Who I met

Dr Annmaree Watharow has Usher syndrome and is the first deaf person to complete a medical degree at the University of Sydney. She undertook a PhD examining the hospital experiences of people with deafblindness and now works at the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney. She also recently completed a Masters of Creative Writing and writes essays and creative nonfiction about living with deafblindness-dual sensory impairment. 

Dr Moira Dunsmore is an early career researcher with transdisciplinary experience in nursing, public health, and health social science. Moira is developing national and international research collaborations in the emerging area of dual sensory impairment (DSI) in older adults.

Bernadette Curryer is a Research Officer at Side By Side Advocacy. She has had a long involvement in the disability sector, with a focus on intellectual disability. She recently completed a doctorate on self-determination of adults with intellectual disability, is affiliated with the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at Sydney University and sits on the Board of ASID.

Lara Draper is the General Manager for Adult and Senior Services at Deaf Aotearoa (not-for-profit national organisation, DPO) and based in Christchurch. She is Deaf and uses New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). She is passionate about Deaf issues and advocating for Deaf people’s rights. She manages Hauora and Employment services supporting the Deaf community including Deaf seniors and also lead on Adult Community Education (ACE).

Fleur Smith is a Senior Technical Advisor in disability and rehabilitation at the Nossal Institute for Global Health. She also has a background as a paediatric occupational therapist, working in both high and low income countries. Fleur has a particular interest in working to ensure children with disability or developmental delay and their families have the best possible outcomes and opportunity for inclusion and participation. 

Professor Jen Smith-Merry is Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellow and Professor of Health and Social Policy in the Sydney School of Health Sciences. She is Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy. Her work focuses on creating practical, research-informed policy and practice development in partnership with government and non-government organisations.

Pip Townsend is a Kairuruku Pāpāho Communications Coordinator at Disabled Person's Assembly. Her passion is accessible communications, particularly plain language, translations and alternate formats.

Dr. Kripke is Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine. She has special interests in primary care of transition age youth and adults with developmental disabilities. She directs the Office of Developmental Primary Care a program dedicated to improving outcomes for people with developmental disabilities across the lifespan with an emphasis on adolescents and adults.

Tom Callanan, a Co-Director of Enabling Good Lives, Christchurch. He brings lived experiences of disability and a strong belief in the Enabling Good Lives values and principles. 

Lizzie Castles is State Manager at National Disability Services in Tasmania, after five years working in policy and project roles in health and disability with the Victorian Government. She has a background in occupational therapy.