The Imagine More podcast

Much has been learned through the years about open employment. There is much evidence that shows what works and what doesn’t work. When the well-established guiding principles of customised employment are applied, desirable results will likely follow.

In this presentation, we will look at how a local family applied these principles in the workplace.

Jack Kruger, a recent school leaver, will provide an overview of his work roles over the years. He’ll explain how these have led to him securing employment at Government House in Canberra.

Then Jan Kruger, Jack’s mum, and Julia Shumaker, Jack’s job mentor, will describe the process of developing Jack’s Government House job. They will explain

• how they worked with the employer to define Jack’s responsibilities
• the nature of Jack’s relationships with his co-workers, including their instructional roles
• adjustments that the employer made to help Jack learn and master his role, and
• lessons learned along the way.

Finally, Milton Tyree will connect Jack’s story with the customised employment principles that he described in his pre-conference webinar.

This session has been split into three parts. This is part two.

Milton, who is based in the US, has professional and personal experience over decades of helping people with disabilities have strong work roles. He uses the principles of SRV (Social Role Valorisation) as a foundation for his work.

Milton helps individuals and organisations include, involve, and appreciate people who are so often unknown, misunderstood, and rejected. He’ll share his insights about customised employment and how to get the job set up well right from the start.

In 2013, Milton received The Marc Gold Award for Employment. This award is presented annually to an individual who has significantly contributed to increasing access to community and integrated employment for people with significant disabilities.

Milton is a Project Associate for the University of Kentucky. He owns Milton Tyree Employment Consulting LLC.

• [email protected] 

Jack Kruger is a CrossFit member, bike rider, movie enthusiast, employee, Learner driver, friend, and happens to have Down syndrome.

Jack attended local schools along with his sisters, and as a result, he is well known in his community. He finished school in 2020 at Daramalan College in Canberra.

Jack started his working life at the age of 14 and held several jobs while still at school. Since leaving school, Jack has been crafting a meaningful week of work, study, sport and leisure time. He is currently working as an After-School Care Educator and as a Government House Household officer.

Julia Shumaker is in her early 20s, a good friend to many, and a vibrant member of her community. She has a keen interest in teaching and supporting people to thrive. Julia has been working alongside Jack Kruger in various roles over the last 4 ½ years. One of her most impactful roles has been as Jack’s job mentor.

Julia has been learning about customised employment through workshops and mentoring. Implementing this learning has resulted in some wonderful employment outcomes for Jack.

As well as working with Jack, Julia runs her own small business. She is a member of a local dance studio and enjoys being outside with nature.

Jan Kruger is the Executive Director of Imagine More. She has been a strong advocate for people to live valued and inclusive lives for many years.

In 2013, Jan co-founded Imagine More in the ACT to strengthen family leadership and advocacy for people with a disability. She advocates for people with disability to

• hold valued social roles
• develop meaningful relationships and
• live typical lives in their communities.

Jan’s son, Jack, has been her most valuable teacher. He’s helped her understand how to support people with disability to get the good things of life by following a typical life path. Jan’s ongoing study of Social Role Valorisation (SRV) taught her the importance of valued roles. She became aware that valued roles allow people to participate in and contribute to their community, and relationships can flourish. The SRV framework now guides Jan’s family and Imagine More. Jan has also invested in learning about customised employment. This knowledge was invaluable in preparing Jack for life after school.

Jan and her family continuously work towards building an ordinary, inclusive life for Jack. Over the years, the family have seen Jack flourish and become a valued member of his community.

• Jan can be contacted at Imagine More 

• Vision - Resources about Vision on the Imagine More website
• Circles of Support - Resource about circles of support on the Imagine More website
• Support - Resources on support on the Imagine More website
• NDIS Self-Management - Resources about self-managing NDIS on the Imagine More Website
• Employment - Resources about employment on the Imagine More website

Much has been learned through the years about open employment. There is much evidence that shows what works and what doesn’t work. When the well-established guiding principles of customised employment are applied, desirable results will likely follow.

In this presentation, we will look at how a local family applied these principles in the workplace.

Jack Kruger, a recent school leaver, will provide an overview of his work roles over the years. He’ll explain how these have led to him securing employment at Government House in Canberra.

