Agenda

Ben Gauntlett commenced his term as Disability Discrimination Commissioner on May 7, 2019. Ben is a quadriplegic following a schoolboy rugby union accident aged 16 in Perth, Western Australia.

Prior to commencing as Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Ben worked as a barrister in Western Australia and Victoria with a broad ranging practice.

He also holds a Master of Laws from New York University and a D.Phil. in Law from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

Ben leads IncludeAbility, a national project which aims to increase access to meaningful employment opportunities for people with a disability.

Trudi is a qualified Physiotherapist and University Lecturer. She has a spinal cord injury with a classification of disability as C6 tetraplegia/quadriplegia – a result of being a passenger in a motor vehicle accident.

Employment has made Trudi feel ‘normal’ and provided her with the opportunity to contribute. No one at work treats Trudi differently. She is expected to reach the same standards as every other employee and wouldn’t have it any other way. She is grateful for offers of cups of tea though!

With over 15 years’ experience working across culture, engagement and inclusion at Australia Post Sharon has been leading the organisation’s strategic approach to improving access and inclusion for employees, customers and the community through the delivery of the organisation's Accessibility and Inclusion Plans since 2017.   

In 2019 Sharon established Accessibility Matters, Australia Post's employee network representing people with disability and carers.  This group provides invaluable advice and insights on the employee experience, products, services and community activities aimed at improving access and inclusion for everyone.  

Sharon is passionate about driving greater accessibility and inclusion for employees, customers and the broader community.

Manny is the Security Director in the Specialist team at Microsoft Australia. He has a passion for the potential of technology to assist every single person to achieve their dreams.  

Manny proudly serves as the Co-Chair of the Accessibility Council for Microsoft Australia and represents Microsoft externally with their partnerships with other likeminded organisations.

Steven is experienced in public policy, innovation and engagement and holds a Bachelor of Science (conservation and biology), Bachelor of Law (hons) from the Australian National University and a Masters in Entrepreneurship.

Steven specialises in applying innovation and digital techniques to support implementation of communication and engagement strategy.

Paul is an Associate Professor at the TC Beirne School of Law, the University of Queensland. He is the chair of the University of Queensland Disability Inclusion Group, affiliated with the Harvard Law School Project on Disability, a lawyer, director, former Paralympian, and disability rights advocate. 

Paul was awarded the 2022 Blind Australian of the Year.

Paul lost his eyesight in a train accident at the age of 14. Once he realized how society viewed him as disabled and discounted his potential, he knew that he would have to work exceptionally hard to succeed in life. By finding ways to serve others, Paul has created opportunities to advance his career.

Paul’s leadership role in higher education and the sector has enabled him to influence strategic approaches to disability inclusion and helped create frameworks where diversity inclusion includes disability and where ability equality becomes the norm and not the exception.