Equal education for teens and young adults with disability

Navigating high school, TAFE and university as a disabled young person.

Going to high school, university or TAFE can be exciting, but also pretty nerve-racking! New places. New people. New systems to figure out.

For young people with disability, these challenges can be even harder. 

Research shows that disabled students often struggle more at school, because education systems are often not designed with accessibility in mind.

Everyone has the right to education, and to be safe and supported at school. 

In this Open Dialogue, our guest speakers will talk about what it’s really like for young people with disability as they finish high school and navigate further study, training, and career opportunities.

We’ll discuss the barriers that exist, and highlight the creative ways young people with disability are breaking through them and finding ways to succeed at high school, TAFE and university.

Join us for this Open Dialogue event as we explore all this and more – register now. 

Event details

Date: Wednesday, February 25th 2026

Time:

• 1.00pm – 2:30pm AEDT (NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS)
• 12:30pm – 2:00pm (SA)
• 12.00pm – 1:30 (QLD)
• 11.30am – 1:00pm (NT)
• 10:00am – 11:30am (WA)

Hosts

Sophie Geeves

Sophie Geeves is a disability advocate and lived experience leader who works to strengthen the rights and representation of people with disability. She is a Policy Consultant with Inclusion Australia, where she contributes to policy analysis, research, and submissions across key social policy areas. Sophie is also an Impact Facilitator with EY, delivering workshops that support disability inclusion in schools. She is a lived experience representative with both Cerebral Palsy Australia and Cerebral Palsy Alliance, contributing to initiatives such as the CPActive Steering Committee, Blaze the Trail, the Krazy Kosci Climb, and STEPtember.

Kiz Blanca-Jackson

Kiz Blanca‑Jackson is a community organiser and disability rights advocate who works to remove barriers and improve access for people with disability. They have experience in campaigns, community organising, and government relations, with a strong focus on disability inclusion in workplaces and education. Kiz holds degrees in Communications and International Studies and is currently studying a Diploma of Auslan. They are part of the Disability Leadership Program and serve on the boards of the Disability Resource Centre and the Darebin Disability Advisory Committee.

Speakers

Madeleine Gay

Maddy (she/her) 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.

Brooke Canham

Brooke is an experienced self-advocate with over 5 years’ experience working in the disability sector, currently as a Policy Officer with Inclusion Australia. She has worked on national projects and policy reform on a wide range of topics, including supported decision-making, employment and social security rights, and health advocacy. She lives and works on Whadjuk Noongar Country in Western Australia. 

Ryan Rowland

My name is Ryan Rowland and I am passionate about the arts and music. I enjoy visual arts by painting and attending art galleries when I can. I have fortnightly jam sessions with a friend where I play electric guitar, I also do guitar and singing lessons which I really enjoy. For work I do packaging which I recently received an award for my 25 years of service.

I graduated from the Up The Hill project in 2025, the Up the Hill project supports people with intellectual disabilities to go to University. It was a positive experience as I was able to gain new skills, grow my confidence in the art field as well as having the opportunity to make new friends