It is with immense sadness that Physical Disability Australia (PDA) today farewells their inaugural CEO, Jeremy Mark Muir.
Jeremy began this role in January 2025, after deservedly being selected from an incredibly talented and worthy list of applicants.
Stepping in to this role, Jeremy quickly made a positive impression – both within our organisation, within the disability sector and in our community.
Working to strengthen PDA’s reputation and standing as a credible and meaningful organisation, Jeremy established strong working relationships with fellow disability Representative Organisations, government bodies, and individuals working within the sector.
His leadership abilities and caring nature quickly built up rapport and respect both within the organisation’s staff, amongst our members and with most of the board.
To say that PDA has lost one of its most valuable assets is an underestimation.
It has been an absolute honour, privilege and pleasure to have worked with Jeremy during his short, yet incredibly effective time leading PDA.
We are grateful for having experienced Jeremy’s leadership, friendship and benefitting from the values and lessons he has quietly inspired in us to be the best that we can be professionally and the best that we should aspire to be as humans.
Jeremy, the staff of PDA wish you nothing but happiness, good health and a shiny future – in whatever that holds.
Your imprint on Physical Disability Australia will never be tarnished and we are grateful for our brief time with you as the Captain steering PDA forward for the betterment of all Australians living with disability.
With love and utmost respect,
The Staff
Physical Disability Australia
“As previously stated on 16th February, I have resigned from my role as CEO of PDA, with this becoming effective on Friday 13th March 2026.
Having only been in the position for just over a year, I certainly did not envisage leaving so soon. My decision to resign was exceedingly difficult as I believe the work achieved by the staff of PDA over the last year has been exceptional, with webinars; submissions; a member’s survey; Social Hours; Physical Disability Awareness Day; presenting at conferences/forums; Senate Committees; with over a 1000 hours spent at meetings fighting the good fight. I’m exhausted just thinking about it all. We are a smaller DRO, but there is nothing small about our impact and influence. Natasha Nobay, Sarah McInnes and Trish Johnson have contributed so much to PDA’s status as a leading, truly national Disability Representative Organisation (DRO) and I cannot thank them enough for their work ethic, their commitment, their support and their friendship. They were the reason resigning was so difficult. I will miss their humour, their encouragement, and the fact that each of them are wonderful individuals.
It is important that I acknowledge that being part of a volunteer Board takes time, energy and commitment and I applaud those Board members who engaged with the work and direction of PDA and the support that these individuals showed to me. I will say that I take full responsibility for being unable to maintain a strong, trusting, collaborative working relationship with the full Board.
I am old, I am dispensable and I am replaceable, and for most I will become a distant memory. I have tried to do the best job I can for the PDA members and for people living with disabilities, with a focus on improving the rights across all areas for our cohort. I have tried to work with humility, with kindness and with honesty and to be true to who I am. I was never the smartest person in the room, but I strive to never be self-serving, cruel, or dismissive. You do not choose to work in the disability field for self-gratification or reward and certainly not for financial gain. You do so because you believe in the cause, you believe that people with disabilities deserve better rights, better access, better treatment, and better inclusion. This is what I have been fighting to achieve for 40 years (told you I was old).
One of the joys in my role was the opportunity to meet and collaborate with some brilliant advocates within the DRO space. I paled into insignificance when I was in their presence (mainly online); their intelligence, their advocacy skills, their strategic thinking, left me in awe. I could only dream of reaching their heights and I was honoured to sit amongst them representing PDA for the brief time that I did. One of my biggest regrets is not meeting them all in person, which is on me but fortunately the online meeting space still afforded me the opportunity to listen and learn and get to know them a little. For all this, I thank them.
As many of my DRO colleagues will know, working in this space does come with its challenges, which brings me to why I resigned. It is naïve of me, but when you take on any position, you do not expect to experience threats, bullying and lateral violence, and you certainly do not expect it to come from within your own cohort. You also do not expect inaction from those who can put a stop to it or prevent it. I am not as resilient as I once was, and I decided I did not want to continue working under those conditions.
I am not sure what comes next for me. I do feel as if a have let several people down, for which I am deeply sorry. I need to take some time to reflect and heal and to come to terms with my decision. We will see what happens when I come out the other side.
I will continue to support PDA and the important work that it does just a tad more quietly. Thank you for opportunity to represent our community.
