2022 Disability Support Sector Calendar

2022 is upon us — and although the start to the new year has thrown us yet another curveball here in Australia, there has never been a more relevant time for leadership and executive teams to share learnings, network with like-minded peers and connect with their teams and customers.

There’s a fresh supply of virtual, in-person and hybrid events to provide just that opportunity, so get your diaries ready and read on for a comprehensive list of training providers and events for the disability services sector and NDIS service providers.

These dates are in three categories; training and development, a calendar of events, and awareness days. Use the links below to jump straight to any section:

• Jump to Training and Development Workshops and Webinars
• Jump to Calendar of Australian Events, Expos and Conferences
• Jump to Disability and Accessibility Awareness Days

Please note: These lists were compiled in January 2022 and were accurate at the time of publishing. Please check the website links for further information on the events listed and to check for any recent updates in date or location.

Training and Development Workshops and Webinars for NDIS Providers in 2022

No one likes to start the year feeling stale, so now is a great time to look at the skill set of your teams and plan for training and development. Programs in the disability support sector are updated regularly throughout the year, so we recommend visiting and bookmarking the following sites:

National Disability Services 

The NDS provides regular events, training and conferences for the disability sector right across Australia. You can search the NDP calendar of events here — including member meetings, learning and development sessions, webinars and conferences. 

First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN)

First Peoples Disability Network Australia runs regular free webinars for service providers, with session times and recordings available on their website. 

DSC

DSC are a passionate and highly qualified team of NDIS experts (more than half with a lived experience of disability) who provide information and training to the disability services sector. Access a calendar of training events and webinars on the DSC website. 

National Disability Practitioners

NDP uses learning and development to empower and support the Australian disability workforce, equipping members with the information and tools they need to deliver the best services to people living with disability. Check out the NDP webinars, workshops and online resources at their learning hub. 

Disability Leadership Institute

The Disability Leadership Institute offers online leadership development and support for disability leaders, including coaching, training, networking, and a range of resources. View the Disability Leadership Institute website to see the training and events calendar.

GoodHuman

GoodHuman regularly surveys industry members and leadership professionals on how to best manage and provide services on the NDIS, releasing key insights and data at webinar events throughout the year. To stay in touch and be the first to know about these events, subscribe to our newsletter.

Calendar of Australian Events, Expos and Conferences for the Disability Support Industry in 2022

Expos are a great way for disability service organisations to promote your NDIS services and connect directly with participants, their families and their carers. There are also a number of fantastic conferences taking place in 2022, designed for leadership, professionals, and frontline workers within the disability support industry to connect with peers and build a better sector within Australia. 

Here is a list of upcoming expos and conferences in 2022 for Australian support services providers:

January 2022

Event: Disability Connection Expo 2022
Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Date: 18 to 19 January 2022

The Disability Connection Expo is for participants, carers and family members looking to better understand how to navigate the NDIS. It’s a great opportunity for support service providers to connect face to face with their customers. 

Not in Melbourne? 

• Sydney Disability Connection Expo will take place on 4 to 5 February.
• Brisbane Disability Connection Expo will take place on 4 to 5 March.
• Perth Disability Connection Expo will take place on 21 to 22 May.

Event: 22nd International Mental Health Conference
Location: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast
Date: 31 January to 2 February 2022

The International Mental Health Conference is designed for professionals, workers and volunteers to learn best practice, grow meaningful connections and implement real solutions to mental health care.

February 2022

Event: Australian Disability Service Conference and Awards
Location: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
Date: 17 February 2022

The Australian Disability Service Conference brings together practitioners, service providers and leaders working within the NDIS service delivery sector to collaborate and develop a world-class workforce within the industry.

Event: Ramping It Up! Home Modifications Conference
Location: Canberra and available virtually
Date: February 21 to 22 2022

Passionate about home modifications? This expo will give you the chance to network with peers and discuss promised reform in the disability support and aged care systems. It will focus on issues of concern and to lay out the blueprint for affecting change in government and improving policy and practice. 

Event: Having a Say Conference 2022
Location: Geelong, Victoria and available virtually
Date: 21 to 23 February 2022

This conference looks to empower people with a disability with the opportunity to ‘have a say’ about issues that affect their lives and to celebrate ability and achievement. A great opportunity for leaders in the industry to listen and learn from. 

March 2022 

Event: 2022 Frontline Mental Health Conference
Location: Sea World Resort Conference Centre, Gold Coast
Date: 14 to 15 March 2022

If the mental health of your team has been on your mind, this conference is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of first responders in leadership positions — so that you can actively promote positive mental health within your own organisation. 

