Genetic Alliance Australia 2022 Forum
Professor Iva Strnadová, Dr Emma Palmer and Ms Skie Sarfaraz were honoured to be invited to speak at the Genetic Alliance Australia 2022 Forum at the NSW Parliament on September 20th. Genetic Alliance Australia's mission is to improve support for those impacted by genetic conditions. The event was launched by NSW Health Minister Hon Brad Hazzard, followed by a passionate speech by the parliamentary secretary to the NSW Minister Gabrielle Upton MP FAICD.
Iva states that "It was an absolute privilege to speak to a room full of academics, parliamentarians, health care professionals, advocacy leaders, and those living with and supporting those with genetic conditions."
The title of the forum was Genetics: Conversations, Insights and Changed Practice which aligned perfectly with the mission of the GeneEQUAL team to partner with people with intellectual disability and multiple stakeholders, including Genetic Alliance Australia, to better understand the enablers and barriers to respectful and inclusive genomic health care, and co-produce resources to improve clinical practice and improve outcomes for all with genetic conditions, including those with intellectual disability.
Professor Iva Strnadová and Dr Emma Palmer for UNSW were especially proud to be able to co-present with Ms Skie Sarfaraz from Self-Advocacy Sydney. Skie's lived experience of having intellectual disability was critical in conveying the importance of the innovative research being conducted by the GeneEQUAL team, and why inclusive research, co-led with people with intellectual disability, is the key to improving physical and mental health outcomes for this often neglected and vulnerable community.
NBPSA Conference
Professor Iva Strnadová, Adjunct Lecturer Julie Loblinzk, and Dr Emma Palmer were invited speakers at the 2022 Annual Conference of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia (NBPSA). The theme of the Annual Conference was A Successful Journey: Providing Paediatric Care in Developmental Disability for Best Personal Outcomes Across the Lifespan.
Professor Iva Strnadová, Adjunct Lecturer Julie Loblinzk, and Dr Emma Palmer presented their GeneEQUAL research program in a presentation titled I am not a number: Inclusive and respectful disability healthcare, which was received with excitement.
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