Then Jan Kruger, Jack’s mum, and Julia Shumaker, Jack’s job mentor, will describe the process of developing Jack’s Government House job. They will explain

• how they worked with the employer to define Jack’s responsibilities
• the nature of Jack’s relationships with his co-workers, including their instructional roles
• adjustments that the employer made to help Jack learn and master his role, and
• lessons learned along the way.

Finally, Milton Tyree will connect Jack’s story with the customised employment principles that he described in his pre-conference webinar.

This session has been split into three parts. This is part one.

This session was introduced by Max Grinsell-Jones.

Hi, I am Max. I am here to introduce  Jack Kruger, Julia Shumaker, Jan Kruger and Milton Tyree. 

Jack Kruger is a recent school leaver. He works at Government House in Canberra. 

You have already met Jan Kruger. She is Jack’s mother. 

Julia Shumaker is Jack’s job coach. Julia has worked with Jack for five years.

Milton is from the USA. He helps people with disability to have strong, inclusive work roles.

Today Jack will tell us about his work roles. Julia and Jan will tell us how Jack found his job and how his workmates support him.

Our first speaker will be Jack Kruger. Over to you, Jack.

Milton, who is based in the US, has professional and personal experience over decades of helping people with disabilities have strong work roles. He uses the principles of SRV (Social Role Valorisation) as a foundation for his work.

Milton helps individuals and organisations include, involve, and appreciate people who are so often unknown, misunderstood, and rejected. He’ll share his insights about customised employment and how to get the job set up well right from the start.

In 2013, Milton received The Marc Gold Award for Employment. This award is presented annually to an individual who has significantly contributed to increasing access to community and integrated employment for people with significant disabilities.

Milton is a Project Associate for the University of Kentucky. He owns Milton Tyree Employment Consulting LLC.

• [email protected] 

Jack Kruger is a CrossFit member, bike rider, movie enthusiast, employee, Learner driver, friend, and happens to have Down syndrome.

Jack attended local schools along with his sisters, and as a result, he is well known in his community. He finished school in 2020 at Daramalan College in Canberra.

Jack started his working life at the age of 14 and held several jobs while still at school. Since leaving school, Jack has been crafting a meaningful week of work, study, sport and leisure time. He is currently working as an After-School Care Educator and as a Government House Household officer.

Julia Shumaker is in her early 20s, a good friend to many, and a vibrant member of her community. She has a keen interest in teaching and supporting people to thrive. Julia has been working alongside Jack Kruger in various roles over the last 4 ½ years. One of her most impactful roles has been as Jack’s job mentor.

Julia has been learning about customised employment through workshops and mentoring. Implementing this learning has resulted in some wonderful employment outcomes for Jack.

As well as working with Jack, Julia runs her own small business. She is a member of a local dance studio and enjoys being outside with nature.

Jan Kruger is the Executive Director of Imagine More. She has been a strong advocate for people to live valued and inclusive lives for many years.

In 2013, Jan co-founded Imagine More in the ACT to strengthen family leadership and advocacy for people with a disability. She advocates for people with disability to

• hold valued social roles
• develop meaningful relationships and
• live typical lives in their communities.

Jan’s son, Jack, has been her most valuable teacher. He’s helped her understand how to support people with disability to get the good things of life by following a typical life path. Jan’s ongoing study of Social Role Valorisation (SRV) taught her the importance of valued roles. She became aware that valued roles allow people to participate in and contribute to their community, and relationships can flourish. The SRV framework now guides Jan’s family and Imagine More. Jan has also invested in learning about customised employment. This knowledge was invaluable in preparing Jack for life after school.

Jan and her family continuously work towards building an ordinary, inclusive life for Jack. Over the years, the family have seen Jack flourish and become a valued member of his community.

• Jan can be contacted at Imagine More 

• Vision - Resources about Vision on the Imagine More website
• Circles of Support - Resource about circles of support on the Imagine More website
• Support - Resources on support on the Imagine More website
• NDIS Self-Management - Resources about self-managing NDIS on the Imagine More Website
• Employment - Resources about employment on the Imagine More website

Sometimes we are driven by fear to select options that seem safe. These might include special schools, group homes, day programs, even “special swimming classes”. Yet, ironically, safety has never come from segregated settings.

