Who is ADCET?

The ADCET team is a small but exceptional team of experts whose collective experience is what makes ADCET's resources and content so dynamic.

Meet the Team

Darlene McLennan

ADCET Manager

Darlene has been the manager of ADCET since 2013 and been working in the further education and disability sector since 2005, initially as a National Disability Coordination Officer for Tasmania. Darlene is passionate about improving linkages, transitions and participation for people with disability in tertiary education and was awarded a life membership for ATEND in 2020 and a lifetime membership award for EPHEA for her contributions to the sector. Darlene’s lived experience as a person with a Specific Learning Disability gives her a personal insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by students with disability. She holds a Master of Business from the University of Tasmania and a post-graduate degree in Careers Education from RMIT. Connect with Darlene on LInkedIn.
Darren Britten

National Assistive Technology Project Officer

Darren has been involved in inclusive practice and accessible resource development in the tertiary sector for almost two decades and has a passion for technology and how information is delivered and accessed. He has been active in designing and developing learning objects for online learning, providing advice and training to academic staff around digital equity, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Inclusive Resources Development (IRD) team at La Trobe University. IRD provided best practice in the provision of accessible learning resources for students with print and hearing impairments and won several awards for student support including: 'Making a Difference' award from Vision Australia, an ‘Excellence in Transition Award' from Pathways 9 and a La Trobe University Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. Connect with Darren on LInkedIn.
Jane Hawkeswood

ADCET Project Coordinator

Jane has been with ADCET for over 20 years, witnessing and adapting to the dramatic evolution of the internet. As ADCET has expanded into new areas like social media, webinars, and most recently, podcasts, Jane has embraced each platform enthusiastically. She holds a Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility from the University of South Australia and has completed extensive training in document and website accessibility through Vision Australia. Jane’s dedication to digital inclusion and accessibility and her ability to adapt to emerging technologies have been crucial to ADCET’s ongoing growth and success. Connect with Jane on LinkedIn
Kylie Geard

Administrative Support Officer

Kylie Geard is a seasoned Administrative Support Officer at ADCET, bringing a wealth of experience to her role. Armed with a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and a Certificate IV in both Training and Assessment plus Business, Kylie is well-equipped for her multifaceted responsibilities. With over a decade at the University of Tasmania, Kylie has seamlessly transitioned through various roles, showcasing her versatility in project management and support, plus academic roles in lecturing and tutoring focused on technology, mathematics, essay writing and the skills needed to become a successful student. Her commitment to precision and organisational finesse has earned her the reputation of being the "details person" at ADCET. Kylie's dedication to advancing education and technology is evident in her comprehensive skill set and extensive background in the tertiary education sector.

External Contributors

Andrew Downie

ADCET Video Developer and Content Writer

Andrew Downie is a psychologist with a postgraduate diploma in education. Until early 2018, Andrew worked for TAFE NSW for 25 years, providing information to staff and students on adaptive technology. As well as providing information on specialised equipment, this involved input to staff on correct document structure. For a long time, Andrew has recognised that structuring documents correctly is of huge benefit to both authors and to readers who have disabilities. He has therefore developed a regime of indoctrination (education). Andrew has quite strong skills in areas of MS Office, PDF, HTML and CSS. He also has a strong knowledge of equipment relevant to people who have vision loss for selfish reasons, as he is blind. He also has extensive knowledge of equipment, whether specialised or "mainstream", relevant to people who have a wide variety of disabilities.
Danielle Kutchel

ADCET Content Writer

Danielle is a journalist and communications professional with experience working in not for profits and corporates. As a journalist, Danielle writes on disability, education, and diverse and marginalised communities. She has long been interested in the challenges faced by people with a disability and how these barriers can be dismantled. As well as her work for ADCET, Danielle is a journalist with Pro Bono News and freelances for a number of different outlets. She enjoys using her skills to make a real, palpable difference in the world and recently completed an Honours thesis investigating media representations of people with disability. Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn.
Gabrielle O'Brien

Content Developer(Casual)

Gabrielle has over 25 years' experience in Higher Education across various institutions including the University of Queensland, Griffith University and QUT. Her expertise includes delivering whole-of-institution programs that improve access, participation, retention and success for student and staff equity groups in education and employment. She has a broad range of interests including strategy and policy development, training and awareness, complaints management, improving disability inclusion and addressing gender equity and gendered violence. Gabrielle has a range of qualifications including a BA, Graduate Diploma in Business, a Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion and just finished her Masters in Human Services. The nexus between research and practice is what has kept Gabrielle in the sector for so long and why working with equity practitioners to affect change is a lifelong passion. Gabrielle was previously an executive member of the Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia including a stint as President between 2014 and 2019. In that time, she worked closely with ADCET and was previously a member of their Executive Committee. Connect with Gabrielle on LInkedIn
Kalli Karvelas

Web Developer Disability Awareness

Kalli has worked in the Higher Education sector for the past 17 years in the areas of photography, eLearning development, project management and accessibility compliance and standards. Kalli has a Bachelor of Arts from RMIT University and completed a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from La Trobe University. In 2015, Kalli completed the Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility Compliance with the University of South Australia. At La Trobe University, Kalli worked as an Accessibility Support Officer producing accessible learning resources for students with a disability, and authoring training guides and resources for staff on the development of inclusive resources. More recently, as the owner of Red Asterix, Kalli has been providing accessibility expertise and services to RMIT University, Deakin University and the University of Tasmania in the areas of developing WCAG 2.1 compliant websites, web accessibility auditing and providing alternate formats for students with hearing impairments.

