Rebecca Elvy
Deputy Chief Executive, Outreach and Innovation
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
Rebecca Elvy leads the Outreach and Innovation group at Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, driving initiatives that promote accessibility and inclusion across Aotearoa New Zealand. Her team leads the design, planning, and delivery of programmes that shift perceptions, build community capability, and celebrate leadership within disabled and Deaf organisations. Rebecca oversees research, evaluation, communications, and strategic engagement with government and community partners, ensuring the disability and Deaf value proposition is championed nationally. Her leadership focuses on enabling practical tools, evidence-based policy, and system-wide collaboration to create a more equitable, accessible future.
SESSIONS
Day 1
2.50
Workshop: Why accessible and citizen-centric design is key to digital transformation success:
How accessibility in digital design is critical to true transformation and channel shift (and how exclusion prevents it)
The real economic and social costs of inaccessible government services
Why many long-lasting digital innovations originated from accessibility design for people with disabilities
How to step into the shoes of the citizens who will use your digital services, understanding lived experiences to design with, not for, the community
Embedding accessibility and co-design principles from the start of digital programs
Practical strategies for inclusive transformation that drives trust, equity, and efficiency
Key takeaways for attendees:
A clear understanding of how inclusive design underpins digital transformation success
Practical steps to integrate accessibility and citizen input into existing workflows
Insight into what true citizen-centric digital innovation looks like, design that works for everyone, drives trust, and endures over time
Rebecca Elvy, Deputy Chief Executive, Outreach and Innovation, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People