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.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission wants your feedback is on the NDIS Practice Standards.
The NDIS Practice Standards are the mandatory quality and safety benchmarks that registered NDIS providers must meet when delivering services to NDIS participants.
Covering areas like participant rights, provider governance, and specific types of support (including behavior support and early childhood services), these standards are designed to ensure participants receive high-quality, safe, and person-centered support that respects their choices and dignity.
Public consultation is now open and NDIS participants, families, providers and the wider community are invited to share their feedback on the draft redesigned NDIS Practice Standards.
Consultation is open until 14 November 2025.
So how can you get involved?
You can:
More information on the public consultation process is available at: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/ndis-regulatory-reform/ndis-practice-standards-reform
🌻 This week marks Invisible Disabilities Week.🌻
Invisible disabilities can include cognitive, neurological, sensory, mental health and chronic conditions, and these may not be immediately apparent.
With around 85% of people living with a disability having one that isn’t necessarily visible, it’s important to show kindness, understanding and support without judgment and assumptions.
The sunflower lanyard helps to identify those who may need assistance, additional consideration and simply enables them to be seen and supported.
Together let’s build a more inclusive community.
The NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme has updated its Pricing Arrangements and Pricing Limits document.
The changes will take place from 24 November 2025.
Based on feedback, they’re sharing the updates now. This means you and your family can plan how you want to use your funding.
What’s changing?
What happens next?
For more information, visit the NDIS’ pricing arrangements page – https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements
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:
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:
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:
The event will include:
The sessions will also be recorded, so you can watch later if needed.
As we move towards the end of National Carers Week (October 12th to 18th 2025), we invite you to join us in celebrating the special people in our lives who give their time, energy and love in caring for others.
Over 3 million Australians are carers – including parents, partners, children, friends and neighbours – assisting others in their everyday needs.
These incredible individuals are often the quiet heroes amongst us and during this special week (and always) we would like to say “thank you”.
If you have a special person who makes your life easier, who you’d like to recognise and celebrate, we invite you to do so here.
#nationalcarersweek #nationalcarersweek2025
October is Australia’s Mental Health Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about mental health and remind us of the importance of prioritising mental health – especially during moments of difficulty or high stress.
With everyone dealing with the challenges of life, it’s sometimes difficult for us to allow time to focus on our own wellbeing and to put ourselves first.
Use today to give yourself a break, to just breathe and to give self-care and support to your mental health.
If you, or someone near you, is needing help today or any day, please speak with a healthcare professional, family member or friend or contact
because we’re all worth it.
We also invite you to join us TONIGHT (at 6pm AEST) at our free webinar highlighting the connection between physical disability and mental health challenges, and providing information and support.
To register, please go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rly2wyx3RaKD53KiY3CL0Q?
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.
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?
1800 732 674