Being with valued people in valued places doing valued activities is what keeps people safe.

Having someone in your life committed to your wellbeing is what keeps people safe.

Paid services and grouping people based on disability can’t replicate or replace these critical elements.

In this session, John will provide a framework to help us overcome our fears. He’ll show us how to use our Vision to truly safeguard the lives of people with disability.

This session was introduced by Charlie Herbert.

Hi, I am Charlie. I am in year 11. I am a firefighter. I am (here to tell you about) John Armstrong. John lives in Melbourne. He is an SRV (Social Role Valorisation) trainer. He has helped (a lot of) people. John has been working (in this field) for more than 40 years. John is (really) good at explaining things. Everybody, here is John!

John Armstrong has worked with people and families of people with a disability for over 40 years. He has worked as a trainer and consultant across many settings with individuals, families and agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.

John is one of only two Senior Trainers of SRV (Social Role Valorisation) in Australia. He has presented on the topic of SRV in many international forums. More recently, he has written two chapters of the recently-published book: Aging and the Good Things of Life: The Application of Social Role Valorization to Supporting People as They Age.

• Vision - Resources about Vision on the Imagine More website
• Social Role Valorisation (SRV)
• Resources on SRV on the Imagine More website
• International Social Role Valorisation Association
• Australian SRV Association (ASRVA)
• John talks about 3 essential questions we all need clear answers to. This is drawn from: Stone, D., Patton, B., & Heen, S. (2010). Difficult conversations. Penguin.

Website: https://johnarmstrong.media/

Follow Tia and her team on their journey of discovering meaningful employment for Tia, driven by her interests.

Tia’s journey began with a desire to ensure her post-school life was not dominated by screens and solitude. She had an interest in fashion, design, and modelling. Her team explored this interest with her and tested creative methods of designing that didn’t involve sketching or drawing. As a result of this process, Tia has created her successful fashion label, Funk N Soul 97, and has become a runway model.

In this presentation, Tia walks us through every step of creating her Polynesian-inspired fashion ranges to show the unique ways she works.

You will learn about

• the support Tia received along the way
• how Tia’s business is structured to be sustainable, and
• how you can get started on your own Microenterprise journey.

This session was introduced by Laura Esplin

Hi, I am Laura Mary Esplin. I am a year 4 student, sister and gymnast. I am here to introduce Tia Semi, Gina Semi, and Samantha Powell. 

Tia is a fashion designer and a model. She lives in Western Australia. She owns a fashion business. 

Gina Semi is Tia’s mother. She helps young people with disability reach their work goals. 

Samantha Powell works for Valued Lives. She helped Tia to start her business. 

I hope you enjoy listening to Tia, Gina, and Samantha.

Tia Semi is the founder, owner and creative force behind Funk N’ Soul 97. She is a proud Polynesian-Australian woman with disabilities, living in Western Australia. Her vision is to create, push boundaries and inspire. Tia aims to make connections with people, teach people to see her abilities, accept her for who she is, and teach them to accept differences.

Tia designs and creates culturally inspired fashion ranges which have featured in local, interstate, and international runways. She also is a successful model. She has walked the runway in Australia and New Zealand.

Tia has been invited to participate in New York Fashion Week’s Flying Solo “Ones to Watch” event as a model and designer in 2022.

Gina is a hairdresser by trade and has owned her salon for seven years. She could see that there were no suitable employment options for her daughter, Tia. Local service providers did not offer the support Tia needed to reach her goals. So Gina started building connections with other like-minded parents and working with Tia to discover what work would look like for her.

When the Valued Lives Microenterprise Project was born, Gina worked there in a volunteer capacity. During this time, she started building Tia’s business and supported others to do the same. Gina now works as an Innovative Employment Advisor and helps people to fulfil their employment goals.

Samantha is a West Aussie with a lifetime of experience in disability. She has held volunteer roles and governance positions in the Not For Profit sector. She has qualifications in business, community services, advocacy and education support, including a Bachelors degree in Community Development. These have allowed her to put her unique perspective to use and to empower people with disability.

