Safeguarding the future conference - Canberra, 23-24 May 2024

Jan Kruger

Executive Director

Portrait of Jan Kruger, Executive Director of Imagine MoreJan is the Executive Director of Imagine More. She has a Bachelor in Community Education and training in Social Role Valorisation (SRV). Jan has been a strong advocate for people to live valued and inclusive lives for many years.

In 2013 Jan co-founded Imagine More in the ACT to strengthen family leadership and advocacy for people with a disability. She wants people with disability to hold valued social roles, develop meaningful relationships and live typical lives in their communities.

Jack, Jan’s son, has been her most valuable teacher in understanding how to support people with disability to get the good things of life by following a typical life path. She continuously works towards building an ordinary, inclusive life for her son, where he enjoys a sense of belonging as a valued member of his communities. Seeking out valued social roles for a person with disability has been the most powerful lesson for Jan. She believes that relationships are at the centre of a good life. She knows that active participation and contribution are where relationships flourish.

 

Jan passionately believes that people with disability can

  • experience a great inclusive education
  • find meaningful employment
  • live in a place they call home, and
  • find real friendships.

Jan believes the power of sharing stories, and using a roles-based approach to ‘visioning’ for a good life, provides hope and a clear way forward to help families and the community imagine what is possible.

She regularly facilitates peer sessions and workshops to encourage individuals with a disability and their families to be authors of their own lives.

Jan loves being with family and friends and chatting over a cup of tea. She enjoys reading, gardening and running with friends in the beautiful Canberra reserves.