Conference newsletter - 22 September 2006
Something very exciting is happening
Facilitator and futurist Dr Sohail Inayatullah yesterday encouraged delegates to think about how they approached the theme for this year's Shared Visions conference: Next Steps.
"Look at the different possibilities and think about how we learn, how we can get the best of this," Sohail said.
"What are we here for? What are our goals?
"What is the 'inner map' of disability?
"We need to collectively and consciously create a shared understanding, perhaps a shared vision.
"The challenge: how do we create a path forward to go about becoming an inclusive community in a real world view?"
Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt earlier: set the tone for the conference.
"We need to work on ways to achieve our aims, so today's aims do become the gains of tomorrow," Mr Pitt said."
The Minister's comment built on upon a theme contributed to the Seed Pod at last year's inaugural conference.
"We're here to share ideas, to develop understanding and collaborate on strategies for improving the quality of life for Queenslanders with a disability," Mr Pitt said.
This is a working conference. The quality of the outcome will depend on the quality of input.
John Joseph, Director of Focus Education, continued the theme with his presentation Learning With the Brain in Mind.
He asked us to be aware of the emotional rooms in our brain: the red (impulse), orange (feelings and moods), green (logic) and blue (imagination) rooms.
"It's the blue room that is creative, tackles novel challenges and detects opportunities," John said
"It's a non-linear environment that reassembles existing ideas in different ways and is driven by possibilities."
John is a great believer in laughter.
"It's good for you," he said.
"It's what happens in you, not what happens to you, that's important."
"We need to look for the strengths and talents in people, not their weaknesses."
Disability Advisory Council chair Paul Larcombe said the conference was a chance to "take the reins and make things happen, not to just wait for things to happen".
Today's addresses by Paralympians Gerrard Gosens and Michael Milton and ABC broadcaster James O'Loghlin will continue the Next Steps journey
The voice of the people
Random comments and observations made by participants in yesterday's sessions."Acceptance for all."
"We are all people – treat us that way."
"Changing attitudes through a growing and learning community."
"People with a disability have an awareness that others do not have."
"We need to grow the knowledge we have."
"Everyone has the ability to create change by standing up for something they believe in."
"When you give something to somebody, you always gets heaps back."
"Focus on what can be done to make a difference."
"Attitude is outside in... and inside out."
"Take the good stuff with us when we move ahead or into different areas."
"Build tolerance and understanding between people."
"Try to harness the learning that's already occurred and build on it instead of starting from scratch."
"We want to be valued, to be part of society, to fit in; that's what it's all about."
"An education system that's a learning community, welcome to all; where children grow up learning that diversity is part of life, that it's not something we need to raise awareness about."
"Everyone should see each other as equal."
"Let's be more determined to get something done – take control of our lives, not let our lives control us."
And the panel session wrap up from Suhail:
From little things, big things grow.
Go underneath the water.
Have many legs.
Last updated June 2008
