ACEL 2017 National Disability Leadership Summit

The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) held the National Disability Leadership Summit on the 19th and 20th of June in Sydney. 300 educational leaders from Australia, and as far as Hong Kong, came together to explore the importance of providing leadership for students whose learning is impacted by a disability.

The keynotes, presenters and delegates at the 2017 ACEL National Disability Leadership Summit considered, engaged with, reflected on and discussed the current reforms; how to provide a strong foundation of high expectations for students with a disability; and better outcomes for children and their families through the three areas of focus:
• Curriculum and learning;
• Wellbeing; and
• Collaboration

The Summit provided leaders in education of students with a disability an opportunity to engage in research and practice at a national and international level. Keynote speakers from the US and Australia provided opportunities to explore and engage with innovations and ideas for students with a disability. A key theme evident throughout the Summit was the importance of collaboration between services, support and advocates to lifelong success for each student.

Kurt Fearnley, gold-medal winning Paralympian and Carolyn Campbell MacLean, Disability, Training and Communications Consultant provided delegates with an opportunity to engage with and understand the themes from their personally lived experience.

International leaders and key academics included Bree Jimenez, Susan Gabel, Christine Walther-Thomas, Natalie Silove and Michelle Villeneuve, sharing their developments and encouraging the application of these theories and knowledge to schools and systems.

System leaders, Mark Scott AO and Georgina Harrisson; Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner; and national education leaders from AITSL and ACARA, provided insights into current developments impacting on the day to day education and support for students at school.

Leaders at a school and system level provided delegates with an opportunity to engage with innovations and exceptional practices impacting the students and teachers at schools.

Aasha Murthy, CEO of ACEL, articulated a clear and personalised narrative for the day unpacking the strong messages contained in the conference theme and the passion and commitment evident over the 2 day ACEL 2017 National Disability Leadership Summit. She reiterated ACEL’s commitment to providing educational leaders with a wide range professional learning events and resources, with an increased focus on regional and remote centres.

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