Call for Submissions

The Changemakers 2025 Conference Committee warmly invites you to share your expertise including lived experiences, best practices in disability service delivery, and research.

Call for submissions for 45-minute workshops are now open, and close on 28 March 2025. Workshops are designed to share knowledge and build skills through practical examples and demonstrations, including interactive discussions.

Presenters with diverse experiences and perspectives are encouraged to submit to present a workshop addressing one or more of following topics:

·        Advocacy: Explore the rights of children and young people with disabilities across various sectors and systems, focusing on effective advocacy strategies that influence everyday life, and policy and government initiatives and drive systemic change.

·        Innovation: Highlight groundbreaking services and program innovations that enhance service delivery within the disability sector. Present best practices, emerging technologies, and creative solutions that improve outcomes for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

·        Lived experience involvement: Discuss the importance of including lived experiences in decision-making processes. Showcase successful models of involvement that ensure the voices of people with disabilities are heard and valued in shaping services, research, policies, and community initiatives.

·        Community partnerships and pathways: Examine the role of partnerships in creating inclusive pathways for children and young people with disabilities to engage fully with their communities. Share collaborative approaches that facilitate access to resources, support networks, and opportunities for meaningful community participation.

·        Practice settings: Focus on effective practices within specific frameworks such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), multidisciplinary teams, or transdisciplinary teams.

·        Implementation lessons: Share insights and experiences related to the practical implementation of programs, research and policies within the disability sector. Discuss challenges faced, strategies for overcoming barriers, and key takeaways that can inform future initiatives.

·        Training and education: Explore successful educational programs, resources, and training models that empower both professionals and children and young people with disabilities.

    • Call for workshop submissions open 11 December 2024

    • Call for workshop submissions close 28 March 2025

    • Notifications April 2025

    • Deadline for presenters to register 30 May 2025

  • If a written submission is inaccessible to you, please email Anna Urbanowicz [email protected] or call Anna on +61 3 9246 8945 to discuss an alternative submission format.

    Please ensure your submission meets these guidelines:

    • All written submissions must be made via the online submissions portal . Emailed and incomplete submissions will not be considered for review.

    • Written submissions should be no longer than 300 words.

    • Written submissions should be text only. No diagrams, illustrations, tables, or graphics.

    • Written submissions should adhere to Australian English spelling and grammar conventions e.g. Colourful lorikeets flew over the harbour in the centre of Melbourne.

    • When using abbreviations in the body of a written submission, spell out the full term at the first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Please ensure that all subsequent references use the established abbreviation. e.g. First mention: The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funds important health research projects in Australia. Subsequent references: NHMRC-funded studies have led to significant advancements in medical science.

    • To ensure a blind review process, avoid including any product names, affiliations/organisation names, or information that may identify you or your organisation in the body of submission.

    • Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline.

    • Submissions should contain new information not previously published or presented unless there is a substantial update of data. This ensures the conference remains a platform for fresh, innovative ideas and promotes the sharing of new knowledge.

    • All submissions must use anti-ableist and strengths-based language throughout. e.g. using neutral terms such as "typically developing" or “non-autistic” rather than "healthy" or “normal” ; “communication differences” instead of “communication deficits”. For more details see Recommendations for Avoiding Ableist Language.

    • Submissions will be non‐promotional in nature and without commercial bias. Submissions that are written in a manner that promotes a company, service, or product will not be considered.

    • All presenters of accepted submissions are required to register for Changemakers 2025. Fees are not reduced or waived for presenters.

    • It is expected that all research involving human participants or animals has been approved by the appropriate ethical review committee.

  • 1. Prepare your submission

    Review the submission topics and submission guidelines outlined above . Prepare your submission following the submission guidelines, using the template below as a guide.

    2. Apply to present

    Only submissions completed by 28 March 2025 will be reviewed and considered for inclusion into the program.

    3. Submission review

    Members of the Changemakers 2025 Conference Committee will review the submissions, blinded to the names of the authors and institutions affiliated with the submission. Workshops will be selected based on their quality, relevance and impact.