In our latest Member Update, Jeremy Muir (CEO), Sharon Boyce (President) and our recently appointed Policy/Project Officer, Sarah McInnes, share what they’ve recently been up to in the systemic advocacy space and how PDA is punching above its weight in participation, input and output.
You can read it by going to:
https://www.pda.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/September-2025-PDA-Member-Update-3.pdf
These are just a few areas of mental health that can surface when you also live with physical disability – or any disability, or even life itself.
It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone goes through times of personal struggle. The stigma unfairly attached to mental health comes from not understanding, often making people feel distressed, alone and not wanting to ask for help.
Whilst this is slowly changing, there is still so much that can be and needs to be done to support people who experience mental health concerns.
With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, and with mental stress being an unwanted visitor in the lives of many within our community, on Wednesday 1st October (6pm AEST) we are hosting a webinar around the impact of disability on mental health.
With a panel of experts with both lived and professional experience and knowledge on the subject, this presentation will highlight the issue, provide advice and support and bring together Australians living with disability and their support networks to better understand and combat mental challenges.
So whether you are a person with disability, a carer, family member, friend or service provider who has experienced mental health issues or supported someone who has, if you want to know what help is available, learn how others dealt with difficult times or just want to feel heard, understood and supported, this webinar is for you.
You can read about our esteemed panelists by going to:
www.pda.org.au/2025/09/12/youre-invited-to-our-webinar-the-impact-of-disability-on-mental-health/
We encourage you to register for the webinar, by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rly2wyx3RaKD53KiY3CL0Q
To address questions and experiences of those attending our webinar, we invite attendees to share these on registering. Anonymous contributions are welcome if preferred.
The opportunity to ask questions will also be made available during the webinar. However, these questions will be answered dependent on time constraints.
Please join us in this important conversation.
It’s a group that includes 24 participants and carers from across Australia.
Together, they help to ensure that the NDIA hears and understands real experiences of the disability community which works to help improve the NDIS.
This collaboration includes:
They’re looking for new members to join the group for 2026 and 2027.
Some current members are finishing their 2-year term.
Most of the group will stay the same.
The group runs online meetings (using MS Teams) for up to two hours, once a month from February to December each year.
The group also meets in-person up to 4 times a year. However, if you are unable to travel, you can choose to attend this meeting online.
The in-person meetings are usually held over 2 days in different capital cities around Australia.
Payments and supports
Members of the Participant Reference Group are paid for their time.
Members who attend a meeting will be paid for their contributions in line with the Australian Government’s Remuneration Tribunal determination.
Any supports needed to help you to take part will be provided (including translation and interpreting, live captioning and a support person).
Membership of the Participant Reference Group will be for 2 years.
So who can apply?
This opportunity is open to:
For more information or to register your interest in being involved, go to:
To join the group, you must also be a part of the Participant First Engagement Initiative. If you’re not already a member, please fill out a Participant Information form by going to:
https://myform.ndis.gov.au/?src=https://forms.ndis.gov.au/external/participantfirstinformationform
If you have any questions, please email participant.engagement@ndis.gov.au.
Expressions of interest close Sunday, 28 September 2025.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about and breaking the stigma around mental health within our community.
Research has shown that people living with disabilities experience greater and more frequent mental distress than those without disabilities.
A recent PDA survey also revealed that mental health was a dominant theme and area of concern for our members and for the disability community.
In response to this significant, and often overlooked, area of concern, PDA has put together a webinar around the impact of disability on mental health to highlight the issue and to provide advice and support both to Australians living with disability and their support networks.
Scheduled for Wednesday 1st October at 6pm AEST, this webinar panel is comprised of a number of esteemed, experienced and interesting speakers – from the areas of lived experience, professionals within the counselling and mental health fields, researchers and advocates.
We are excited to annnounce our presenters – Dr Chithrani Palipana, Kerry Hawkins, Dr Glenda Bishop, Zoe Aitken and PDA’s own Jeremy Muir.
Chithrani will be sharing her lived experience both as a carer and as a professional working in the areas of counselling and disability advocacy. As loving mother to PDA’s Ambassador, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, Chithrani has been dedicated and fundamental in supporting Dinesh in his life journey as a quadriplegic and wonderful achievements as a doctor, lawyer, researcher and disability advocate. Her insights as a carer will explore not only Dinesh’s challenges in coming to terms with his disability, but also looking after her own mental health and the impetus that both of these experiences had in her becoming a rehabilitation counsellor for people with disabilities.
Kerry Hawkins is another of our speakers who has a wealth of experience in the mental health field and providing support to individuals and their families experiencing mental health issues. As CEO of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA), Kerry brings extensive leadership experience across community, government, and lived experience sectors.
Glenda Bishop is a Research Fellow in the Disability and Health Unit at The University of Melbourne. Undertaking research that works to reduce health inequalities for people with disability, Glenda investigates how societal influences, such as government policies and the access to the health system, affect people’s mental health. As a person with disability, Glenda seeks to focus her research on health issues of relevance to the disability community.
Zoe Aitken also works at the University of Melbourne. Leading a program of research on reducing health inequalities, her work focuses on understanding the poor mental health experienced by people with disability and identifying solutions to address the inequalities by taking action on modifiable social determinants of health.
PDA’s CEO, Jeremy Muir, was left with a spinal injury following a car accident at 19 years of age. Coming to terms with his new life as a quadriplegic brought many mental, emotional, and physical challenges. Struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts and his new reality, Jeremy battled both acceptance of his disability and the black dog, coming out the other side more resilient, much stronger and even more independent. Through the love and support of family and friends, support networks and his own strength of character Jeremy’s story is powerful, deeply human and gives hope to others.
