2024 Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference

Our fourth New Zealand Disability Employers’ Network (NZDEN)opens in a new tab ‘Disability Inclusive Pathways’ Conference, was held in Rotorua on 6th-7th August. Attendees were presented with an exceptional opportunity to gain insights from a strong line-up of speakers and panellists including international guest Susan Scott-Parker OBE from the UK.

It was once again a great chance to establish connections with other organisations dedicated to advancing disabled and neurodivergent career paths and outcomes, and fostering a truly disability confident and inclusive Aotearoa.

This year's conference theme, "Orchestrating a disability inclusive workplace culture" discussed coordinating the elements of workplace cultures to facilitate the inclusion of disability and neurodiversity. Together we explored the purpose of disability and neurodiversity inclusion, the opportunities that disability inclusion provides, and the success that it brings to the organisation, the disabled community, and the individual.

Visit the conference website to view more highlights

Speakers and Convenors

(Links open in new window)

Panellists and Convenors

Promotional graphic for the New Zealand Disability Employers' Network (NZDEN) 2024 Disability Inclusive Pathways pre-conference masterclass event. The event is titled 'Persuading Disbelievers: How to build allies in your senior leaders' and features international guest Susan Scott-Parker OBE. The event takes place on 5 August in Rotorua, New Zealand. A photo of Susan Scott-Parker, a woman with short curly hair wearing a bright pink jacket, is framed in a teal circle. The graphic has a gradient background transitioning from dark pink to purple to blue, with white and dark blue text. The website 'www.dipc.nz' is displayed at the bottom.
Four people standing in front of a purple banner that has the NZDEN logo and Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference in white on it. They are Phil Turner, Susan Scott-Parker, Julie Woods and Sandra Budd.
A panel of five people on stage at the Disability Inclusive Pathways. The people are from left to right Zach Edwards, Tamara Grant, Dr Carina Meares, Zoe Lyon-Gifford and Chelsea Pita. Chelsea is on the right, and is speaking into a microphone to the audience seated in her wheelchair.
Panel discussion on Disability Workplace Research, led by Workforce Development Councils.
Prudence Walker on stage speaking to an attentive audience. She has bright magenta coloured hair that is shoulder length and fair skin-tone. She is wearing an olive coloured jacket over a white top and dark coloured pants. She is seated on her mobility scooter. Behind her the video screen displays a slide that introduces her as keynote speaker, with the title of the presentation being The Value of Equitable Access to Employment.
Prudence Walker, Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner, on stage presenting on 'The Value of Equitable Access to Employment'
A panel of four people sitting on red sofas on stage at the Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference. They are Sandra Budd, panel convenor, Neve Fern-Billing, Meg Lyster and Sean Prenter from the National Disabled Students Association. Sean is speaking into a microphone.
National Disabled Students Panel discussion around Transitioning to Employment.

See more highlights from past conferences