For Sydney Zoo, ImpactInstitute’s Disability & WorkAbility Expos are an opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of people with disability, beyond the obvious value of seeing the joy that occurs when people connect to animals.
“Our Expos create a space where a diverse range of organisations, many from outside of the immediate NDIS sector, can truly connect with the community and discover new ways to make a difference,” says Kathryn Carey, Head of Events and Marketing at ImpactInstitute.
It’s where Sydney Zoo finds not just visitors, but partners, feedback and connections that shape the way they create ongoing economic and social value.
Jessica Menendez, Education Manager at Sydney Zoo, puts it simply, “We’re not your typical support provider…but that’s exactly why we exhibit. These expos help us reach people who might not know we exist, and more importantly, show them that we’re a place where everyone is welcome.”
Sydney Zoo has now attended several expos, and each time, the experience has left a lasting impression, not just on attendees, but on the zoo team as well.
Most importantly for Sydney Zoo, that feedback has led to real improvements in accessibility and programming.
One young visitor discovered the zoo’s Accessible Zookeeper for a Day program at the Expo. Since then, he’s participated every school holiday, six times and counting. “He came just to see us at the Expo,” Jessica recalls. “Now he’s part of the zoo family…we joke that we’ll have to give him a job one day!”
These kinds of connections are only possible because of the unique environment the Expo creates. Beyond being an ecosystem of connected products and services, it’s a space where people can ask questions, share feedback, and feel genuinely heard.
The Expo also opens doors to collaboration. After meeting Sunnyfield Disability Services at our of our Expos, Sydney Zoo co-designed a 10-week work placement program tailored to participants’ needs. “We wouldn’t have built that relationship without the Expo,” Jessica says. “It’s a space where ideas turn into action.”
Sydney Zoo is also an inclusive employer, with team members like Steve, an educator and wheelchair user, leading wildlife shows.
“We want to show that we’re not just accessible…we’re a place of real opportunity,” Jessica adds.
For Sydney Zoo, the Disability & WorkAbility Expo is a vital part of their mission to be a place where everyone can learn, explore, and belong.
“We always walk away from the Expo feeling uplifted,” Jessica says. “It reminds us why we do what we do.”
To learn more about exhibiting at one of our upcoming expos, visit the ImpactInstitute Disability Expo page.