The Co-Chairs of the International Day of People with Disability in the ACT Advocacy for Inclusion and Women with Disabilities ACT have unveiled the first ever non-government steering committee which will help oversight and plan events for the UN International Day of people with Disability (IDAY) in the ACT following its move to community control. The Steering Committee includes powerful disabled voices from the arts, advocacy, youth, CALD and LGBTIQA+ communities. Additional members will be co-opted in the new year to bolster representation across the disability community including members with intellectual and cognitive disability.
Community members of the 2024 IDAY Steering Committee
Liz Lea
Liz Lea is an award-winning artist and was 2017 ACT Artist of the Year. Liz has 30 years’ experience as a nationally and internationally recognised dance artist, choreographer and producer. Liz has been commissioned in India, UK, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Kuwait and USA and has extensive national and international experience in the community and inclusive dance field, having directed many inclusive dance works across Europe, Asia and Australia including 15 I-Day events across the past 15 years.
Liz brings this extensive experience to the Steering Committee alongside her lived experience of disability together with national and international connections in the arts and disability awareness. Liz also works as an Audio Describer. And is a keen believer in the power of the Canberra community and the power of community engaged arts.
Louise Bannister
Lou has two and half decades of experience as a disability advocate and consumer representative in the ACT, and a lifetime of lived experience as
a person with a disability. Lou is passionate about changing attitudes and assumptions to create a fully inclusive community through leadership,
mentoring, education, and advocacy. Lou works to build strong partnerships across the ACT, based on the mantra, “Nothing about us without us!”
Lou brings this wealth of experience to the I-Day Steering Committee. Lou looks forward to all Canberrans coming together to celebrate I-Day,
with events that highlight the diversity, achievements, creativity and talents of our community. Inclusive celebrations where people with disability can be vocal, visible and proud.
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Ravi Krishnamurthy is a leader whose dedication to disability rights has made a national impact. As President of the Australian Multicultural Action Network (AMAN), he has created spaces for individuals with disabilities, particularly from multicultural backgrounds, to lead discussions and influence policies, programs, and public attitudes. His efforts have advanced inclusion and representation, ensuring diverse voices contribute to systemic change and a fairer society. Through his work with the ACT Health Disability Reference Group, Ravi has driven systemic reforms, collaborating with government agencies to prioritize the involvement of people with disabilities in decision-making. His initiatives bridge cultural and disability divides, amplifying underrepresented voices and inspiring change across Australia. Ravi was the winner of Leader in Inclusion category within the 2024 ACT Chief Ministers Inclusion Awards.
His vision for International Day of People with Disability (I-Day) in the ACT exemplifies his dedication to empowerment and unity. Ravi advocates for I-Day to become a platform where people with disabilities lead every aspect, showcasing their achievements, sharing their journeys, and driving meaningful change. His leadership embodies a national vision of inclusion, turning advocacy into action that inspires pride, amplifies identity, and catalyses progress across Australia.
Liliana Russell
Liliana brings to the Steering Committee her lived experience of visual impairment together with her education background and wide community connections including strong links with ACT Children’s Week Committee, Positive Partnerships, Guide Dogs Australia and Vision Australia.
Liliana would like to see I-Day as a celebration of true inclusion that celebrates ability, access and participation for all no matter what the disability and that it is a day for all ages in community, work and school settings.
Fi Peel
Fi is an early-career writer, musician, theatre artist, podcaster and creative producer, creating with gratitude on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands. They specialise in multi-disciplinary explorations of the arts, health, philosophy, behavioural and social sciences, to mediate authentic expressions of story and voice. Fi is also an access, inclusion, equity and diversity consultant and disability arts innovator, using peer work practice and leadership praxis to support re-emerging artists with lived experience of mental health challenges, disability and other experiences of marginalisation.
As a mental health, disability, queer and social justice advocate Fi brings these experiences to the committee and would love to see I-Day celebrated in ways that involved universal co-design (not consultation) to ensure access and inclusion for as many people living with disability as possible, regardless of whether they are community participants or event organisers.
Taryn Lee (co-opted member)
Taryn is a youth advocate and brings enthusiasm, ideas and energy to the Steering Committee. Taryn is part of a number of committees including the peak body for LGBTQIA+ youth, the Youth Pride Network, and an advocate in the Prevention of Gender Based Violence Youth Advisory Group led by the Department of Education. Taryn also brings to the committee their lived experience of disability, intersectionality and disability advocacy skills.
Taryn would love to see I-Day to focus on representation – having disabled artists perform, having a film screening of films that feature people with disability; and opening up the conversation – reducing the stigma surrounding disability, and having people with lived experience and advocates talk about their own experiences.
I-Day ACT 
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