​As the aged care, disability and guardianship sectors undergo significant reform aimed at increasing client choice (Consumer Directed Care or CDC); one leading advocacy organization is this week, hosting an inaugural national conference that will bring together industry heavyweights to discuss the implications and opportunities.

The conference will evaluate human rights in the aged and disability sector with speakers from the Australian Law Reform Commission, the Aged Care Complaints Commission, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Government. The conference will offer a world-class program featuring aged care, disability and guardianship leaders. It has been designed to inspire participants to consider their role in empowering a client cohort who have been historically disempowered.

Organised by ADA (Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia), the conference is the first of its kind for both the organisation and Australia. Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADA Australia), formerly Queensland Aged and Disability Advocacy (QADA), is an independent, community-based advocacy and education service with more than 25 years' experience in supporting and improving the wellbeing of older people and people with disability.

ADA CEO Geoff Rowe said that ongoing aged care reforms and the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) meant the expectations of those requiring support and assistance would increase significantly, compounding the need for services to be engaged and responsive to the new norm of client control.

"Now, more than ever, it is crucial that aged care providers, community groups, advocates, legal entities, and disability support workers have access to world-class education and ongoing support," Mr Rowe said.

"ADA Australia is dedicated to educating people on their rights and responsibilities, so they are able to better advocate for themselves.

"This conference will challenge delegates to take notice of the opportunity before us and consider their role in increasing human rights and social justice in the aged care and disability sectors."

The conference is set to explore a range of pressing issues, including human rights and diversity, elder abuse, human rights in action, ageism, and choice and control in Indigenous communities.

Mr Rowe also announced a line-up of high-calibre speakers, including the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG, who will be participating in a live Q&A session on day one. ADA has also secured the Australian Law Reform Commissioner Professor Roslyn Croucher AM, who will be speaking about the Elder Abuse Inquiry, and the Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alastair McEwin, who will cover human rights in the disability space. The Honourable Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health will be addressing the conference on day two.

Offering a world-class program of aged care, disability and guardianship leaders, the conference will bring together CEO's and senior managers, professionals, policymakers, advocates, academics and researchers working in the areas of aged care, disability and community law across Australia.

The conference is on 23rd and 24th March 2017 at Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast. It is called "Human Rights and Social Justice, Shifting Client Control" and is set to be outstanding. 

For more information about the conference visit https://www.ivvy.com/event/KGMH9O/home.html.