About us
MACA is a registered charity driving change to advance the rights of people with disability and medical conditions to safe transport
Our impact
MACA is leading a significant work program to advance research, knowledge, consumer information, product availability and training to improve road safety and community participation for people with disability and their families.
Our vision and mission
Vision: Every person has access to safe and equitable transport.
Mission: To develop and deliver solutions for the safe and equitable transport of people with disabilities and medical conditions.
Our approach
Collaboration
We collaborate with families, professionals, researchers, industry, and government to create safer, more equitable transport systems.
Advancing research and driving innovation
Operating at a local, national, and international level, we advance research and drive innovation to support safe and equitable transport.
Translation of research into practice
We translate research into independent and practical information, resources, and training to strengthen the system so that it can better meet the transport needs of people with disability and their families.
Independent and evidence-based
We don’t sell products or align with suppliers - our information resources and training programs are independent and evidence-based.
Strategic Plan
Since 2019, MACA has lead a significant agenda to close the gaps in research, policy, products and allied health training and practice that impacts on the transport of children with disabilities and medical conditions. In 2024 this expanded to include adults with disability.
Focus areas
Our consultancy services
With extensive experience across government, not-for-profit, and corporate sectors, our skilled team delivers impactful projects across a diverse range of areas.
Our services include road safety, disability, education and training, child restraints, design thinking and policy.
Our team
Our multidisciplinary team of experts is dedicated to improving transport for people with disabilities and medical conditions.
We care deeply about making a difference and believe all people have the right to fully participate in all aspects of life.
Helen Lindner
Helen is the founder and Chief Executive of MACA, recognised for her innovation, collaboration, and leadership in advancing safe and equitable transport for people with disabilities and medical conditions. She draws on extensive experience across early childhood, policy, road safety, and organisational leadership to drive meaningful change.
A qualified early childhood educator with experience in service management, Helen began her road safety career at VicRoads in 2009 as a Senior Project Manager, working across research, policy, and program development. She went on to hold senior leadership roles at VicRoads, including Manager of Statewide Programs and Director of Practice, Standards and Solutions in the Registration and Licensing Division.
In these roles, Helen undertook international study tours, presented at global forums, and contributed as an active member of the Austroads Registration and Licensing Taskforce. In 2018, she initiated the world’s first global summit of Registration and Licensing authorities, an event that continues today.
Today, Helen is recognised as a leading global child restraint expert, regularly presenting at national and international conferences, including the Protection of Children in Cars Conference in Germany (2022–2024).
Emma Clarkson
Emma is a Director and founding member of MACA with over a decade of experience in road safety and the transport sector. She brings a diverse background in health promotion, public relations, innovation, and education, giving her a unique perspective on creating meaningful change.
A qualified secondary educator, Emma began her road safety career at VicRoads in 2009 as a Senior Project Manager, where she gained extensive experience in research, policy, and the delivery of innovative education programs. She has since held senior roles in road safety policy and corporate innovation, and in 2016 completed an international study tour of world-leading organisations in innovation.
Emma has led internationally recognised initiatives including SunSmart, the L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program, and Starting Out Safely (Victoria’s early childhood road safety program). More recently, she designed and implemented innovative education programs for the Transport Accident Commission’s award-winning Road to Zero experience at Melbourne Museum, including a Year 12 Health and Human Development app.
Siobhan Cribbin
Siobhan is a Design Lead at MACA. Her background as an industrial designer has informed the way she has built the MACA brand to be user centred, accessible and engaging. Siobhan brings her deep practice knowledge of co-design, social innovation and systems change to all that MACA does.
Dr Katie Vasey
Katie is a medical anthropologist whose research explores how people's lived experiences can shape better policy, services and systems. Her work spans public health, migration, disability, education, community participation, service design and international development, with a focus on addressing complex social challenges through research and evaluation.
Katie has worked across universities, government, design consultancies, charities and international organisations in Australia and internationally. She has authored more than 60 publications, including a single-authored book, peer-reviewed journal articles, reports and online learning resources.
At MACA, Katie leads research that informs the development of evidence-informed resources, education and practice to support safe and accessible transport for children with disabilities and medical conditions.
Alex Robb
Alex has over a decade of experience as a communications and marketing specialist, across the private and not-for-profit sectors.
He's experienced in brand articulation, strategy and execution, multi-channel campaign design and delivery, corporate communications, stakeholder relations, copywriting, management and team leadership.
Alex runs his own agency, Snippet, which excels at strategic, quality, multi-channel communications.
Margaret Manchee
As a chartered accountant, Margaret has comprehensive experience in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Margaret joined MACA in 2019 and is responsible for maintaining all accounting functions.
Ozzy
Ozzy is a proud crash test dummy and MACA's road safety mascot.
He plays a high-impact role at MACA, helping spread the word about the importance of road safety.
He's got a healthy ego - but an even stronger commitment to keeping people safe on our roads.
Glenn Dixon
Glenn is MACA's photographer and documentary filmmaker. He makes moving and still images to communicate powerful ideas and unique perspectives.
Cara Whitelaw
Cara is a senior creative director who launched graphic design agency, Studio Together, in 2013. Cara brings over two decades of experience to her work with MACA, producing outstanding and impactful design.
Our supporters
At MACA, we work closely with families, organisations and individuals who share our vision.
We take a leadership role, coordinating action across industry, allied health, research and government to drive change.
We are very grateful for the support of our Expert Advisory Group, funders, partners and committed individuals who help us make a difference.