Event: axe-con 2022
Location: Virtual event
Date: March 15 to 17 2022

You don’t need to be a tech nerd to appreciate this virtual event. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences. 

Event: Sydney Source Kids Disability Expo
Location: International Convention Centre, Sydney
Date: 26 to 27 March 2022

The 2020-21 Q1 report for the NDIS indicated that 48% of NDIS participants are currently under 18, making it a key demographic for the support sector. This expo focuses on children, youth and young adults living with a disability, giving service providers the opportunity to connect with families, guardians and carers. Not in Sydney? The Source Kids Disability Expo will also run in Melbourne on June 18 to 19, Brisbane on July 30 to 31, and Perth 15 to 16 October. 

The expo links for each state are:

• Sydney Source Kids expo
• Melbourne Source Kids expo
• Brisbane Source Kids expo
• Perth Source Kids expo

Event: 2022 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference
Location: Sea World Resort Conference Centre, Gold Coast
Date: 28 March to 30 March 2022

This conference is designed to provide practical skills, insight, and strategies for professionals assessing, treating, and providing ongoing mental health support for children, young people, and their families. 

May 2022

Event: Inclusion and Access to Information in our Changing World
Location: Virtual event
Date: 16 to 17 May 2022

This conference provides a forum for individuals and disability service providers on information access for people who cannot readily access standard print, such as individuals with vision impairment, learning disability and dyslexia.

Event: Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Conference in the Asia-Pacific
Location: Virtual event
Date: May 17, 19, 24 and 26, 2022

Not your standard tourism conference, this event is focused on those travelling with a disability including ways for businesses, policy makers and destination marketing organisations to cater for accessibility and inclusivity. 

June 2022

Event: Australian Network on Disability Annual Conference
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney and Virtual event (TBC)
Date: TBC

Connect with a strong network of business leaders, industry experts and influencers from the public, private, and for-purpose sectors who are passionate about issues related to the inclusion of people with disability. The 2021 event was held in June with the 2022 date to be announced soon. 

September 2022

Event: Alter State Disability Arts Festival
Location: Arts Centre, Melbourne
Date: TBA, September 2022

Alter State is a celebration of disability, creativity and culture, co-presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria. A major arts and disability event engaging artists and audiences across Australia and New Zealand, the digital launch took place in November 2021 with the inaugural event expected to take place in September-late 2022. 

October 2022

Event: Focus on Ability Film Festival
Date: TBC

This unique film festival asks film makers to ‘Focus on the Ability’ of people with a disability and tell a story on film for the world to view. 

November 2022

Event: Ability Fest 2022
Date: TBC

Ability Fest is the country’s first and only completely inclusive, fully accessible music festival. The 2021 event took place in late November, so stay tuned for a lineup announcement later in 2022. 

December 2022

Event: NDS CEO’s Meeting 2022
Date: TBC

The NDS CEO’S Meeting is for leadership teams within the disability services sector, where they release the annual NDS State of The Disability Sector Report. The 2021 event took place in December, so stay tuned for an announcement of the 2022 date later in the year.

2022 Disability and Accessibility Awareness Days

Whether your organisation is looking to plan a campaign or mark the day with a celebration, here is a list of awareness days in 2022 that highlight and champion the lives of people living with disability. 

World Braille Day
4 January 2022

International Epilepsy Day
14 February 2022

Rare Disease Day
28 February 2022

International Wheelchair Day
1 March 2022

Zero Discrimination Day
1 March 2022

World Hearing Day
3 March 2022

World Glaucoma Day
12 March 2022

World Down Syndrome Day
21 March 2022

World Health Day
7 April 2022

World Autism Awareness Day
02 April 2022

International Guide Dog Day
27 April 2022

Cystic Fibrosis Month
May 2022

Global Accessibility Awareness Day
19 May 2022

World Autoimmune Arthritis Day
20 May 2022

World MS Day
30 May 2022

Motor Neurone Disease Global Day
21 June 2022

Brain Injury Awareness Week
15 to 19 August 2022 (TBC)

Dementia Awareness Week
September 2022 (TBC)

World Alzheimer’s Day
21 September 2022

International Day of Sign Languages
23 September 2022

World Sight Day
13 October 2022

World Diabetes Day
14 November 2022

International Day of People with Disability
3 December 2022

Human Rights Day
10 December 2022

Free Resources for NDIS Service Providers

Now your calendar is full, we have some more ways to inspire and support your planning goals. Our free resources and 4-minute demo can show you how to scale your disability support organisation and focus on support (not paperwork) in 2022.