If you have an emergency, please call triple zero (000) or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or headspace on 1800 650 890.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very festive season and wishes for a wonderful 2026.
The festive season can be an incredibly difficult time for many of us and it is important to know that help and understanding is available for anyone in need of an understanding ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on or a heart to care.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and in need of support, please reach out to family, friends or a support organisation.
Keep in touch with your loved ones and be aware of those around you.
Take care of yourself and others.
You are not alone!
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
headspace on 1800 650 890
On Wednesday 10th December 2025, PDA’s accomplished Policy and Project Officer, Sarah McInnes, was a guest panelist at the Human Rights Day Symposium hosted by B-Hart.
Leading voices from government, academia and lived-experience perspectives addressed human rights in shaping disability service provision.
Big ideas, bold conversations, and plans for real action were shared by an incredible lineup of speakers including the Hon Nat Cook (SA Minister for Human Services), Pouya Farbod (Founder and CEO, B-HART), Skye Kakoschke-Moore (CEO – Children and Young People with Disability Australia), Natalie Wade (Associate Commissioner, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission), Katrina Webb-Denis PLY OAM (Paralympian and Founder, Newday Leadership) and Michelle Ryan (Artistic Director, Restless Dance Theatre).
Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible event. Should a recording become available, we will let you know.
Yesterday was International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
As a person that lives with a disability, I didn’t celebrate the day or attend any IDPwD events.
Leading up to yesterday and now the day after, I have been trying to reflect on why I wasn’t able to embrace the occasion?
I acquired my disability in 1983, 2 years after the first IDPwD was declared, and 44 years ago. In 1992, Australia brought into law the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), with a set of subsequent DDA standards to follow. Australia ratified the Conventions of the Rights of People with Disability (CRPD) in 2008 and in 2010 the first National Disability Strategy was endorsed by all incumbent governments. In 2013 the NDIS commenced, and was touted as one of the greatest social reforms for people with disabilities.
On the surface, from a legislative and policy perspective, all the of the afore mentioned give the impression that people with disabilities in Australia should be fully accepted in Australian society. It’s also not lost on me that Australia, as a Nation, positions disability in a far better place than many other countries. However, we should be experiencing full participation in all aspects of life – including education, employment, healthcare, recreation, housing and financial stability.
Now, I could list a range of statistics here that indicate that this is not the case, and in my current role I get to see these numbers on a regular basis. But this is more of a personal post, so here is a link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/about
So why have I been struggling to embrace the IDPwD?
I acknowledge that there are many people with disabilities in Australia who will have many varied experiences when talking about their own lives. Some will do so with positivity and others respond with a more negative tone, leaving others somewhere in between. Me, I’m ambivalent.
I experience discrimination on a regular basis. I witness vitriol thrown at my colleagues and friends because of their disability. I read the lateral violence that comes our way, and I see the impact it has on us.
We are in the trenches fighting for the rights of people with disability, or re-fighting battles we thought we had won 40, 30, 20, 10 years ago, and it appears that we have reached a plateau at the most.
I want to believe in us, in Australian society, in the people, in government. I want to get to the point where we no longer have to fight for our inalienable rights. I want a Human Rights Act. I want to stop and take a breath and say, “job done.”
Maybe then I will be able to fully embrace the IDPwD or, better yet, there will no longer be a need for this day!?
Today is International Day of People with Disability.
A special and important day to celebrate our community, and promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
Together let’s remind the world, that true social progress only happens when every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate fully and equally in society.
Intopia, Australia’s leading digital accessibility consultancy, has launched the Assistive Technology Survey 2025, a study designed to capture how Australians and New Zealanders use, access and experience assistive technology.
Coinciding with International Day of People With Disability (#IDPWD), the launch of this Survey highlights the importance of listening to lived experiences to drive real change.
Now in its third year, the Assistive Technology Survey is the first and only survey of its kind, building a robust evidence base to help inform policy, product design and accessibility innovation across Australia and New Zealand.
