Friendships, relationships and intimacy for people with disability 

Open conversations about our rights in relationships

Relationships are important for everyone. They help us feel close to people. 

Everyone has the right to build relationships that feel safe, respectful, and meaningful. 

In this Open Dialogue, we will hear from people with disability about their experiences of relationships, including family, friends and romantic partners. 

We will talk about the good things, the hard things, and everything in between. 

Please be aware this online discussion will be recorded and uploaded on to YouTube, as part of the Open Dialogue series. 

Register today and be part of the conversation!

Event details

Date: Wednesday, March 25th 2026

Time:

• 1.00pm – 2.30pm (NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS)
• 12.30pm – 2.00pm (SA)
• 12.00pm – 1.30pm (QLD)
• 11.30am – 1.00pm (NT)
• 10.00am – 11.30am (WA)

March co-hosts and guest speakers

Co-hosts

Image description: black and white photo of Jax staring soulfully at the camera. He is a masculine appearing human with excellent facial hair and cute glasses. He is wearing a black shirt with watermelon print.

Jax Brown

Jax Brown (he/they) is an esteemed disability and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, writer and educator. His tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Jax runs his own business in LGBTIQA+ disability rights and inclusion where he provides sought after guest speaking, education, workshops and training for community members and allies. Jax uses his experience as a queer, transgender wheelchair user to explore intersectional identities. He views disability as a socio-political issue of intersectional equality, access and human rights.

Image description: The image shows Maddy looking at the camera and smiling. Maddy has shoulder length blonde hair, wearing a black t-shirt and white denim jacket. She is standing in front of green trees.

Madeleine Gay

Maddy (she/her) is a Policy and Research Officer. Maddy is passionate about creating policy and research centered on lived experience and strongly believes in ‘nothing about us, without us.’ With a background in International Development and Human rights, she brings an evidence-based approach to her work at CYDA. As a student with disability, Maddy draws on her lived experience to advocate for inclusive education.

Guest Speakers

Image description: Daniel is a blonde haired male wearing a blue and white checkered shirt. He is smiling brightly at the camera. Daniel is standing infront of a green bush and fence.

Daniel Johnston

Daniel is a man supported by Life Without barriers who has a wide circle of friends and enjoys a vibrant social life which includes regular activities such as disco nights, weekly bowling games and regular dinner catchups. He has a large friendship group and through his social activities has been able to form some close connections. Daniel takes pride in managing his relationships independently and thinks it’s important to make his own decisions about his relationships.

Daniel is embracing the nuances of love and friendship and is learning to appreciate the delicate balance of emotions, realising that his independence doesn’t mean going it alone. Instead, he knows he has a great network supporting him.

Image description: Isabella is a dark haired person wearing a black vest top. Isabella is smiling brightly at the camera with a gorgeous green park in the background.

Isabella Choate

Isabella Choate (they/them) is multi-award-winning Living Experience Advocate, passionate about community building and platforming the voices of young people with disability. Isabella founded WA’s first Disability Pride Festival after winning WA Young Person of the Year 2024, and at 25, became CEO of the Youth Disability Advocacy Network, finalist for Young Australian of the Year (WA) and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Isabella was a 2025 International Day of People with Disability Ambassador where they shared their love of disability community and culture.