Previous Content Developers

Debbie Hindle

ADCET Content Writer (2021)

Debbie has over 25 years’ experience working in the Human Services field. This includes five years as an NDCO hosted by the University of Tasmania and 15 months as the Senior Advisor to the Tasmanian Minister for Human Services. She recently completed a Masters of Positive Psychology through the University of Melbourne. Debbie also has a Graduate Certificate in Media Relations. Currently she is busy undertaking project work for the NDCO program, as well as being a content writer for ADCET. She is responsible for composing the Disability Practitioner profiles on the web home page, a role she particularly enjoys. “What a great job – hearing the stories from such a committed and passionate group of people. It’s a privilege to be able to share these with others, and to know that whilst are all working to make a difference in our own space, in combination we are creating possibilities and enabling the potential of many people.”
Jane Britt

ADCET Content Writer (2019)

Jane has been involved in working for the disability sector across multiples roles in recent times. In addition to being a Disability Consultant and Freelance Writer for ADCET, Jane is a Business Transformation Graduate, working in Service Innovation and Design for Vision Australia and currently serves in the role of President for non-for-profit charity organisation, Achilles Brisbane. Jane is deeply committed to the improvement of the lives of people with disability, through advocacy, writing and active engagement with members of the disability community. Outside her professional roles, Jane is a Peer Mentor for students with vision loss through Vision Australia, supporting them in their educational endeavours. In her spare time, Jane is a musician, photographer, runner and enjoys hand crafts (cards).
Maribel Steel

ADCET Content Writer (2021)

Maribel has over 25 years experience working in Disability, Education, Communication and Allied Health. Based in Melbourne, she shares her lived experience of blindness as a professional writer, public speaker, presenter and advocate. She is passionate about raising awareness for inclusive practices, and values teamwork and collaboration where the voices of champions for change can be heard. In 2017, she received an ‘Inspire’ Award in the Lynette Rowe Best Achievement in Community Service, and is an award-winning Toastmaster. She is a peer advisor for VisionAware (USA) and is currently completing VET studies in Certificate IV Training and Assessment. Her book, ‘Blindness for Beginners’, continues to spark interest in the media across Australia, UK and USA bringing a focus on ‘ability’ in disability. Read more at: Maribelsteel.com
Monica Leahy

ADCET Content Writer (2020)

Monica Leahy has sixteen years experience as a secondary teacher and senior school manager. She has managed Policy and Planning for Disability SA and HACC programs for ageing ethnic communities. Her work to integrate disability inclusion into SA Government business won her an award from the Minister for Disability and an Australia Day Public Service Medal. From 2008-2012 Monica was a National Disability Coordination Officer and in 2012-13 she worked as Statewide Coordinator of Disability Support for TAFE SA. In 2013 she quit the rat race to start her own business – Disability Learning Management (DLM) Solutions. She now consults to the private training sector, assesses students in Certificates III and IV in Disability, writes policy for the NFP sector and supports individuals returning to work after catastrophic injuries. Her website is: www.dlmsolutions.org
Trevor Allan

ADCET Content Writer (2020)

Trevor Allan (deceased 9 June 2024) worked tirelessly in the disability, equity and education sectors for over 20 years, leaving an enduring legacy of positive change. He managed the Disability Service at The Australian National University for almost 9 years and served as the Head of Student Equity, Welfare and Disability Services at the University of Western Sydney for almost 7 years until his medical retirement in 2013.

During his distinguished career, Trevor was instrumental in developing innovative programs such as the ANU Digital Lecture Delivery Project and the UWS Inherent Requirements projects. His exceptional contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Vice Chancellor's Award for Career Achievement at the 2006 ANU Staff Excellence Awards, a UWS Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award in 2011, and a UWS Outstanding Contribution to Teaching & Learning Award in 2012.

In 2014, Trevor became the first Life Member of the Australian Tertiary Education Network on Disability (ATEND), reflecting his profound impact on the sector. Even after retirement, he remained deeply committed to advancing disability support in education, actively contributing to aust-ed and ATEND email list discussions, while also providing valuable consultancy and project work in the field.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sector, ADCET announced in May 2024 the establishment of the Trevor Allan Award for Excellence in Disability Inclusion and Accessibility. This prestigious annual award honours individuals who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to promoting accessibility and inclusion for students with disability in Australian tertiary education. The award celebrates those who, like Trevor, show extraordinary leadership in removing barriers, implementing innovative solutions, and advocating for the rights and needs of students with disability. In a touching moment, Trevor and his daughter were able to attend the inaugural award ceremony online, witnessing firsthand how his legacy will continue to inspire excellence in disability inclusion for years to come.

His dedication to improving educational accessibility and equity has left an indelible mark on Australian tertiary education

ADCET Advisory Committee

The ADCET also relies on support from the ADCET Advisory Committee. The committee focuses on strategic direction to ensure the ongoing development and improvement of the website, resources and projects undertaken by ADCET.

Advisory Committee Members