The Minister for Health, Michelle O'Byrne, today urged Tasmanians with a disability to continue speaking out about their rights at the 25^th annual 'Speak Out' conference.

Ms O'Byrne was opening the conference in Launceston, which is being run by the Speak Out Association of Tasmania and has attracted delegates from across the State.

"The Speak Out Conference gives people with an intellectual disability a chance to hone their self- advocacy skills and campaign for disability rights in the community," she said.

"The voices of Tasmanians with a disability must be heard by all levels of Government and the community."

Ms O'Byrne said this year's 'Dare to Dream' conference has a particular focus on overcoming the barriers that people with a disability struggle with when looking for employment.

"Employees with a disability have a meaningful role to play in the workforce and an enormous amount to offer," she said

"We must always strive to increase community awareness of the skills and capabilities people with a disability bring to bear and that is one of the aims of this conference.

"Tomorrow, the delegates will be discussing the historic disability reforms which will see a National Disability Insurance Scheme established across the country - they have the potential to not only shape their own futures but the futures of generations to come."