The Scientist, the Advocates and the Change We Can All Feel

To celebrate the upcoming launch of the new tactile $10 note, Melbourne Social Equity Institute and Vision Australia are delighted to present a lunchtime panel discussion about how research and advocacy are helping to build an equitable society, and the profound impact that technological change can have on the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.

Please join renowned ABC journalist Virginia Trioli as she hosts a panel including inspiring young advocate and high school student Connor McLeod, celebrated University of Melbourne Professorial Fellow David Solomon AC, principal inventor of the world’s first polymer banknote, and Vision Australia General Manager of Advocacy, Engagement and Government Relations, Karen Knight.

In 2015, at age 13, Connor was determined to overcome a problem common among peers who are blind or low vision – being unable to consistently distinguish between different denominations of banknotes. His petition gained 57,000 signatures and contributed to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to introduce a tactile feature on the $5 note last September, and in September this year, this feature will be added to the $10 note. The panel will discuss how research and advocacy can break down barriers to inclusion.

A light lunch will be served from 12.30pm, with the panel discussion to commence at 1.00pm.

Friday 1 September
Yasuko Hiraoka Myer Room 
Level 1, Sidney Myer Asia Centre
University of Melbourne
761 Swanston Street, Parkville
Map

To RSVP for this event, please register via the bookings page or email social-equity@unimelb.edu.au by Tuesday 29 August.

An accessibility guide for the Sidney Myer Asia Centre can be downloaded here (Word document).

If you have any accessibility requirements or any other queries related to this event, please email social-equity@unimelb.edu.au or phone (03) 8344 7603.