We encourage you to register for the webinar, by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rly2wyx3RaKD53KiY3CL0Q
To address questions and experiences of those attending our webinar, we invite attendees to share these on registering. Anonymous contributions are welcome if preferred.
The opportunity to ask questions will also be made available during the webinar. However, these questions will be answered dependent on time constraints.
Please join us in this important conversation.
PDA’s CEO, Jeremy Muir, was a recent guest on Navigating Disability’s popular podcast.
We admit to being a biased crew here in the PDA office, but we think this interview is so powerful and simply confirms our superfan view of Jeremy.
Interviewed by Kate Read and Jenn Abbott, this podcast explores Jeremy’s life both before and after acquiring his disability, where his life has taken him and how he came to a place where he is proud of what he’s achieved and who he has become.
It’s now available to view on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQK9C55JbI4) and is particularly relevant to share with you on #ruok day.
We encourage you to check it out.
“At just 19, Jeremy Muir’s life changed forever after a car accident left him with a spinal cord injury. But as Jeremy says, “Why not me?”, a question that became a driving force behind his journey of resilience, reflection, and radical independence.
In this powerful episode, Jeremy opens up about the mental, emotional, and physical challenges of adapting to life as a quadriplegic. From his early struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, to building a fulfilling life filled with love, purpose, and advocacy, Jeremy’s story is both deeply human and extraordinarily hopeful.
We talk candidly about the gaps in mental health support, life before the NDIS, navigating relationships, and why disability must never be an afterthought in society. His reflections remind us that inclusion isn’t just a policy, it’s a mindset and a responsibility we all share.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses topics related to depression and suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
🎧 Join us for this emotionally rich episode that will leave you inspired to listen more, judge less, and advocate fiercely.”
Today is R U OK? day, a national day to remind all Australians to ask “are you OK?”
The past few years have definitely thrown curve balls at a lot of us.
With ongoing concerns around COVID, changes to the NDIS, increased cost of living, juggling finances, the stresses of health, relationships, employment, accommodation and general day to day issues, it’s not surprising that life can now be more of a struggle.
Because of this, now more than ever, we need to be checking in on those around us and asking three simple words “are you okay?”
Many of us are good at masking our struggles, both to others and ourselves, so don’t assume that someone is coping just because they appear happy. Just reach out and take the time to show that you care – both today and everyday.
Even just being given time and consideration by someone can make all the difference to a person’s day – regardless of whether or not they’re dong okay.
We all need to feel seen, cared for and made to feel worthy and there’s no shame in needing support with our mental health and wellbeing.
Start a conversation or reach out if you need help.
If you find that someone is struggling with life – listen, give your time and point them towards extra help if they need it.
Lifeline 13 11 14 (www.lifeline.org.au)
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 (www.beyondblue.org.au)
headspace 1800 650 890 (www.headspace.org.au)
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 (www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au)
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 (www.relationships.org.au)
National Debt Helpline (03) 9421 7640 (www.ndh.org.au)
Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 (www.gamblinghelponline.org.au)
R U OK?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this release contains names and references to people who have died.
New court filing has exposed a pattern of fatal restraints for First Nations people with disability that has been hidden.
This information surfaced after court documents revealed a young Aboriginal man died of acute respiratory failure, the result of being held in a bear hug with a knee to his back whilst in the care of registered NDIS provider Life Without Barriers in Alice Springs.
FPDN’s statement tells of the devastating pattern of preventable deaths, and sets out Non-Negotiable Demands for Immediate Action.
“ ‘FPDN asks all allies to elevate the voice of Mob in recognising that too many First Nations people with disability are on a predictable pathway to premature death, created by catastrophic and intersecting failures across Australia’s disability, guardianship, and justice systems.’ “
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is currently being reviewed by the Attorney-General’s Department, and your input is needed.
The review will look at the 15 recommendations which were highlighted in the 2023 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
You can read more about the review by going to:
Public consultation on the review is now open and there are 3 ways to share your views:
Consultation is open until 24 October 2025.
The government invites the following groups to share their views on this important area for reform:
This consultation process is the first stage of public engagement and there will be further opportunities to participate.
More information can also be found at:
https://consultations.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/dda-issues-paper
PDA’s CEO, Jeremy Muir, states “we believe that QLD’s opting out of the Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) would be a giant step backwards not only for Queenslanders living with a disability, but for the community in general – whether at this time or in the future.
With an ageing population, the Brisbane Paralympics being held in 2032, and QLD’s population growth heavily influenced by people from the southern states moving to QLD to enjoy our lifestyle, this move appears counter-productive, bad business and not forward thinking.
We stand by QDN’s statement that “accessible housing isn’t a luxury, it is a basic human right”. “
qdn.org.au/our-advocacy/campaigns/elections/keep-livable-design-standards/
We recently ran our 2025 Membership Drive.
As part of this, we had 2x $100 Prezzee gift card prizes up for grabs: one for new members and the other for existing members who updated their membership details.
Thank you to everyone who took part in this annual event.
We have drawn our 2 category winners by random generator and are proud to announce that Nicholas and Linda are the lucky winners in our prize draw.
A big congratulations to you both.
For those of you who are not yet PDA members, you’re invited to sign up for our free membership by going to pda.org.au/membership.
We look forward to welcoming you as part of our community.
