Increasing Cervical Screening for People with Disability.

Physical Disability Australia
Blog
Oct 2025

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is running a number of webinars over the next month or so around increasing cervical cancer screening for PWD:

* Tuesday 21 October – 12:30–1:30 pm
* Wednesday 30 October – 5:00–6:00 pm
* Monday 3 November – 8:00-9:00 am
* Tuesday 25 November – 1:00–2:00 pm

The webinars are designed so you only have to join one session. Each session will cover the same content, so there is no need to attend multiple sessions unless you want to!

About the Event

The organisers will talk about the challenges people with disability might face when getting cervical screening tests and share practical ways to make the process easier and more supportive.

You’ll hear from Professor Deborah Bateson from the University of Sydney, who is an expert in cervical screening. She’s joined by Associate Professor Mary-Ann O’Donovan from the Centre for Disability Studies, and a team of Screening Advocates who have lived experience with disability.

This session is especially for people with disability, their families, disability support workers, volunteers, and healthcare professionals. Everyone is welcome!

Things that will be covered in the webinar:

* What cervical screening testing is, and why it matters.
* How to support people with disability to get screened.
* Tips to make the experience easier and more comfortable.
* Different options available, like doing the test yourself (self-collection).

The organisers want to make sure this event works for you.
When you sign up, please let them know if there’s anything they can do to support your needs.

To register, either go to:

* https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/increasing-cervical-screening-for-people-with-disability-tickets-1685854198289 (and click “Get Tickets”), or
* call 02 9036 3600.

The event will include:

* Auslan interpreters
* Captions (subtitles)
* A short break in the middle
* Plain English wherever possible
* Brief visual descriptions to help with understanding

The sessions will also be recorded, so you can watch later if needed.

Physical Disability Australia (PDA) is a national peak Disability Peoples Organisation run by and for people with physical disability, advocating for equal opportunity, inclusion and human rights across Australia. Established in 1995, PDA represents the voices and lived experiences of its members to influence policy, engage with government, and drive meaningful change, ensuring people with physical disability are respected, empowered and able to participate fully in all aspects of society.

Speak up. Get involved.

Whether you’re living with a disability, know someone who is, or simply believe in equal rights — your voice matters.

Join the Movement. Amplify Every Voice.

Together, we can break barriers and build a more inclusive world.

Increasing Cervical Screening for People with Disability.

Speak up. Get involved.

Join the Movement. Amplify Every Voice.

Primary Category