Powerful Voice for Change

Elly Desmarchelier is one of Australia’s leading voices in disability rights and social policy.

Her advocacy has gained her access to rooms where decisions that affect the lives of Australians with disability are made, such as speaking at the Prime Minister’s 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit.

As a proud disabled woman, Elly was the national spokesperson for the Defend Our NDIS campaign during the 2022 Federal Election. In 2025, Elly represented Australia at the United Nations in New York, speaking at the Conference of States Parties (COSP18).

Appearing on national TV shows such as 7:30, The Project, The Drum and Q&A, Elly has shared her insights and experiences on being a disabled woman in modern society. Her writing has been featured in national publications such as Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and the ABC.

Elly is featured in the National Archives of Australia exhibition Disrupt, persist, invent: Australians in an ever-changing world for her advocacy work, particularly on the Defend Our NDIS campaign.

Fuelling her advocacy, Elly is determined to create change for the 1 in 5 Australians with disability and believes that’s only possible if people with disability have a seat at the table.

Light refreshments.

This event will be Auslan interpreted.