About Kirsty

I’m Kirsty Whitehead, an Inclusive Communications Consultant and founder of Advoca-Lab. I help organisations make information accessible, respectful, and practical to ensure that people of all abilities can understand and use it.

As a mum of four, I have spent over a decade navigating complex health, disability, and education systems. Along the way, I saw how poor communication creates confusion, stress, and barriers. These barriers have an impact, not only for individuals but also for their families and carers. It was through my eldest children’s medical journeys with Neurofibromatosis, and one defining moment where my son's sight was impacted by his communication difficulties, that I recognised the urgent need for truly inclusive communication.

Advoca-Lab is the outcome of that realisation. It combines my background in applied linguistics, policy, and research with my lived experience as a carer and advocate. I am trained in inclusive methods such as Easy Read and Simple English, and I specialise in designing practical tools and resources that bridge the gap between services and the people who rely on them.

Beyond my consultancy, I contribute to health system improvement through consumer advisory roles, policy submissions, and advocacy at both state and federal levels. These experiences ensure I understand not only the theory of inclusion but also the realities of implementing it in high-pressure environments.

My mission is to move inclusive communication from a box-ticking exercise to an expected norm. Because accessibility is not just compliance: it’s dignity, empowerment, and trust.