Thanks to the generosity of our donor community and developed with funding support from the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission Grants Program, Endeavour Foundation hosted our very first self-advocacy conference in November 2025 — a three-day gathering designed to empower people with disability to use their voice, build confidence, and shape the future they want to see.
With the theme Voice. Connection. Power., the conference brought together 19 passionate self-advocates from across the eastern states. Eleven attendees travelled from outside South East Queensland — including participants from Melbourne, Sydney, the Whitsundays and Mackay.
The conference was facilitated by Paige from Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), alongside co-facilitator Ellie — a self-advocate and proud QDN member. Together, they guided participants through what it means to have “agency over yourself”: the ability and power to make your own choices, speak up, and take control of your life.
Activities focused on practical skill-building, connection and confidence. Breakout sessions explored key issues affecting people with disability, from intersectional discrimination to the need for clear, accessible communication in everyday services. Attendees spoke openly about their experiences, including bullying, and about their desire to stand with and advocate for others who face similar challenges.
Participants also worked together to identify the issues they want organisations like ours to prioritise, helping shape future advocacy efforts. They spoke about strength in community, the importance of standing together, and the power of having, and hearing, different opinions.
“Advocacy means, to me, people having a voice, people having a say on what they believe is right,” said participant Chloe.
“We need advocacy in our hometowns everywhere, no matter where we are,” said Peta.
“I would also like to consider it’s important for others to speak up too,” said Sean. “Considering one person, that gets washed away, but in a group of people, it can really stand strong like a mountain against the wind.”
The Self Advocacy Conference was made possible thanks to our supporters who donated to the 2025 Tax Appeal.
By supporting the Tax Appeal, you created a space where emerging advocates could learn, grow, and take meaningful steps toward influencing the systems and decisions that shape their lives. You helped people with disability build practical self-advocacy skills, gain confidence, and discover their power.
And they want more. More opportunities to come together. More regional gatherings. More chances to build a fairer community for everyone.
Thanks to you, this first conference was a beginning — and a powerful one. Together, we’re helping people with disability lead, speak up, and drive change!