Samantha is values-driven and approaches everything she does with authenticity. Her work at Valued Lives allows her to follow her passion for creating more employment opportunities for people with disability. In doing so, she hopes to change attitudes around disability employment.

When not at work, Samantha is busy being a soccer Mum and cat lady.

• Funk N Soul 97’s Website
• Funk N Soul 97 on Facebook
• Funk N Soul 97 on Instagram

When their daughter Katie was born 35 years ago, Sue and Neil began to make plans for the future. Katie has lived in a home of her own for the past 14 years. She is well known by her neighbours and has tasked herself with many neighbourhood roles. The impact of autism has made it difficult for Katie to be understood at times. This hasn’t stopped the family from supporting Katie to live her best life in her home and make decisions for herself.

Now, with retirement on their minds, Sue and Neil are planning to move to a new town in the heart of New Zealand. Katie will be moving to her new home in the same town at the same time. This move will be the culmination of a long design phase and some powerful planning.

This is a story about a family with a strong vision, resilience, and creativity. It’s about what they did when funding was available and when it wasn’t. It’s about how they respect Katie’s ongoing independence and autonomy and how they recognise and help her make the most of her strengths. And it’s about the evolution of Katie’s support team over time, preparing for the time when Sue and Neil have “fallen off their perch.”

This session was introduced by Gus Reichelt

Hi, my name is Gus. I am here to introduce Sue Robert-son. Sue lives in New Zealand. She has worked with people with disability for over 30 years. Sue believes in inclusion and family leadership. Sue has a daughter named Katie.

Today Sue will tell us how Katie got her own home. Her presentation is called “Preparing for when we fall off our perch”. I hope you enjoy listening to Sue. 

Sue Robertson has more than 30 years of experience in the disability sector. She has dedicated her career to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and is a fearless champion for families. Sue has spoken internationally on inclusion, family leadership and family governance. She is a facilitator of PATH plans and bespoke personal planning.

Somewhere in this journey, Sue completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Diploma in Care Coordination to add to her teaching qualifications. She learns constantly from leaders and mentors with lived experiences of impairment, especially about the disabling impact of societal attitudes about disability. She is encouraged by stories from people who generously share their insights and wisdom.

Sue is currently is Change and Practice Manager with a large disability service provider in New Zealand. In this role, she co-designs and manages projects and initiatives that influence how current and future services are delivered.

Sue is a trustee for the Disability Trustee Ltd and an Advisor for Family Network. For nearly 20 years, Sue has been a Citizen Advocate for her friend Susan. Sue has previously worked for Imagine Better as the Family Strategy Manager in New Zealand. She was involved in the development of the NZ Autism Guidelines.

Sue lives in New Zealand with her husband Neil. They have three adult children. Katie, their middle child, has been in the first wave of social change since she was born in 1984. Katie lives a great life and has been a source of inspiration for all members of their family.

• Inclusive Education - Resources about inclusive education on the Imagine More website
• Vision - Resources about vision on the Imagine More website
• Inclusive Living Network Manifesto
• A Good Life - Resources about the Good Life on the Imagine More website 

In this presentation, Erosha shares the story of how she successfully got her daughter Sethmi out of an autism unit. Sethmi is now physically, socially, and academically included in another school.

Many professionals told Erosha that Sethmi wasn’t ‘ready’ to be fully included in a mainstream classroom. So the family moved Sethmi to a school that shared their belief that, with the opportunity of inclusion, they would see her potential.

Sethmi’s achievements demonstrate just how right the family was.

This session was introduced by Laura Esplin

Hello, my name is Laura Mary Esplin. I am a year 4 student, sister and gymnast. I am here to tell you about Erosha.

Erosha is a mother of three children. She works at Imagine More. She is also studying psychology. She is a great believer of Inclusive Education. Today she will talk about her daughter Sethmi and their inclusive education journey. 

Erosha is the mother of three children, Sethmi, Jayden and Keisha. She was a financial analyst before moving on to community services and enrolling for further studies in psychology. Currently, Erosha works at Imagine More as a facilitator, mainly in the Inclusive Education space.