Until next time, so long and thanks for all the fish.
Jeremy Muir“
PDA’s 18-30 year old initiative has rebranded and will now be known as PDA Youth Network.
This decision was made following feedback and discussion from members and the Committee.
We believe that this new name positively reflects the importance and need for PDA’s younger members having their own community that understands the needs and wants of young Australian adults living with physical disability.
With your help, we want to build up PDA Youth Network and make it truly representative of you, our fellow members.
So we ask our 18-30 year old members to get on board and help. Whether this means joining one of our regular Zoom sessions (now every third Thursday of the month – see below*), getting involved on our committee, sharing your ideas, posting on our Facebook group page or inviting your friends to join our Youth Network.
Our *Zoom sessions will now be known as “Hangouts” and will run every third Thursday of the month at 7pm AEDT. Our next Hangout will be on Thursday 18th February and you can register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrc-GqrDwpHdWVcSOD2mVq4XbwP9P2ZOv4
Catch up with friends. Make new friends. Get social. Have fun.
7pm Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne/Hobart
6:30pm Adelaide
6pm Brisbane
5:30pm Darwin
4pm Perth
Wherever you want to be involved, we welcome you to play a part in making the Youth Network as strong, relevant, fun and worthwhile as possible.
Send us an email at promotion@pda.org.au or a DM.
We look forward to working with you.
Kathryn, Jonathan and Nick
“Days like Physical Disability Awareness Day are important, because they connect the world to the journeys of people with physical disability. It’s how the world moves forward, to make a better life for everyone. However, storytelling is an important part of awareness. For people with disability, creative events is one way to tell stories, to bring awareness to the world, to create unity and inclusion.” ~ Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
On Sunday 1st February 2026 at 2pm AEDT, PDA will be hosting the 4th annual Physical Disability Awareness Day online DisabiliTEA.
This important day celebrates the contributions, challenges, and unique experiences of people with physical disabilities, aiming to foster inclusivity, challenge stigmas, advocate for better accessibility and bring together community.
The theme for 2026 is “Creative Possibilities” and we will be showcasing some incredible people who have accomplished careers in the creative and artistic space, including literature, media production and performance art. With creativity also encompassing the ability to generate new, original, and valuable ideas or solutions, this year’s theme is particularly relevant to those within the disability community who often use imagination to find new ways and thinking to solve problems or express themselves.
To register for the online DisabiliTEA event, make sure that you head across to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/q3wGsKsUSga_rmddVY_lmw?os=ipad#/registration
NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS 2pm
SA: 1.30pm
QLD: 1pm
NT: 12.30pm
WA: 11am
It is with great pleasure that we announce our speaker lineup:
As well as hearing from these incredible speakers, this free event will feature a fun bingo event with great prizes.
Join us to celebrate Physical Disability Awareness Day – a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and be united in their support for Australia’s physical disability community.
GROUP EVENT REGISTRATIONS – Registered DisabiliTEA individuals running group events with 4 or more registered attendees who attend, will go into the draw to win a $100 Prezzee gift card to be divided/distributed by winning registered host at the discretion of those attending the winning group event.
We look forward to having you join us to celebrate Physical Disability Awareness Day 2026.
Together let’s grow and strengthen Physical Disability Awareness Day by making some noise, being seen, being recognised, being considered and being celebrated.
For news and updates on what’s happening near you and how you can be involved, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
If you would like to run your own Physical Disability Awareness Day event or would like to be involved in the organising committee for next year, please email promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 732 674.
#PDAD2026 #PhysicalDisabilityAwarenessDay #PhysicalDisabilityAwarenessDay2026 #PDAD #CreativePossibilities
On Sunday February 1st 2026, Physical Disability Australia (PDA) will be hosting the fourth Physical Disability Awareness Day and you’re invited to join the celebrations.
Established by PDA in 2023 after seeing a gap in the awareness calendar for highlighting physical disabilities, this very special day brings attention to people living with physical disability, their contributions and the many conditions that fall under the physical disability umbrella.
The day also provides a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and be united in their support for Australia’s physical disability community.
Our online DisabiliTEA event will once be held, this time with a fun disability themed Bingo session (with some fantastic prizes) and some amazing guest speakers who will share their stories.
NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS 2pm
SA: 1.30pm
QLD: 1pm
NT: 12.30pm
WA: 11am
To register for the online DisabiliTEA event, please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/q3wGsKsUSga_rmddVY_lmw
GROUP EVENT REGISTRATIONS – Registered DisabiliTEA individuals running group events with 4 or more registered attendees who attend, will go into the draw to win a $100 Prezzee gift card to be divided/distributed by winning registered host at the discretion of those attending the winning group event.
We look forward to having you join us to celebrate Physical Disability Awareness Day 2026.
Together let’s grow and strengthen Physical Disability Awareness Day by making some noise, being seen, being recognised, being considered and being celebrated.
For news and updates on what’s happening near you and how you can be involved, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
If you would like to run your own Physical Disability Awareness Day event or would like to be involved in the organising committee for next year, please email Natasha Nobay (Communications and Engagement Manager, Physical Disability Australia) at promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 732 674.
IMAGE: The Physical Disability Awareness Day logo is made up of many diamond/square shaped leaves made up of the colours of the rainbow. Over the top of this sits the words “Physical Disability Awareness Day” in white text. The inclusion of many colours within the logo represent the many different physical disabilities, encapsulated in the purple associated with disability representation. The leaves (squares) pointing inwards within the overall image signify the unity and support within the physical disability community and wider public, and the pointing out of leaves symbolise the need to raise awareness and to increase support, inclusion and acceptance moving forwards.
On behalf of the PDA staff and Board, I’d like to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (both are good) to all those who have supported PDA throughout 2025, those who have worked alongside us towards our cause for better human rights, improved participation and less discrimination for those of us living with a physical disability, our families and friends.
We may not shout the work that we do from the roof tops or seek recognition or acknowledgement for our efforts but that does not lessen the importance or significance of what we do.
To our members, thank you for believing in us.
We look to 2026 knowing that we still have work to do.
We will do this work with humility and understand the privilege bestowed on us in our roles.
Merry Christmas to one and to all.
Jeremy Muir
On Sunday February 1st 2026, Physical Disability Australia (PDA) will be hosting the fourth Physical Disability Awareness Day.
Established by PDA in 2023 after seeing a gap in the awareness calendar for highlighting physical disabilities, this very special day brings attention to people living with physical disability, their contributions and the many conditions that fall under the physical disability umbrella.
The day also provides a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and be united in their support for Australia’s physical disability community.
The ever popular online DisabiliTEA event will once be held, this time with a fun disability themed Bingo session (with some fantastic prizes) and some amazing guest speakers who will share their stories.
The Bingo host and caller will be Robert Wise, Physical Disability Awareness Day Committee member and PDA Board representative.
NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS 2pm
SA: 1.30pm
QLD: 1pm
NT: 12.30pm
WA: 11am
Feel free to pour yourself a cold drink or make yourself a cuppa as you enjoy a fun line up of guests and fun disability themed bingo games.
To register for the online DisabiliTEA event, please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/q3wGsKsUSga_rmddVY_lmw
GROUP EVENT REGISTRATIONS – Registered DisabiliTEA individuals running group events with 4 or more registered attendees who actually show up, will go into the draw to win a $100 Prezzee gift card to be divided/distributed by winning registered host at the discretion of those attending the winning group event.
We look forward to having you join us to celebrate Physical Disability Awareness Day 2026.
Together let’s grow and strengthen Physical Disability Awareness Day by making some noise, being seen, being recognised, being considered and being celebrated.
For news and updates on what’s happening near you and how you can be involved, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
If you would like to run your own Physical Disability Awareness Day event or would like to be involved in the organising committee for next year, please email Natasha Nobay (Communications and Engagement Manager, Physical Disability Australia) at promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 732 674.
IMAGE: The Physical Disability Awareness Day logo is made up of many diamond/square shaped leaves made up of the colours of the rainbow. Over the top of this sits the words “Physical Disability Awareness Day” in white text. The inclusion of many colours within the logo represent the many different physical disabilities, encapsulated in the purple associated with disability representation. The leaves (squares) pointing inwards within the overall image signify the unity and support within the physical disability community and wider public, and the pointing out of leaves symbolise the need to raise awareness and to increase support, inclusion and acceptance moving forwards.
PDA’s Board and Staff wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of happiness, wonderful memories, good health and great times.
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.
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
1800 732 674
