Created in 1948, World Health Day was established on April 7th and dates the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Recognised annually, this anniversary prioritises a global health issue.
The theme for 2026 is “Together for health. Stand with science” – and focuses on scientific collaboration, achievements, multilateral cooperation and action to tackle health threats, and the need for inclusion and fairness across all facets of healthcare.
For more information go to:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day
#WorldHealthDay
It’s happening on Monday 6th April.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOUR LOCAL TIME MAY HAVE CHANGED DUE TO THE END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS AND THE CLOCKS GOING BACK:
6pm NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS/QLD
5:30pm SA/NT
4:00pm WA
Our Social Hours are held on the first Monday of the month and are a great chance to hang out with some wonderful people for a chat, laugh, sharing and advice.
If you haven’t yet joined us at a Social Hour, we encourage you to check it out.
If you’re one of our regulars, we look forward to seeing you there.
To register, go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc–qqjkjG903J2KoieI9ASVSig7b4mxr?os=ipad#/registration
PDA’s Deferred AGM (financial year 2024/25) is scheduled for Thursday 23rd April at 6:30pm AEDT and will be held via MS Teams.
Part of the agenda involves finding Directors for both South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Board is calling on people living with a physical disability who are residing in the NT or SA to nominate for these positions.
If you are eligible and interested in joining PDA’s Board, want to make a positive contribution to Australia’s disability sector and are eager to be part of a recognised and well respected disability representative organisation, we invite you to nominate.
You do need to be a Full PDA member (person living with a physical disability) but, if you’re not already part of our organisation, you can sign up for free membership by going to www.pda.org.au/membership. Once you have done so, please email promotion@pda.org.au to express your interest in nominating for either the SA or NT Directorship.
Existing PDA Members have been emailed information on this upcoming meeting – including Nomination and Proxy Forms. Please fill in the required form and return as per the detailed instructions. If you are a PDA Member and have not yet received this correspondence, please let us know by emailing promotion@pda.org.au.
Nominations must be received by close of business (5pm AEST) Thursday 16th April 2026.
140 advocacy groups completed the survey, representing approximately 35% of the estimated workforce. 48 individual advocacy organisations also took part, with every state and territory included in responses received.
Revealing a strong sector, fuelled by expertise and commitment, findings also reflected the strains of rising demand, funding uncertainty and strain on the available workforce.
To read this report, go to:
www.ncda.org.au/advocacy-sector-workforce-survey-2025-results-report/
Notice is hereby given that the Deferred Annual General Meeting of Physical Disability Australia Ltd (financial year 2024/25) will now be held on:
Thursday 23rd April 2026
6:30pm to 7pm AEDT
Location – Online via MS Teams
PDA Members have been emailed information on this upcoming meeting. If you are a PDA Member and have not yet received this correspondence, please let us know by emailing promotion@pda.org.au.
We look forward to seeing Members at this meeting.
Today PDA’s star Policy/Project Officer, Sarah McInnes, was part of the NDRP’s “Evidence to Action: Accessible and Inclusive Communities” which explored the importance of changing community attitudes to improve genuine inclusion and accessibility within our communities.
As always, Sarah spoke eloquently, with conviction and with understanding around what is needed to achieve a society that is truly inclusive and respectful and which sees and utilises the value of everyone.
To watch her talk, go to:
She comes in at 18:16.
Prior to his resignation as PDA CEO taking effect, Jeremy Muir was interviewed by the “Saturday Paper” in regards to increased technology and surveillance by major retailers to reduce shoplifting.
This story went to print on Saturday.
With proposed “upgrades” bringing added inconvenience and potential safety issues to people living with disability or mobility issues, should these decisions be better considered?
Do you think that retail management needs to look at better options?
Physical Disability Australia Ltd (PDA)’s incredible Policy/Project Officer, Sarah McInnes, will feature in a video discussing the importance of changing community attitudes to improve genuine inclusion and accessibility within our communities at National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP)’s upcoming “Evidence to Action: Accessible and Inclusive Communities”.
Monday 23 March 2026, 12:30-2:30pm AEDT
Held online via Zoom. Free to join.
Auslan, captions and screen breaks provided.
The conversation will around the question “what makes a community genuinely accessible and inclusive, and what evidence are we missing to get there?”
Speakers will include:
To register, go to:
https://content.ndrp.org.au/evidence-to-action-register-now
You may have noticed a new addition to our recent social posts, in the way of a new logo in the bottom right hand corner of our images.
As part of PDA’s 30th year, a new look was commissioned with our logo and also as a refresh of our website to meet our needs and also strengthen our organisation as we move forwards.
Working with our project partners, FivebyFive, over the past eight months, we are now proud to officially launch the new website and our new logo.
The creation of the website has been a collaboration in design, concept and structure with the new site having a fresh, exciting new look that is both informative and accessible.
In recognition of PDA’s heritage logo, the new PDA logo uses the traditional purple associated with disability and combines with a vibrant and fresh green to denote growth and moving forwards.
The image with its soft curves demonstrates activity and movement with conviction and flow. The person like image in purple deliberately spreads and reaches across the green of Australia, with the curves indicating physical movement and presence. ‘Physical Disability’ is emboldened to clearly indicate who we are, our strength and our courage.
This logo was chosen as it positively reflects PDA as a truly national organisation with coverage across the entire country.
Armed with 30 years of history as a leading force representing Australians living with physical disability, PDA looks toward a future that grows our organisation and improves the lives of our members and the wider disability community.
We invite you to explore our “new” website.
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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
1800 732 674