Erosha’s priorities in life changed when her eldest was diagnosed with ASD as a toddler. Since then, Erosha has been an active advocate of inclusion. This advocacy has been instrumental in getting Sethmi enrolled in a mainstream school.

Among Erosha’s passions are many community initiatives, including

• fundraising for charities
• creating awareness of Inclusive Education
• and helping other families achieve good life outcomes for their family members.

Erosha is a dance enthusiast. She cooks amazing meals, moves mountains for friends and family, and really enjoys a good chat, with or without coffee.

• Vision - Resources about vision on the Imagine More website
• Darcy Elks - Darcy is an educator, consultant, human service evaluator, and advocate on behalf of people who are socially devalued.
• Inclusive Education - Resources about inclusive education on the Imagine More website
• Reading Mastery program - to find out more about this program please contact Erosha: [email protected]
• Amigos - A Bunch of Mates - Erosha Bakmiwewa created a friendship group called The Amigos around her daughter Sethmi, who is fully included in her primary school. She explains how difficult it was to first start a friendship circle because of the emotional involvement. But it’s been well worth the challenges, and the experience has been very rewarding for Sethmi.

• Erosha can be contacted at Imagine More

Societal attitudes have failed to acknowledge that people with a disability are sexual beings. They have the same rights to sexual expression, education, and health as people without a disability. Yet, people with disability have traditionally not had access to information about sexuality. Their differing needs for sexuality education has also been widely overlooked.

People with disability face many challenges regarding their sexuality and relationships. But, as Tim will show us, these challenges aren’t inherently due to their disability. The root of these challenges reveals a broader social lack of clarity and consistency about these topics.

In this presentation, Tim will share ways we can support people with disability in conversations about relationships and sexuality at home, at school and in the workplace. He’ll also explain how to access health information and education that is meaningful and relevant.

This session was introduced by Gus Reichelt

Hi, my name is Gus. I am here to introduce Tim Bavinton. He works with young people at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT. He helps people with disability learn about sexual health. 

Today he will talk to us about how relationships and sexuality is important to all of us. I hope you enjoy listening to Tim. 

Tim Bavinton is a youth worker, teacher and community educator, and manager by training. He is currently the Executive Director of Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT). Before this, Tim established Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) in the ACT under the auspice of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre.

Tim’s professional interests include

• youth health
• prevention of sexual violence and
• the role of education for personal and community empowerment.

Tim’s personal interests include history, languages, good food, wine and coffee, and being a dad.

• Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

People with sensory/movement differences and diversity may process the world around them in a manner that can result in behaviour that causes them trouble. In this conference session, Kate McGinnity and Anna Nikolay share their experiences of understanding and supporting individuals with sensory and movement differences. Their focus for every individual is on finding the root cause of their behaviours.

Kate and Anna will

• explain different types of sensory processing
• describe how the method of processing may provide clues about the function of the behaviour
• explain how we can better support an individual’s processing so they may live their best lives.

When people see unusual behaviours, they tend to make assumptions that may be unhelpful. So Kate and Anna will share a framework for thinking about behaviour from a processing perspective. You’ll see examples and hear descriptions of how to

• support the processing
• support new behaviour
• support bigger lives.

This session was introduced by Sethmi Lekamarachchi

Hello, my name is Sethmi. I am a high schooler, sister and a dancer. I am here to tell you about Kate McGinnity and Anna Nikolay. They both live in the USA. They help people with Autism to enjoy the good life.

Today they will tell us why some people behave differently. Sharon Hammer and Lisa Ladson work with Kate and Anna. They will join us later for the Q&A.

Please welcome Kate, Anna, Sharon, and Lisa.

Kate is an international presenter and author as well as a nationally recognised consultant/coach and teacher in the field of autism. She has over 35 years of experience working with individuals with autism and their families.

During her tenure as a teacher, Kate was recognised as the National Teacher of the Year by the Autism Society of America. She is currently involved in private practice providing training and consultation/coaching to professionals and parents. She also provides counselling and yoga to individuals on the autism spectrum. Kate has taught graduate-level autism-related courses, through a variety of universities.

Kate is the co-author of three books. She is committed to bringing her passion and compassion to every aspect of her work and life.

