WHAT MAKES YOU
VISIONARY?
Chat with Matt
Meet Matt
De Gruchy.
Matt was 9 when he was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease and started losing his vision. Today, he has lost 96% of his sight.
He was also 9 when an optometrist labelled him a "retard." That word stuck. It made him feel broken, like he didn't belong….
NOW He owns the stage, blind, bold, and unapologetically himself. Matt's Ability, not disABILITY movement has seen his story heard across the globe from the NDIS Royal Commission to the Two Blind Brothers in New York City and your local school or event, using his voice to break down stereotypes and stigmas, spark real conversations, and ask the question: What makes YOU visionary?
“You don’t always get to pick the cards you’re dealt in life. BUT you can always pick your attitude!” - Matt De Gruchy
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
Signature Keynote: What Makes YOU Visionary?
Keynote: Ability Not disAbility
Full length keynote presentation - Up to 90 minutes
Ideal for school cohorts, 150+ students
Stargardt's simulation glasses experience
Q&A/ meet and greet - 30 minutes
WORKSHOPS
• Ideal for classrooms and small groups
Beneficial for both Students and Teachers
Matt's Story in a nutshell opening into group conversation
A more In- depth experience with Matt's Stargardt's simulation glasses
Virtual & Collaborative Sessions Available
Corporate Events & Conferences
• A powerful keynote experience built for corporate events and national conferences
• Lived-experience insights that transform how teams think about inclusion and accessibility
• Motivates organisations to cultivate confidence, kindness
in high-performance careers
• A raw and inspiring journey of resilience, entrepreneurship, and vision beyond sight
•Immersive stage visuals available throughout the keynote
Testimonials
“We were so lucky to have Matt talk at our school. His presentation to our students was insightful, thought provoking and most of all inspiring. He was incredibly relatable to the students; they were engaged throughout and were desperate to hang around and chat with him after the presentation. A must for any school"
Jodie W, Sacred Heart College
"Matt's model of, it's not the disability, it's the ability, is the part I'll remember most from the talk, and something I can take into my own life, the message is very powerful in raising awareness"
Student, Lyndal Secondary College
"When Matt spoke about having student voice, that really stuck with me, talking about diversity, talking about people having different needs but also highlighting how everyone has different strengths as well"
Teacher, Charles Weston School
“I think it’s invaluable to have Matt come in and speak to the students. I really appreciated the discussion around blindness being a spectrum, because when I was growing up, it was never talked about that way. Having someone help me understand was a powerful experience.”
Year level 7-9 coordinator , Lyndale Secondary College
organisations & collaboraters
Let’s Work Together
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A Blind Man’s Vision
“I don’t want to live in a world where we are defined by the visible and made to feel invisible. I want to live in a world where we are celebrated for our differences and our uniqueness, making us one!” Advocating for the disability community with the #AbilityNotDisability movement. Aiming to educate and inspire.
