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Brisbane hosts landmark disability conference

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

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More than 1300 delegates from all over Australia are in Brisbane this week to attend an inaugural conference hosted by The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

New World Conference: Disability in the 21st Century is set to highlight what the future might look like for people with disability and how lives can be enhanced with assistive technology.

160 leading Australian and international experts will take to the podium to explore and discuss how innovative and effective technology will transform the lives of people with disability, their families and carers together with more than 100 cutting edge technology exhibitors.

From mind controlled wheel chairs and communication devices to human-like computers (avatars) created to make interacting with a computer more accessible, the conference is a “must visit” for anyone with disability, connected with the sector or just interested in the future of technology.

This ground breaking three day conference will be an Australian first, a dynamic exchange between people with disability, technology experts, entrepreneurs, policy makers and service providers.

One of the most exciting sessions is “Digital Dreams” which sees the start of a conversation between people with disability and tech developers with the aim of inspiring innovation to genuinely enhance lives and increase opportunities for people with disability.

Various people with various disabilities will present their ideas for technological innovation to a panel of tech experts and developers. Entries include a robotic arm for a wheelchair, a “dating style” app to better link people with disability to carers with suitable interests, age and personality and a Bluetooth lock for easier access to high school lockers.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe said the Centre was extremely proud to be the host venue for this landmark international conference and trade show organised by the NDIA.

“As with all conferences I hope this event will help with open discussion on important issues and provide an opportunity to impart knowledge and skills and help chart the way forward for those organisations and individuals involved.”

The Centre joined in the spirit of the conference, lighting the building purple and green to match the theming for the New World Conference: Disability in the 21st Century.

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