The Imagine More podcast

In this episode, Margaret Ward shares five secrets of self-direction, starting with a reminder to families that if they're waiting for a service to do this work, it won't happen.

Self-direction requires families to hold what Margaret calls "family business" – the vision, the plan, the story, the relationships – and never hand it over.

Her five secrets cover the full arc: step up, include others across generations, accept that life is messy, embrace change, and stay joyful while doing serious work.

You can watch Margaret's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find:

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2024
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris Oates, a senior financial adviser at RSM Financial Services Australia. Chris has extensive experience providing financial advice to individuals and families at all stages of life.

Chris guides us through some of the financial decisions and strategies that can help families plan for the future with greater confidence. His presentation covers assets, superannuation, Wills, beneficiary nominations, investment options, insurance and income-producing strategies.

He also explains how financial planning can help families understand where they are now, where they want to go, and which strategies may help bridge the gap. For families thinking about the future support of children or dependants, Chris offers practical ways to consider how money, assets and planning structures can provide greater security over time.

You can watch Chris’s presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you’ll also find

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Stacey Bell, a Wills and Estates lawyer with a checklist for everything.

Stacey guides us through many of the legal documents, decisions and conversations that can help families plan for the future and safeguard the people they love. Her presentation covers Wills, Trusts, Enduring Powers of Attorney, legal capacity, advance care planning and the importance of putting your wishes in writing.

She also explains why estate planning is not only about what happens after we die. It is also about choosing the right people to make decisions, reducing uncertainty and creating a plan that can protect your family today, next week and in 20 years’ time.

You can watch Stacey’s presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you’ll also find

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

https://imaginemore.org.au/resources/safeguarding-the-future-conference/whats-the-plan/

In this episode, you’ll hear from Josey McMahon, an independent consultant, advocate and board member who provides advocacy and capacity building to people with disability and their families.

Josey shares the story of her twin sister Cathy, who is now an artist, friend, aunt and active member of her local community on the Gold Coast. Cathy’s life today is rich with relationships, creativity, familiar places and valued roles, but this was not always the case.

In her presentation, Josey reflects on Cathy’s many years living in an institution and the deliberate steps taken to support her into a different future. She explores what it means to safeguard the life of a person with disability, not only by preventing harm, but by building vision, relationships, valued roles, community connection and the right support.

You can watch Josey’s presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you’ll also find:

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Darcy Elks, an educator, consultant and human services evaluator who has spent more than 30 years working alongside people who are societally devalued to build full, meaningful and inclusive lives. Darcy also draws on her experience as the parent of three adult children, each of whom has a disability.

Darcy explores why creating a clear, shared vision for a good life is one of the most powerful ways families can safeguard the future. Her presentation covers the role of vision in guiding decisions, shaping opportunities, challenging limiting expectations and helping a person with disability move toward a rich and meaningful life.

She also explains why vision is not something we create once and then set aside. It grows and changes over time, and becomes stronger when it is written down, shared with trusted allies and grounded in the person’s gifts, relationships, hopes and valued roles.

You can watch Darcy’s presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you’ll also find

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this final episode of season two of the Imagine More Podcast, you’ll hear from Gus Reichelt and his father, Ronny. Gus works as a Research Technician at CSIRO and, more recently, as a Barber’s Assistant. 

Gus explains how he landed each of his part-time jobs, beginning with his role at CSIRO, which he secured straight after Year 12 thanks to a workplace connection that recognised his abilities. Because he worked in a professional environment and needed to look well-groomed, Gus began visiting Martinos, a well-respected barbershop located near his home. He quickly built a rapport with the owners and was subsequently offered a job. 

Ronny describes what led to Gus “being in the right place at the right time” to be offered the role at Martinos. This role has evolved over time under the guidance of two employers with high expectations and a keen eye for potential. Gus’s story demonstrates that life after school can be full of exciting employment opportunities for young people with disability, especially when they embrace a typical pathway in their local communities.

You can watch this presentation on our website.

The presentation transcription is also on our website.

On our website, you’ll find:

• all the presentations from our Opening Opportunities conference in 2023
• many other resources about helping a person with disability find meaningful employment
• events related to employment and other topics relevant to people with disabilities seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Michelle Wakeford, the founder of Ticket to Work, discusses the importance of creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people with intellectual disability and how families and schools can make this happen. She draws on her extensive experience as both a professional in systems change and a parent of a child with Down syndrome. 

