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Ms. Joe Manton

Director, Access Institute

Qualified Trainer and Assessor, Accredited Member and Industry Expert Fellow of the Access Consultants Association

Joe Manton is the Director and Founder of Access Institute (RTO 22404), a nationally recognised leader in access consulting and universal design training. With over 30 years of experience, Joe has been at the forefront of shaping inclusive environments across Australia. She has led the development and delivery of qualifications and industry courses such as the Certificate IV and Diploma of Access Consulting, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Assessor training, Livable Housing Design Standard Assessor training, and Changing Places Assessor training.

As the inaugural Fellow and former Vice President of the Access Consultants Association, Joe has been a driving force in establishing professional standards and credentialing pathways for access consultants. Her leadership continues through initiatives such as the 5-Star Credentialed Access Professional program, advancing excellence and recognition in the sector.

Joe’s expertise extends to advising governments, industry, and community organisations on accessible design, legislation, and compliance, ensuring equitable and dignified access in both the built environment and service delivery. Widely respected for her vision and practical approach, Joe is committed to building an inclusive future where universal design principles are embedded across sport, recreation, housing, and community infrastructure.

Grad Dip Welfare Admin, Diploma Access Consulting, Cert IV TAE, Registered LHDS, LHDG, Changing Places and SDA Assessor

Michael Wheeler

Assessment Manager, Access Institute

Qualified and Accredited Access Consultant, Trainer and Assessor

Michael Wheeler is the Assessment Manager at Access Institute, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a secondary school teacher, trainer, and assessor. His career has been defined by a strong commitment to education, professional development, and the creation of inclusive learning environments that empower students and professionals alike.

As a qualified Access Consultant and Assessor, Michael combines his deep understanding of accessibility standards with his extensive background in teaching and training. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality, integrity, and consistency of assessments across Access Institute’s nationally recognised programs, including the Certificate IV and Diploma of Access Consulting, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Assessor training, Livable Housing Design Standard Assessor training, and other industry-leading courses.

Michael is highly regarded for his ability to support students in applying complex accessibility requirements to real-world scenarios, ensuring they graduate with both confidence and competence. His balanced approach blends technical expertise with clear, practical guidance, helping learners to meet professional standards and excel in their chosen fields.

Through his work, Michael continues to foster the next generation of access consultants and assessors, contributing to the advancement of universal design and equitable access across Australia.

BA, Dip Ed, Cert IV TAE, Diploma of Access Consulting

Lucas Wheeler

Director, Future Access and SDA Assessors Australia

Qualified and Accredited Access Consultant and Trainer

With more than 10 years of experience in the built environment sector, Lucas Wheeler is a highly respected Access Consultant and the Director of Future Access and SDA Assessors Australia. He is also an experienced and qualified Trainer and Assessor.

Lucas has worked extensively with organisations across Australia, delivering strategic access advice and creating practical, effective Performance Solutions that meet the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) while achieving inclusive, functional access outcomes.

He is a highly experienced:

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Assessor
Livable Housing Design Guidelines Assessor
Livable Housing Design Standard Assessor

Lucas also brings specialist expertise in developing tailored Performance Solutions for accessibility, ensuring compliance without compromising usability or design quality.

Bach of Business, Cert IV TAE, Diploma of Access Consulting, Registered LHDS, LHDG and SDA Assessor

Sarah Collison

Occupational Therapist and Director of VerveOT

Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and Director of Verve OT, leading a team of 55 Occupational Therapists across Sydney and the Blue Mountains. She specialises in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments for NDIS participants. As the founder of Verve OT Learning, Sarah has trained thousands of Occupational Therapists nationwide to navigate the NDIS with confidence.

Sarah also facilitates the NDIS OT Community of Practice, connecting over 12,000 Occupational Therapists to share knowledge and advocate for better outcomes. Sarah co-hosts the OT Unplugged podcast, offering real conversations and insights for Occupational Therapists working within the NDIS.

Elizabeth Haberley

Occupational Therapist and Director of Exceptional Access OT

Liz is an Occupational Therapist with 30 years’ experience working with people of all ages who have a disability.

Liz has worked in rehabilitation, intellectual disabilities and aged care settings and worked part time for 20 years for the Qld Department of Housing specialising in complex home modifications, 7 years in the NDIS world specialising in equipment prescription, complex home modifications and specialist housing for clients with highly complex physical and psychosocial disabilities. Liz has a very strong interest in social inclusion for all people and looking at ways to provide access to allow this to occur.

Andrew Stewart

Managing Director of Hearing Connections

Andrew is the Managing Director of Hearing Connections, and wears two cochlear implants. He has ten family members over three generations who wear hearing devices, including both his children.

He is qualified in electronics and has spent his career spanning over 40 years specialising in hearing augmentation and assistive technology for people with hearing loss, bringing together his and his family’s lived experience of hearing loss together with his technical training, and his natural ability to think outside the box.

In addition, Andrew has received many awards for his advocacy work on behalf of people with hearing loss.

His experience includes research, audit, supply, install, commissioning and auditing of hearing augmentation systems – including hearing loops and receivers systems.

He also provides solutions for education including SoundField systems, public building solutions and more.

Andrew was also the drafting lead of the two pre-eminent Australian Standards defining hearing augmentation systems AS1428.5 2010 and 2021, and he is still a contributing member of Standards Australia.

Andrew brings to life the practical application of both strategies and technology, presenting them in a clear and easy to follow manner. In addition, he includes stories of his personal experience together with his experience assisting others.

See more about us at https://www.hearconnect.com.au/who-are-we

We know what hearing loss is about – we live it!

Guest Presenters

Guest presenters in the Access Institute team include a range of access professionals such as architects, building surveyors, town planners and trainers with disabilities, as well as other professionals with extensive knowledge and skills.

These presenters participate in sessions to provide specific information and perspectives based on their extensive experience to support a wide variety of educational and informative programs.

Access Institute’s team of qualified and accredited trainers and assessors are industry experts who provide a wealth of knowledge and experience across the access industry.