Anna Nikolay is a special education teacher and Autism consultant in Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. She has taught special education in Wisconsin since then.

Anna was selected early in her career to be a member of an esteemed group of colleagues on a district-wide autism support team. After one year, Anna began co-leading the team.

Anna develops and presents trainings for staff and families on a variety of autism and other special education-related topics. She is known for her ability to collaborate with individuals and students who cross her path.

In 2019 Anna started her Autism consulting business Nikolay Consulting, LLC. Through Nikolay Consulting, she helps support and amplify the voices of individuals with Autism. In 2020, Anna started in the Education Policy and K-12 Leadership Masters program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

• Autism Processing video - A basic visual and description of how the retrieval, processing, and storage of the autistic neurology functions.
• Lights! Camera! Autism! 2 by Kate McGinnity, Sharon Hammer and Lisa Ladson (2013) - This book addresses the “how” around using ‘video modelling’ to assist people with Autism with learning. Available from CRU

In this practical, interactive session, Janet Klees will zero in on some essential elements and strategies that ensure that you and your team are on their way to making a lasting and positive difference in the lifestyle and experience of your family member.

Together, we will:

• Discover which elements to focus on to make the most significant difference in a good life in community with your family member
• Zero in on the different perspectives of every team member – the person, family, support – and why this matters
• Define “good support” – what does it look like, feel like, sound like when it happens, and what gets in the way
• Learn how to orient new staff to the position of being a bridge to community
• Explore the concept of being a bridge:
• how your presence can impact belonging
• what “fading” can look like, and
• the inherent but essential tensions to master
• Learn how to harness resilience
• Discover the power of thinking in metaphor

This session has been split into three parts. This is part two.

Janet Klees is the Executive Director of the Durham Association for Family Resources and Support, a family-centred, SRV-anchored resource and support centre for families interested in building good, ordinary lives in community for and with their family members with disability.

Janet has spoken many times at our events over the years. She is a popular presenter because of her ability to communicate the nuances of supporting people with disability to enjoy the good things of life.

• Social Role Valorisation (SRV)
• Resources about SRV on the Imagine More website
• International Social Role Valorisation Association
• Australian SRV Association (ASRVA)
• Vision - Resources about vision on the Imagine More website
• The Good Things in Life - Resources about A Good Life on the Imagine More website
• We come bearing gifts: The story of the Deohaeko Support Network (1996) by Janet Klees - available from CRU
• Our Presence Has Roots: The ongoing story of the Deohaeko Support Network (2005) by Janet Klees - available from CRU

In this practical, interactive session, Janet Klees will zero in on some essential elements and strategies that ensure that you and your team are on their way to making a lasting and positive difference in the lifestyle and experience of your family member.

Together, we will:

• Discover which elements to focus on to make the most significant difference in a good life in community with your family member
• Zero in on the different perspectives of every team member – the person, family, support – and why this matters
• Define “good support” – what does it look like, feel like, sound like when it happens, and what gets in the way
• Learn how to orient new staff to the position of being a bridge to community
• Explore the concept of being a bridge:
• how your presence can impact belonging
• what “fading” can look like, and
• the inherent but essential tensions to master
• Learn how to harness resilience
• Discover the power of thinking in metaphor

This session has been split into three parts. This is part two.

Janet Klees is the Executive Director of the Durham Association for Family Resources and Support, a family-centred, SRV-anchored resource and support centre for families interested in building good, ordinary lives in community for and with their family members with disability.

Janet has spoken many times at our events over the years. She is a popular presenter because of her ability to communicate the nuances of supporting people with disability to enjoy the good things of life.

• Social Role Valorisation (SRV)
• Resources about SRV on the Imagine More website
• International Social Role Valorisation Association
• Australian SRV Association (ASRVA)
• Vision - Resources about vision on the Imagine More website
• The Good Things in Life - Resources about A Good Life on the Imagine More website
• We come bearing gifts: The story of the Deohaeko Support Network (1996) by Janet Klees - available from CRU
• Our Presence Has Roots: The ongoing story of the Deohaeko Support Network (2005) by Janet Klees - available from CRU