Rebecca Altaffer

Rebecca Altaffer’s upbringing was influenced by her parent’s vision for her sister, Mena, who had multiple disabilities. This included regular circle meetings held in her parents’ living room over two decades. These gatherings ingrained in Rebecca a strong appreciation for intentional community, commitment, and the significance of trusting relationships in safeguarding her sister’s future.

Central to Rebecca’s outlook is the vision of her late father, Jeremy Ward, who founded Pave the Way in 2002. Pave the Way is an organisation that provided education and support to families in planning for the future.

Rebecca lives in Queensland and has two beautiful children of her own.

Passing on the “How”: A sibling’s journey

Rebecca Altaffer’s upbringing was influenced by her parent’s vision for her sister, Mena, who had multiple disabilities. This included regular circle meetings held in her parents’ living room over a span of two decades. These gatherings ingrained in Rebecca a strong appreciation for intentional community, commitment, and the significance of trusting relationships in safeguarding her sister’s future.

Rebecca’s presentation draws upon her late father, Jeremy Ward’s writings on succession planning and her own experiences as a sibling. She will share insights into her family’s journey and their determination to safeguard the future of their loved ones.

About this session

• Rebecca will be speaking at 4:00 pm on Thursday, 23 May
• The conference runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm AEST on Thursday-Friday, 23-24 May 2024

Register to attend the conference and/or the pre-conference webinars

Learn about the other conference speakers and their presentations

Pre-conference webinars

• Webinar 1 – Decision-making in everyday life – Janet Klees
• Webinar 2 – Medical safeguarding – Jo Massarelli and Cathy Ludlum
• Webinar 3 – Now is the time for vision – Darcy Elks

Main conference

• Welcome to Country – Warren Daley
• Never too late to get a life – Cathy McMahon and Josey McMahon
• The secrets of fabulous skin self-direction – Margaret Ward
• What happens when I cark it? – Linda Hughes
• Planning ahead: Safeguarding decision-making – Helen Connolly
• The importance of trust and relationship in supported decision-making – Kim Roots
• Dream big! – Laura Esplin and Bernadette Esplin
• Building bridges to neighbourhood – Sarah Faulkner
• Safeguarding a Micro Enterprise for the future – Helen Neale
• Finding and safeguarding a job – Jan Kruger
• What’s the plan? Estate planning consideration for parents and carers – Stacey Bell
• Passing on the “How”: A sibling’s journey – Rebecca Altaffer
• It’s a long game: Planning for a great future for Valen in a constantly changing world – Ann Greer, Valen Litster, and Sally Aubrey
• How to set your Executor up for success – Stacey Bell
• Safeguarding the future: A sibling’s perspective – Libby Ellis
• Dispelling myths about the Disability Support Pension, Rent Assistance, and employment income – Paul Kruger
• Your money, your future – Carolina Albornoz
• Helping relationships flourish – Tim Bavinton
• Who is the person behind the behaviour, and what do they need? – Kane Morgan
• Safeguarding Isaac’s good life through a Service for One – Sheree Henley
• Emma Davidson MLA
• Planning future finances – Chris Oates
• Crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron – Karen Caldwell, Cameron Zellner, and Markus Zellner

About the Safeguarding the Future conference

• Thursday-Friday, 23-24 May 2024
• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
• Hotel Realm in Canberra
• Optional networking event on Thursday evening
• Three pre-conference webinars included in the main conference ticket
• Pre-conference webinar-only tickets are also available if you can’t attend the main event
• Flexible pricing is available for people with disability and their families from $0.00 to $225.00
• People with disability, their families, friends, and allies, support workers, education professionals, health professionals, and everyone interested in safeguarding the future of people with disability are welcome to attend.
• Registrations close at 5:00 pm AEST on Thursday, 16 May

Register to attend the conference and/or the pre-conference webinars