People with disability can sometimes be vulnerable to unfair treatment at work. As people living with disability, we’ve all heard the stories – some of us might even have personal experience of poor treatment.
On Wednesday 19th March at 6:30pm (AEST) – Joseph Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), will be joining us to talk about the work unions are doing to ensure the rights of workers are upheld including specific work that supports people with disability.
It is important to remember that everyone has a number of basic rights at work, including:
Without the work of unions and union members over the last century, we wouldn’t have many of the conditions we take for granted today – the eight hour day, paid sick leave, parental leave, superannuation, penalty rates and fair pay.
This webinar is a must for anyone interested gaining a better understanding of workplace rights. Even if you are retired, you might pick up important points that could help friends and family members.
To register for this webinar, go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bOuj9sSPTF6pF4dRKiBfvA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have any questions around employment that you would like Joseph to answer, please email promotion@pda.org.au or ask a question via the online chat during the webinar.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about your rights in the workplace.
The AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) is working hard to provide equitable access to voting for people with disability.
With the federal election looming, they have provided a range of accessible information and services that will be available to support participation.
Recent changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act have modernised language, and enhanced access to voter services by broadening the eligibility criteria for postal and pre-poll voting to include people with disability and their carers.
Alternative voting options are available for people unable to attend a polling place or those who cannot vote on election day. These include:
Accessibility of services
The AEC’s commitment to increase the number of accessible polling places for the next election will see around 7,000 polling places for the 2025 election for both early voting and on election day. Of these approximately 43% will be fully wheelchair accessible and a further 48% will have assisted wheelchair access.
Once the election has been called, locations and hours of polling places will be published on the ‘Where to vote’ tool on the AEC website (https://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/). This will include the accessibility rating and services for each polling place so that voters are able to make informed decisions about the most appropriate polling place to visit.
The AEC will also maintain the use of assistive technology including:
Physical Disability Australia – PDA will provide updates as they are made available.
The effervescent Rayna Lamb was a guest speaker at our Physical Disability Awareness Day’s online DisabiliTEA event on February 2nd 2025.
She shared her story and gave cautionary advice on avoiding burnout and always being mindful of our health and wellbeing.
To watch this great talk, click below
Whilst you’re there, we invite you to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel.
The charismatic Peter Tully spoke at this year’s Physical Disability Awareness Day’s online DisabiliTEA event around his personal story and how through sharing our experiences and being involved in co-design can lead to positive change.
To watch this great talk, click below.
Whilst you’re there, we invite you to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel.
The fabulous Alyce Nelligan was one of the guest speakers at this year’s Physical Disability Awareness Day’s online DisabiliTEA event.
She shared her story and her thoughts on the importance of days such as mPhysical Disability Awareness Day in bringing about positive change for all people living with disability.
To watch this great talk, click below.
Whilst you’re there, we invite you to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel.
#physicaldisabilityawarenessday
On Sunday 2nd February we hosted the 3rd Physical Disability Awareness Day and were incredibly fortunate to have four amazing speakers attend our online DisabiliTEA event.
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM (PDA’s Ambassador) was one of these illustrious guests.
Dinesh Palipana joined us whilst on duty in the A&E Department at Gold Coast University Hospital. He shared his thoughts around his recent 15 year anniversary of becoming a quadriplegic, where he believes things need to change in regards to healthcare and other issues of concern to people living with disability and how we can help to drive positive change.
A big thanks to you Dinesh for joining us on the day and his ongoing support of PDA and Australia’s disability community.
It is with great sadness that Physical Disability Australia (PDA) announces the resignation of Andrew Fairbairn as Interim Executive Officer.
Andrew joined PDA as a member in 2017 and was asked to join the Board in 2018 as WA Director.
His go getter personality, friendly persona and commitment to the disability community and PDA, quickly saw him voted in to the position of Co-Vice President alongside Talia Spooner-Stewart.
When PDA’s legendary Liz Reid’s maximum tenure as PDA President ended, Andrew’s talents and expertise saw him step into the role. Despite Liz leaving behind big shoes to fill, Andrew confidently and successfully took on the role and, together with an incredible Executive team and Board, steered PDA on to grow even further as a recognised, respected and proactive Disabled Peoples’ Organisation.
Following the departure of PDA’s General Manager, Andrew (at the request and support of the full Board) resigned from his role as President to step in to the role of Interim Executive Officer.
Working alongside and at the helm of a loyal team of staff, Andrew established himself as the face and voice of PDA that was synonymous with disability rights and inclusion. His work with PDA has played a part in guiding PDA as a visible, respected and supportive organisation for people living with physical disability.
Our Board, staff and membership would like to publicly express our thanks to Andrew (on behalf of our organisation, our Members and Australia’s disability community), for his enduring commitment, advocacy work and overall contribution to PDA and Australia’s disability landscape.
Andrew has brought so much to PDA and leaves a legacy that will be difficult to emulate and cannot be erased.
Andrew, wherever your next chapter takes you, we wish you well and know that your professionalism, knowledge, ethics, expertise and personality will shine wherever you go.
The Australia Day 2025 Honours List recognises many incredible Australians who have shown commitment and hard work to earn their place on this esteemed wall of fame.
Of these, PDA wishes to thank and congratulate the following for their commendable contributions to Australia’s disability community:
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Honorary) Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
(Honorary) Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
PDA would also like to raise a glass to everyone else who plays a role in supporting our community. Whether on a big or little scale, your efforts and contributions are recognised, seen and celebrated and we give thanks.
PDA would like to congratulate Neale Daniher for being recognised as 2025 Australian of the Year.
PDA’s CEO, Jeremy Muir, extended his applause for Neale’s well deserved accolade. “PDA would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Neale in his tireless work to find a cure for MND and raise awareness of motor neurone disease. Through his unfailing commitment and drive, he (along with his family, friends and the FightMND Foundation) has not only raised over $100 million dollars of funding to help find a cure for MND, but also highlights the issues that those living with MND and their families face every day. Congratulations Neale.”
PDA would also like to congratulate Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett for being recognised as 2025 Senior Australian of the Year for his dedication providing children around the world with life-changing wheelchairs.
“For those of us who use a wheelchair for our everyday mobility, we understand the importance of having access to the right equipment and applaud Brother Thomas for his efforts in providing over 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs to children in over 80 countries. This life changing program will provide ongoing, meaningful and immeasurable opportunities for years to come. Congratulations Brother Thomas.”
A big congratulations also to the many individuals recognised in the Australia Day Honours List, particularly those working to make a difference within our country’s disability community.
We thank you for your efforts and commitment.
Thank you to Australian of the Year Awards/Australia National Day Council for allowing us to use their photographs (https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients).
CAN YOU PLEASE HELP?
Every year on 3 December, people around the world take part in International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
IDPwD is an opportunity to challenge perceptions and attitudes about people with disability.
In Australia, IDPwD is a joint effort between government, schools, organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals.
We are always looking for ways to make IDPwD better and want to seek feedback from the community through a short survey.
The IDPwD 2024 public survey will be available on our website from Monday 13 January to Sunday 2 February.
The survey contains 14 questions and should take around 10-15 minutes to complete.
The survey is completely anonymous.
Findings from this public survey, alongside an evaluation of our IDPwD communications activities in 2024 and feedback from Disability Representative Organisations, will help inform our approach to IDPwD 2025.
To take part in the survey go to:
www.idpwd.com.au/international-day-of-people-with-disability-idpwd-2024-survey/
If you have any questions, please email idpwd@dss.gov.au
1800 732 674
