Panelist profiles

Panel Discussion: Access and Inclusion

 

Host: James Czencz

James is a physiotherapist and early career researcher, with a passion for improving social inclusion and community engagement for adults living with a disability.

Panelists:

Jo Beard

South Central Ward Councillor Jo Beard was first elected to Corangamite Shire Council in 2011 (by-election) and re-elected in 2012, 2016 and 2020. She has served three terms as Mayor (2016, 2017, 2018). Jo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2017. 

Emma Olivier

Emma is the founder and CEO of Twenty Percent, an advisory service that specialises in providing high-quality services to help organisations unleash the power of the 20% of Australians who have a disability. With over 30 years of consulting experience and having been born without a left hand, Emma understands from her own lived experience the challenges and opportunities of having a disability in corporate Australia. 

Patrick Caruana

Patrick is Corangamite Shire's Rural Access Officer, responsible for delivering actions from the Disability Inclusion Plan 2020-2025.

Sara Wakeling

Sara is a single mum to Monty who was diagnosed with ASD Level 2, and an intellectual / language impairment in 2021 when he was three years old. Sara and Monty have been on a journey with the NDIS since.