National Disability Sector Advocate and Developing Australian Communities
Leading National Disability Sector Advocate
Co-founder at Developing Australian Communities
Public Officer at the National Disability Leadership Organisation
Mr Night is an adult Living with Disability, a National Disability Sector Advocate, carer, father and outspoken supporter for reform and improvements in the Disability and NDIS sector with a 30+ year career working across Disability, Youth Justice, Guardianship, Child Safety, Education, TAFE, Aged Care, Forensics Disability and Mental Health sectors.
Mr River Night along with Mike Clark is one of the Cofounders of Developing Australian Communities, who deliver the largest Disability and NDIS related events in Australia’s history.
“Today advocates, adults, children, families, cares and Guardians recognise World Autism Awareness Day – 2 April 2024, and there is still much to be done to demonstrate real value for diversity and access”, said Mr Night.
“Through years of hearing our leaders talk the talk, delivering Royal Commissions and a NDIS review here in Australia, we must now move rapidly to get behind those that put those words into action.
“This year we see the United Nations Department of Global Communications, in close collaboration with the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION) delivering the virtual event ‘Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic individuals share regional perspectives on an international stage’.
“In 2023 I was honoured to meet with representatives of the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, who were the first Australian convention centre to develop an Accessible and Inclusive Events Guide for event organisers, as it aligned with one of the biggest Disability and NDIS related events NSW and Australia had ever seen, though the Sydney Disability Connection Expo, sponsored by Easy Healthcare held at the ICC.
“This week I was excited to discuss with ICC Sydney their next phase and ongoing commitment to the disability sector and our community as we prepare for the 2024 Sydney Disability Connection Expo, sponsored by Easy Healthcare. With hundreds of providers, advocates, services options, entertainment all day and activities it is the biggest NSW community event for the disability sector in 2024.
“At Developing Australian Communities we have been able to deliver Australia’s largest events for the Disability sector and I am thrilled by the ICC Sydney’s announcement today of its inaugural Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and their next phase coinciding with our massive event coming up May 24th – 25th this year.
The ICC Sydney today announced, New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Communities, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion, Liesl Tesch supported the development of ICC Sydney’s first Disability Inclusion Action Plan, saying:
“It is pleasing to see premier venues such as ICC Sydney placing a real focus on delivering fairer, safer and more inclusive spaces for the people that pass through its doors every year. It’s a positive step forward for the millions of people visiting ICC Sydney from across the state, right across Australia and beyond our borders.
“ICC Sydney’s commitment to inclusion is exemplary and it is gratifying to see they have a formal Disability Inclusion Action Plan in place to guide their world class practices. From accessible and inclusive event management services to logistics and exhibitor services, we commend the venue team for their outstanding contribution to the successful planning of Sydney Disability Connection Expo. We look forward to providing an unparalleled platform for visitors to engage with disability service providers at this exceptional venue,” Mr Night said.
“Locally I love to see organisations celebrate diversity and projects that show how it can be done, when events really value and commit to access beyond just the physical space. I urge all venues and event organisers to follow the lead of great venues like ICC Sydney.
You can find out more about the 2024 Sydney Disability Connection Expo, sponsored by Easy Healthcare here https://developingauscommunities.com.au/sydney-expo-2024/
