DSI Seminar – Human potential for digital sciences

DSI Seminar Series – This session will be organised as a mini panel discussion

Presented by Prof. Alistair McEwan, Prof. Jen Smith-Merry, A/Prof. Shane Clifton and Dalal Baumgartner

We are missing out on at least 20% of human potential by not including people with disabilities in our workplaces and in our digital algorithms. Innovations like accessible keyboards, phones, closed captions and the Internet are useful for balancing out some of the barriers to participation for people with disability, but unemployment remains high and support budgets are overtaking those of health, aged care and defence.

Our panel will discuss the disability and care policy and economy of Australia, our region and the world. We will introduce solutions through true user led co-design, communication and cognitive assistive technologies and the vital role of digital sciences

Alistair McEwan is Professor and Chair of Engineering and Cerebral Palsy works on Gadigal country and is passionate about growing and strengthening capacity in technology for disability research.  As an expert in rehabilitation engineering they are first Australian to be recognised with a Microsoft Future Fellowship for developing electronic devices to detect heart attack and stroke early. With teams in engineering and health, Professor McEwan is developing cognitive assessments for people with cerebral palsy and investigating improved methods of mobility and communication using bionics, robotics and artificial intelligence to help people with cerebral palsy stay better connected to their communities.

Jen Smith-Merry is Professor of Health and Social Policy and Australian Research Council Industry Laureate Fellow (2024-2029) in the University of Sydney School of Health Sciences. Jen is Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, a multi-disciplinary centre whose mission is to make life better for people with disability by translating research to policy and practice. Her research focuses on disability and mental health policy, particularly in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. She also has a strong interest in disability policy and practice in South-East Asia. Jen works closely with people with lived experience of disability and has a strong interest in critical theoretical approaches to policy analysis.

Dalal Baumgartner is the Founding Director of SATB2 Connect, a national patient organisation dedicated to supporting families and their loved ones diagnosed with the ultra-rare genetic condition, SATB2 Associated Syndrome. With a Bachelor of Management in Construction and a Master in Education, Dalal brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to her work; project management coupled with a deep commitment to education and advocacy. She is currently furthering her expertise by pursuing a Family Engagement in Research certificate from McMaster University, delivered by Healthy Trajectories.

Dalal’s leadership at SATB2 Connect is marked by a proactive approach to identifying and addressing the unmet needs of the SATB2 community. She emphasises the importance of collaboration, working closely with universities and global SATB2 organisations. Her efforts are focused on empowering people living with chronic complex conditions and rare diseases and providing the support necessary to enhance quality of life.

Moderator

Shane Clifton is an Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Health Sciences and deputy director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney. He is also president of the board of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and a member of the board of directors of The Disability Trust. His research focuses on the well-being, inclusion and leadership of people with disability. He lives with a spinal cord injury (quadriplegia).