29 September 2025
In September 2025, our CEO Darryl Steff and Health Ambassador Alishia Lindsay travelled to Dubai for the Inclusion International Congress. In this blog, Darryl shares his reflections on the event.
Earlier this month, I attended the Inclusion International Congress in Dubai. The congress was a gathering of advocates, families and leaders from around the world, all working to advance the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disability.
Alishia Lindsay, one of DSA’s Health Ambassadors, joined me to present alongside colleagues from Down Syndrome International on health equity. We spoke about global and local challenges in healthcare and highlighted the work happening here in Australia. Alishia shared her experience of the Health Ambassador program, which sparked lots of interest from other countries wanting to set up something similar.
The program covered a wide range of issues, including employment, education, housing, rights, healthcare and more. I also chaired a panel on including people with complex support needs in advocacy. It was powerful to hear so many stories of self-advocacy from across the globe and to see the different approaches communities are taking. The passion and commitment were clear in every session.
The Congress was a great opportunity to share DSA’s work with an international audience, and equally to bring back new ideas and insights to strengthen our work here in Australia. It was encouraging to hear how highly our peers regard the work being done in Australia!
These global connections matter. They remind us we’re part of a bigger movement for systemic change – and they help make sure no one is left behind.
