ASAN AUNZ

Sarah Vortman

She/her

Why are you nominating for the Board?

I am passionate about joining the Board because I want to be involved in helping to drive systemic change and fostering genuine inclusion for the Autistic community. As an Autistic researcher, policy maker, artist, and advocate, I deeply resonate with the social model of disability and the group’s commitment to challenging stereotypes and removing barriers that limit our community. I believe my experience in autism research, policy and legislation, stakeholder engagement and communication, and creative arts, provides a unique perspective to support initiatives that promote autonomy and redefine societal perceptions of Autistic individuals. I would be excited to contribute to a mission that both celebrates neurodiversity and advocates for a society where Autistic voices are recognised and valued.

What involvement have you had in Autistic self advocacy?

Since my late diagnosis I have been a passionate Autistic advocate, and I have a wide range of experience in autism advocacy in academic research, government, social media, and in my personal life.

I am currently undertaking a higher research degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast in the area of autism and art practice. Specifically, my research explores the lived experiences of late diagnosed Autistic women through participatory creative practices, contributing to the small but growing body of knowledge of adult autism and art-based research. My work challenges dominant neuronormative and deficit-based discourse, and by integrating creative practice with scholarly inquiry and lived experience, will provide new insights to enrich our understanding of Autistic women and contribute to the small but growing body of knowledge on adult autism, as well as strengths-based approaches and arts-based research. My research findings will foster more inclusive and responsive approaches and frameworks for use by Autistic women themselves, and importantly by healthcare professionals, policy makers, community support services, and researchers working in contexts where Autistic women’s voices, experiences, and ways of knowing are currently absent and invisible. 

I recently presented an abstract titled ‘Moving beyond words: (re)claiming Autistic stories through art’ at the UniSC 2024 Research ‘Connect, Create, Celebrate’ conference. This included a conference poster that visually explained my research through original artworks and comics. I also recently submitted a research article, titled ‘Ripples of reflections: autoethnography and visual arts practice illuminate a woman’s lived experience of late autism diagnosis’ as sole author to a Q1 international disability research journal (under review at this time). I am currently working on a second research article about my lived experience of being an Autistic PhD researcher in academia in Australia.

I recently identified a lack of advocacy and support for neurodivergent students at my university and am currently in the process of establishing an affiliated UniSC Neurodiversity Collective, with the intention to provide advocacy and awareness, peer support, and community connectedness, throughout the greater university body, and in the wider community.

I am also a senior policy advisor in Queensland’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General, where I am actively involved in advocating for neurodiversity issues as an appointed member of the Just Ability Working Group. My work (including advocacy, design, copywriting) has contributed to the creation of successful online neurodiversity resources, social media campaigns, and accessible and inclusive policies and practices.

In my personal life, I was recently appointed by The Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Education and Youth Justice, to the Home Education Expert Group, where I provide advice to the State Government on neurodiversity issues and home education. At regular meetings I have shared the experiences of neurodivergent children and families, who form a large proportion of the home education cohort, and advocated for changes to the home education sector to better accommodate and support these families. A number of recommendations incorporating these changes were recently provided to the Minister that will improve the lives of neurodivergent home educating families in Queensland. I have also been an administrator of a large Australian Autistic women Facebook group for a number of years, where I contribute to discussions, vet member requests to ensure the safety of the group, moderate and manage group activity, and support members in crisis. I also run my own feminist page on Facebook (and elsewhere) where I regularly write about neurodiversity issues. That account has approximately 40,000 followers, however a number of my posts have gone ‘viral’ with engagements in the million plus range.

What experience on and contributions to other boards and committees have you had?

I have extensive experience in establishing and participating in boards and committees. I am currently a member of the Minister-appointed state-wide Home Education Expert Group, where I provide advice on neurodiversity issues and home education. In my current role at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General I have provided the secretariat function for the agency-wide Enterprise Architecture, Strategy and Policy Committee. This involves planning and preparing meetings, coordinating policy briefings, consulting with the Chair, taking minutes, and following up on actions with members and stakeholders. I have also been a participant in that committee, preparing policy briefings for endorsement. I am also an active member of the department’s inclusion and diversity groups, the Just Ability Working Group and the Just Pride Working Group.

In a previous role at the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, I was responsible for the successful development of the legislation to establish the Cross River Rail Authority, Queensland’s highest priority $5.4b infrastructure project. This involved preparation and participation in the Parliamentary Committee hearing on the Bill with Members of Parliament. I was also responsible for planning and facilitating the appointment of high-level board appointees, in consultation with the then-Deputy Premier Jackie Trad. This included development of the Significant Appointment Cabinet submission, coordination of recruitment and appointment, determination of appropriate remuneration, compliance with protocols such as managing identified conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality to ensure details of the appointments were not released prior to the Premier’s announcement.

I also worked with the Queensland Chief Scientist on development of a Smart State Council report, where I was responsible for coordination of a high-level working group of industry leaders. I was able to successfully draw on the expert advice of the group to inform development of the report recommendations, which were subsequently endorsed by the Queensland Government. In a role at Queensland Health I was responsible for preparing policy briefing papers on organ and tissue donation for the national Jurisdictional Advisory Group and Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. In another role I provided secretariat for the national Regulators’ Responsible Gambling Working Group, which involved planning and executing regular meetings with senior members and stakeholders in different locations across the country.

What are your areas of expertise?

I have over 20 years of experience in government policy and research, as well as experience in corporate governance, stakeholder engagement, and development and review of legislation. I also have experience in academic research, as well as creative practice (painting, drawing, and digital design), and writing across a range of mediums. I am proficient at using technology and design to communicate with impact.

Which of these areas do you have strong skills in that you would apply on the ASAN-AUNZ Board?

  • Governance expertise including experience on Boards and committees and/or leadership roles.
  • Government or stakeholder engagement.
  • Working with vulnerable cohorts.
  • Social media planning, copywriting and postin.
  • Co-design facilitation and participation.
  • Accessibility including online and easy read.

What else would you like the members of ASAN-AUNZ to know about you? (optional)

I am a multiply disabled woman, and rarely see myself represented in media or discussions about neurodiversity or disability. I am passionate about sharing my experiences and advocating for people like me, particularly other Autistic people with commonly co-occurring conditions. I am also a parent of neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD) children and bring both my experience as a late diagnosed Autistic woman, as well as my experience as a parent of Autistic children, to the table when advocating for Autistic people and issues. I am also the daughter of immigrant parents and am the first person in my family to attend university, let alone progress to a PhD. I am also bisexual and an active advocate for LGBTQ+ issues. I wholeheartedly believe that autism advocacy should always be intersectional.