Imagine More inspires people with disability and their families to live valued and included lives and contribute to Canberra’s rich social and economic life. We encourage and support the inclusion of people with disability in Canberra's classrooms, workplaces, and the broader community.

Imagine More started at a kitchen table in Canberra’s inner north in 2013. That’s when Jan and Paul Kruger realised that if their son, who has an intellectual impairment, was to be included in all facets of life like his older sisters were, then they needed to map out a pathway for him themselves.

Guided by other families, researchers, and experts from around Australia and across the globe, Jan and Paul found the evidence and approaches they needed to ensure people with intellectual disability and autism are able to participate economically and socially in their local communities without needing to follow the “Special Pathway”. 

What’s more, by embracing the inclusive, typical pathway, people with disability generally have greater earning power, more friendships, more interests, more skills, and command greater respect than those who don’t.

Jan and Paul shared what they were learning with a few other local families. As a result, young Canberrans with intellectual disability and autism began achieving more in all fields of life, including education, employment, and contributing to the community. 

Jan and Paul are now supported by a small team to continue their capacity-building work. Imagine More has developed a rich collection of resources, events, and inspiring stories that motivate families, professionals and the community to support people with disability to

• hold valued social roles
• develop meaningful relationships and
• live typical lives in their communities.

We promote inclusive practices above models where people are segregated from the community or always congregated with other people with disability. Inclusion occurs when 

• there is recognition of the unique gifts and strengths of the person
• the person is encouraged to develop skills and competencies throughout their life, ideally in an environment in which high expectations prevail
• the person is intelligently supported to participate and contribute to regular and typical pursuits in their local community.

What we do

• Host free or low-cost events (workshops and webinars) on topics of interest, including 
  • Supporting students to access inclusive education
  • Pursuing employment in valued roles and workplaces
  • Finding a home of your own
  • Safeguarding the future
  • Self-managing the NDIS
  • Social role valorisation
  • Supporting positive behaviours
• Host regular topic-based peer groups for families. In 2024, these are
  • Customised Employment Peer Group
  • Imagining Home Peer Group
  • Inclusive Education Peer Group
  • Self-Managing the NDIS Peer Group
  • Social Role Valorisation Peer Group
• Host an annual conference. In 2024, our conference, Safeguarding the Future, will be held in May.
• Host events supporting people with disability and their families in developing leadership skills. We also support people with disability to share their own stories so that others can be inspired and motivated to walk the typical pathway.
• Developing resources, including videos, podcasts, checklists, and documents that support people with disability to lead typical lives in their local community. These are made available at no cost via our website.
• Work collaboratively with other Australian capacity-building organisations to ensure more Australians with intellectual disability are supported to pursue a typical life.

We are primarily funded by government grants. Donations will allow us to deliver additional resources, such as

• A podcast series focusing on topics relevant to local and national audiences,
• A topic-based conference relevant to people with disability and their families. Our conferences feature speakers with disability, their family members, and professionals and allies from across Australia and the globe,
• A family leadership weekend; an opportunity for families to connect and learn skills that will help them share their experiences to inspire inclusion in all walks of life.