Catherine McAlpine

parent, coach, advocate

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

I feel proud & privileged to be standing on the shoulders of giants at @inclusionoz - especially today. Our 70th anniversary is a good time to acknowledge the dedication of self-advocates and families who spoke (and continue to speak) up about their #HumanRights over many years.

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

Today we celebrate our 70th birthday! 🎉 70 years ago, a group of families of people with an intellectual disability came together to meet about inclusion and rights. This meeting went on for two days. Their dedication still inspires all of us at Inclusion Australia today.

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

So excited to be here in Brisbane with the IA team and my family.

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

We are at the 15th @WorldDSCongress in Brisbane today. There are over 1,000 delegates from 47 countries! If you are at the congress and want to come say hello and check out some of our great free resources, our stand is located on Level P, outside room P2. #WDSC2024

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

Really enjoying the SACID Leading Through Inclusion conference. Loving Gavin Burner’s commentary during the employment discussion. ‘Did you say people with #IntellectualDisability are being paid full wage?’ (Yes!) ‘Well we are in the 21st century!’ #LTI2024 #EqualPayEqualRespect

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

@inclusionoz @SACIDadvocacy This is Lorraine’s first work trip with Inclusion Australia. Well done!

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

Thank you to Minister for the NDIS, Hon @billshortenmp, Minister for Social Services, Hon @AmandaRishworth MP, and to Shadow Minister for the NDIS, Hon @MichaelSukkarMP for sending your birthday wishes! 🎉 Check out their messages below. https://t.co/06IkMT0JCh

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

Congratulations @_Nic_Lee on your richly deserved OAM. It’s been a privilege to work with you and watch you in action at those (very demanding) media conferences. Hope you take a moment to be proud of yourself.

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

I was listening to @abcsport when @glennmcgrath11 scored his 61. I remember the commentators cracking up because the scoreboard blasted ‘Congratulations Glenn McGrath for his highest score ever’ after every run for most of the innings (what was his 2nd highest score?) @7Sport

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

The Disability Royal Commission Final Report has 222 recommendations. We think everyone should be part of the conversation about what happens next, so we made an #EasyRead guide to some of the big recommendations in the report. #DisabilityRC https://t.co/Gdzq6mdlGh

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

Very proud of the @inclusionoz team for this thoughtful work. Well done Brooke & William. And huge thanks to @dameadvocate and @FPDNAus 🖤❤️💛#Yes23

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

Confused about the referendum? Brooke and William from our team met with Damian Griffis, CEO of @FPDNAus for a helpful and easy to understand chat about the referendum and #TheVoicetoParliament. You can watch their chat in full here. #HaveYourSay
https://t.co/hmQevgF3f3

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

Thanks so much for your support @cassandragoldie

[Cassandra Goldie🌈 @cassandragoldie]

Vital to listen to people with Down Syndrome and to back their call for rights to education, employment, inclusion. Just great to see PM in the front row on #WorldDownSyndromeDay (CM) @DownSyndromeAu #WithUsNotForUs @cathmcalpine @AmandaRishworth @billshortenmp @AlboMP

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

So excited to be back at the Having a Say conference after 3 years. It’s so exciting seeing everyone in person. But I can’t help thinking about people who aren’t here because it’s still not safe for everyone #HaS2023

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

All ready for action at the @VALID_Inc Having a Say Conference in Geelong. Come and say hello #HaS2023 #HavingASay

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

Are you a family member of someone with an intellectual disability in WA? Be part of an important conversation on employment at a free information session in Perth with our CEO on Monday 13 February 2023. For more details and to register see link below.
https://t.co/5TST2mYJ5L

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

This is very surprising as Commissioners have asked questions at all the other #DisabilityRC hearings. I always find these a very interesting part of each day.

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

We are disappointed to hear Commissioners will not be permitted (?) to ask questions during the #DisabilityRC hearing this week. This is a considerable gap as the Commissioners bring a range of diverse expertise and it’s important they can respond to evidence as it’s presented.

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

We will miss you so much @MaryEMallett! Thanks for all your support for advocacy for people with an intellectual disability during your years at @dana_advocacy. Meetings will not be the same without you. All the very best for the new challenge.

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

Huge congratulations to our longtime friend and colleague @MaryEMallett on your appointment as Interim Disability Commissioner for Tasmania. We are delighted for you but will miss working with you. You have done so much at @dana_advocacy for all Australians with disabilities. 👏

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

Thank you @maryjsayers for your wonderful leadership and collaborative approach. It’s been a pleasure backing each up in meetings these recent years. All the best in your new adventure!

[Mary Sayers @maryjsayers]

Some news from me, I have resigned from @CydaAu after three wonderful years working with talented & amazing staff, Board & members and disability community. I am excited about the next steps for me, watch this space ....See note from the Board

https://t.co/D38QIas1UQ

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

@Kavanagh_AM So sorry for your loss Anne. Hope you are OK.

[Catherine McAlpine @cathmcalpine]

@Kavanagh_AM Best wishes Anne. Look after yourself.

[Inclusion Australia @inclusionoz]

Chair asks Julie if she has thought about the steps needed to make mainstream education accessible for all. Suggest her testimony shows she has spent a significant amount of time doing more than thinking about these issues. #DisabilityRC

[People with Disability Australia (PWDA) @PWDAustralia]

Children with #disability and their families are on the front lines of this mess and have HAD TO spend significant amounts of time thinking about what goes wrong and how it could be fixed.

They are right there - just listen to them.
#DisabilityRC