The survey seeks input from anyone living in Australia or New Zealand, aged 18 or over, who uses assistive technology or adaptive strategies to make their devices easier to use. This could include people with disability, older people, allied health professionals, educators and support workers.
Insights will help identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring assistive technology is inclusive, effective and accessible for everyone.
Survey details:
Open: 3 December 2025
Close: 6 February 2025
Duration: Approximately 15 to 25 minutes to complete
Participation is open to anyone in Australia who uses or supports assistive technology. All responses are anonymous and confidential.
To take part in the Assistive Technology Survey 2025, please go to:
For more information, please contact:
Jacinta Gregory
Inclusive Research Consultant, Intopia
ATSurvey@intopia.digital
intopia.digital
This coming Wednesday (3rd December) marks the 2025 International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
As a day recognised annually through the United Nations (UN) internationally, this important event works to promote community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
Since it’s inception in 1992, the IDPwD runs a theme each year. This year’s theme is
“Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
With 5.5 million people in Australia living with disability, this Wednesday government, schools, organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals will work together to help promote and raise awareness of this day.
Events are being run throughout Australia. You can find out what’s happening in your local area by going to:
www.idpwd.com.au/events/calendar/
So what are you going to be doing to recognise IDPwD this year?
CAN YOU HELP?
Public consultation has now opened around the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee’s review of supports in their efforts to ensure that they are safe, beneficial and cost-effective for people with disability.
Input from the disability community will work towards the committee’s advice to government to improve outcomes for NDIS participants.
The Committee would like to hear from people who:
This includes:
Supports the Committee will be reviewing include:
If you use these supports or other supports for similar goals, they want to hear from you.
For more information go to:
https://consultations.health.gov.au/evidence-advisory-committee-eac/december-2025
Public consultation is open until 11:59 pm AEDT on 20 January 2026.
DUE TO OUR UPCOMING AGM, THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SOCIAL HOUR BINGO HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER
6pm VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS
5:30pm SA
5pm QLD
4:30pm NT
3pm WA
It’ll be great fun with some incredible prizes up for grabs.
To join us YOU MUST BE A PDA MEMBER, but signing up is QUICK, FREE and EASY if you reside in Australia and either live with a physical disability or are a friend, family member or carer of someone who does, or if you work in the disability sector.
Just click on the link in our bio or go to pda.org.au/membership/.
Following registration for our Christmas Bingo event (and confirmation of your PDA Membership) you will be emailed through your recorded Bingo Cards.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS EVENT STRICTLY CLOSE ON FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER AT 5PM AEDT.
To register go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc–qqjkjG903J2KoieI9ASVSig7b4mxr
See you there with your Santa hat, eggnog and festive spirit.
CALLING ALL PDA MEMBERS.
Have you registered for PDA’s upcoming AGM?
Have you set up a proxy vote if you’re unable to attend?
Are you wanting to nominate for a role on PDA’s board?
PDA’s 2025 AGM is scheduled for Saturday 6th December 2025
2pm NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS
1:30pm SA
1pm QLD
12:30pm NT
11am WA
It will be held online via Zoom.
To register your attendance, please go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JAuZAeuaRJi9-31_FUlozA?os=ipad#/registration
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meeting documents will be circulated ahead of the AGM.
If you are unable to attend, but wish to nominate a fellow PDA member to vote on your behalf, you will need to fill out a ‘Proxy Appointment Form’ by close of business on Friday 28 November. This has been emailed out to members. If you have not yet received this form, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
We are also calling for nominations for the following board positions:
These positions can be applied for by FULL VOTING MEMBERS (People with a physical disability).
If you are interested in becoming part of PDA’s Board, we invite you to nominate by filling in and returning the ‘Nomination Form’ by close of business on Friday 28 November. This has been emailed out to members. If you have not yet received this form, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
We really look forward to you joining us at our AGM and saying “hi”.
1800 732 674