Research has shown that the key indicators of post-school success for students with disability are work experience and paid work while still at school. Michelle described how both can be difficult for students with disability to access, especially with prevailing low expectations within schools and other government agencies.  Other barriers are the fragmentation of funding for employment support and a lack of collaboration between entities.

Michelle established Ticket to Work, an evidence-based pilot program to support young people with disability in exploring work during their high school years. Her current area of exploration is Transition to Work, a youth-specific, evidence-based employment support program designed to assist young people with disability in transitioning from school to further education and training and ultimately into work. 

You can watch this presentation on our website.

The presentation transcription is also on our website.

On our website, you’ll find:

• all the presentations from our Opening Opportunities conference in 2023
• many other resources about helping a person with disability find meaningful employment
• events related to employment and other topics relevant to people with disabilities seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

Throughout the Opening Opportunities conference, Milton has introduced several essential elements of Customised Employment. In this, his fourth and final presentation, you’ll learn how Milton used these elements and the exact steps he took to support a young man named Sam as he started work in an equestrian centre.  

Well before Sam started his first day, Milton used what he’d learned about Sam (Discovery) and the workplace (through the Employer Needs Benefits Analysis) to understand Sam’s new role and set the workplace up for success. This involved a training framework called the seven-phase sequence. The first four phases ensure the workplace’s natural workflows can support the new employee. The final three phases are applied if some additional support from the Job Supporter is necessary.

 As Milton walks you through the seven-phase sequence, you’ll notice that the Job Supporter’s role requires keen observation, trust-building, problem-solving, and effective communication. It’s an approach that ensures everyone - the employer, the employee, and the entire organisation - is aware of the Job Developer's role and responsibilities, ensuring no one ever has to ask, “Who are you?”

You can watch this presentation on our website.

The presentation transcription is also on our website.

On our website, you’ll find:

• all the presentations from our Opening Opportunities conference in 2023
• many other resources about helping a person with disability find meaningful employment
• events related to employment and other topics relevant to people with disabilities seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, we hear from Corinna Gilligan, a dedicated mother of three, as she shares the remarkable employment journey of her youngest son, Ryan. Since moving to Canberra several years ago, Ryan and his family have set high expectations for his capabilities and aspirations, defying the common deficit-based perceptions of disability and its impact on employment. 

Corinna discusses the vital importance of believing in the potential of young people with disability. Despite initial challenges with traditional employment services, Ryan and his family embarked on an exploration of customised employment, which ultimately led to the creation of two microenterprises under Ryan's stewardship. 

You’ll learn why the pursuit of meaningful employment has become a critical component of Ryan's vision for his life and career, and how this fosters his growth, financial security, and a sense of belonging within the community. Thanks to Corinna’s detailed explanations, this episode is a wonderful resource for families considering microenterprise as a viable and fulfilling employment option for their young family members with disability. 

You can watch this presentation on our website.

The presentation transcription is also on our website.

On our website, you’ll find:

• all the presentations from our Opening Opportunities conference in 2023
• many other resources about helping a person with disability find meaningful employment
• events related to employment and other topics relevant to people with disabilities seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Erosha Bakmiwewa discusses how she helped her daughter, Sethmi, develop a micro business based on Sethmi’s interests and ideal working environment. Erosha delves into the importance of Discovery, a process that helps identify Sethmi's strengths and motivations, and how Discovery was used in conjunction with Sethmi’s vision for her future. 

As a result of a meticulous and unhurried Discovery process, Sethmi and her family established a micro business, Serendib Treats, where Sethmi crafts delicious rice bliss balls that celebrate her Sri Lankan heritage. You can learn more about Sethmi and her business on her website.

Erosha strongly encourages other families to be curious about what interests and motivates their family members with disability. The process may well identify skills that will be valuable to a future employer or within a microenterprise designed around the individual.

You can watch this presentation on our website.

The presentation transcription is also on our website.

On our website, you’ll find:

• all the presentations from our Opening Opportunities conference in 2023
• many other resources about helping a person with disability find meaningful employment
• events related to employment and other topics relevant to people with disabilities seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.