Meet the TEAM
Kevin Stone AM (he/him)
TEAM Creator / Lead Facilitator
An advocate, a teacher, a storyteller. Kevin Stone's staunch dedication to improving the opportunities and outcomes for people with disability has spanned 4 decades. That is 40 + years of fighting for inclusion and backing it up with the policy and frameworks to make it work.
Known to many in the disability sector as VALID's long-time CEO, Kevin established a firm reputation as an uncompromising advocate at the systemic level. His influence and unfettered approach synonymous with accountability and true allyship.
Identifying, supporting and fighting for the rights of people with intellectual disability on some of the country’s most confronting cases of abuse and neglect, Kevin practised and honed the method of individual advocacy. A manner of advocacy that centres the individual; fundamentally recognising and realising their basic human rights.
While perhaps best recognised through his strong systemic and public profile, it is Kevin’s legacy of self-advocates that’ll endure best. Through storytelling, connection and mutual trust Kevin has provided countless individuals with intellectual disability the toolkit and guidance to be empowered, to make choices, to live fulfilled lives.
This vision is actualised in the testimony of self-advocates at the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. It is heard in the voices of self-advocates speaking up for themselves and speaking out for the rights of their peers. This vision is evident on the faces of self-advocates actively participating in their community as equal and valued citizens.
This is the vision Kevin has worked for and this is the method that he has detailed in The Empowering Advocacy Manual. Weaving tales of his own life through the manual Kevin highlights the beauty in storytelling, the power in transparency and the importance of building trust as an advocate.
Recently retired from systemic and individual advocacy it’s now time for Kevin to support those with a shared vision, to practise and hone their skills in effective advocacy. Its time to teach.
As Creator and Key Facilitator of TEAM Kevin will share his knowledge and resources in systemic, individual and self-advocacy with workshops and training For NDIS Participants, For Advocates and Allies and For Groups.
Kevin's Professional Timeline
Brigitte Stone (she/her)
Communications and Events Manager / Facilitator
Red Carpet arrivals, Rock Star interviews and football change rooms - this is where you would once find our Communications & Events Manager Brigitte Stone. But following a couple of life altering events, a few “what the heck am I doing?” moments and one big epiphany Brigitte traded in, wrangling drunk musicians for wrangling her robust toddler, Oscar, writing about fashion and style for writing about intersectional feminism and systemic marginalisation and football commentary for empowering program facilitation.
As Kevin’s daughter, Brigitte was born into an environment where disability was normal. Siblings, friends, family – disabled lives were fundamental to her life. These were real, fleshed out people, with flaws and positives. Disability didn’t make them inspirational – it made them human, worthy of dignity and respect. Looking at the individual, forming a holistic picture of a person and providing supports as needed enforced the idea of accessibility, inclusion and that everyone has a story if you take the time to notice it.
The pursuit of those stories are what led Brigitte to journalism. A love for Creative Arts is what pushed her towards Music Journalism. Fresh out of La Trobe University in 2007 she began freelance writing, covering everything from Cate Blanchett to footy in Colac. By 2008 she was a feature writer at Forte Magazine, a local streetpress across regional Vic. By 2009 she was Editor.
Then in 2011 Brigitte was involved in a traumatic car accident. Weeks in hospital, months of intensive rehabilitation and a lifetime of recovery, Brigitte now lives with a spinal fusion, ongoing medical supports, chronic pain, a mild brain injury and PTSD. Leaving the magazine in 2012 was a massive blow to status and lifestyle. Jobs in publicity and industry gigs followed, but that world had lost its gloss. Systemic barriers for women with disability now became even more apparent.
In 2017 her world was rocked again. Losing a loved one, she found new purpose. Once a volunteer venture, the empowerment of women with disability and safeguarding their right to live free from violence and discrimination, became her total focus. Her occupational shift to social justice was soon affirmed with project work and strategic media and communication planning for several Women’s Health Services.
Brigitte joined Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) amid the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, where she began development and delivery of the organisation’s popular Enabling Women Leadership Program exclusively online.
Building on the foundations of TEAM, and incorporating her own lived experience as a woman with a disability, Brigitte brings her own unique perspective to the empowerment mission.
Meet TEAM Collaborators
Gerard Langridge (he/him)
TEAM - Guest Trainer
Gerard presenting at the Employment Forum after the Having a Say Conference 2018 with Kevin Stone
Gerard Langridge is a senior self advocate who has devoted his lifetime to exploring and creating inclusive opportunities within both the arts community and the general community.
When he left special school, many years ago, he rejected a life in disability services and looked for support to get a real job with real wages. He worked for many years with the Victorian Board of Works and for the past twenty years, until his retirement two years ago, he worked with Australia Post.
Gerard has much wisdom to offer about the challenges of overcoming discrimination and low expectations. He has been involved with various self advocacy and arts groups throughout his long career, and his strongest wish now is to help coach a new generation of self-determined leaders.
Heather Forsyth (she/her)
TEAM - Guest Trainer
For the past forty years, working with and for VALID and Inclusion Australia, Heather Forsyth has become one of the country’s most respected and admired self advocate leaders.
She has worked directly with Self Advocates at regional networks and as a board member of organisations such as AFDO and Inclusion Australia, she has represented Australians with intellectual disability at the highest levels.
On the world-wide stage, Heather has been a strong contributor to the Inclusion International global movement, having presented at conferences in places such as Acapulco (Mexico), Orlando (Florida, USA) and Birmingham (England).
She is one of two Australian women with intellectual disability who represent Australia on the Empower Us committee; Inclusion International’s programme to support self-advocacy leadership to grow.
Many will also recognise Heather as the unofficial face of the Having A Say Conference and from several high profile news stories over the years,
Heather's story is an important one. It's the story of a woman with intellectual disability wanting more from the life expected of her, wanting more for herself and wanting more for others with disability. It's a story of self advocacy and becoming a fierce advocate for others. It's a story about the barriers faced by disabled people and the barriers faced by women.
It's a story that needs to be told and TEAM look forward to passing Heather the microphone.
Uli Kaplan (he/him)
TEAM - Guest Trainer
Life is a Battlefield - Advocate and Public Speaker
Now a young man Uli has recently moved into his own flat, a big move for someone who was told independence would always be beyond him. Uli has found independence and a way to thrive whilst still being supported through his mental health challenges, chronic illness, and disability.
Having drawn from his lifetime of experience engaging with various disability services, Uli now works as a disability advocate, giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.
In 2021, after highlighting to the Royal Commission concerns around the vaccine rollout amongst those with a disability, Uli started working with the Victorian Government helping spread awareness and addressing concerns as their COVID-19 Vaccine Champion.
Surviving the decades in and out of hospital, he passionately shares his story and the story of others through his documentary and disability support and advocacy foundation, both called ‘Life is a Battlefield’. His unique perspective, humorous bluntness, and empathy for all those around him, equip him to communicate on the needs for those living with a disability, or mental health or chronic illness challenges.
TEAM are thrilled to have Uli on board as a valued collaborator.