An Image Speaks a 1000 Words: Unpicking the discourses of disability in everyday practice

Hamilton - Saturday 13 June 2026 - 10am-midday

This PLD workshop will address the dominant discourses of disability and what each might look like in practice. We explore the history of disability and how it has shaped our future while exposing some misconceptions about disability culture today. Finally, we will talk about ways to become change agents in our community using a rights-based approach

This professional development workshop is for anyone who has an interest in disability advocacy and or interested in inclusive practices. For those that want to talk about disability issues, but never sure of what language to use, fearful of offending others or generally have a curiosity or want to make a difference in the community in which they live. Kaiako from both Early Childhood and Primary Education would find the workshop helpful when thinking about who might enter their classroom be it Tamariki, whānau, grandparents or Kaiako themselves.

In this PLD event you will:

1. Develop an understanding of the language of disability and how attitudes can shape and position disabled communities.
2. Reflect on the dominant discourses of disability and what each can mean in practice for example: in a centre, school or in the community. Foster ways to become change agents in one’s community.

Presenter

Ashlie Brink, Lecturer | Kaiako, Te Rito Maioha

Ashlie is a lecturer in the Bachelor of Education programme which examines education through a social justice, bicultural and equitable lens for learners from birth-to-18- years-old. Her two passions are centred around Human Development and Disability and Inclusive practices across sectors and disciplines. She is based in Kirikiriroa and ‘walks her talk’ when it comes to advocating for people with disabilities, minority groups, marginalised and disenfranchised peoples from a rights-based perspective.

Ashlie has a Masters in Special Education and has been involved in early childhood, primary and tertiary education for approximately 20 years. While still in the initial stages of her Doctoral journey her research will explore how Women in academia with visible, physical, disabilities navigate their professional working lives in an ableist, neoliberal environment.