NEWS International Day of People with Disability 2025: Advancing Disability Inclusion Through Community, Connection and Quality Support
03 December 2025
International Day of People with Disability 2025: Advancing Disability Inclusion Through Community, Connection and Quality Support
Today we recognise International Day of People with Disability, a United Nations observance that promotes awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. Since 1992, IDPwD has aimed to remove physical, technological and attitudinal barriers that prevent full participation in everyday life.
More than 5.5 million Australians live with disability, and IDPwD brings together government, schools, organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals. It invites all of us to reflect, learn and contribute to a fairer, more inclusive society.
The United Nations theme for 2025
This year’s theme is Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.
Built on the Doha Political Declaration, the theme encourages countries, including Australia, to work together to:
- Remove participation barriers
- Ensure equal access to opportunities
- Create inclusive health, education and community systems
- Strengthen leadership by people with disability
- Address barriers such as poverty, unemployment and discrimination
It is a reminder that meaningful progress requires collective responsibility.
What this means for Australia
Australia continues its commitment through Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, which focuses on improving inclusion and increasing leadership opportunities for people with disability. The strategy guides action across all levels of government and influences how services and systems are delivered.
How Danny Met Sally is honouring IDPwD this year
For Danny Met Sally, inclusion is an everyday commitment. We believe every person deserves personalised support, genuine care and a life shaped by who they are. This year, we honour IDPwD through:
- Championing participant voice: Sharing lived experience through participant profiles, Q&As and community content, with an increased focus on stories that highlight individuality, growth and identity.
- Embedding co-design: Involving participants in shaping services, communication and program development.
- Strengthening representation: Championing staff with lived experience and fostering an inclusive workforce built on empathy and authenticity.
- Enhancing accessible communication: Using clearer language, more visual formats and inclusive design across information and media.
- Delivering person-centred supports: Providing personalised NDIS services across SIL, SDA, STA, In-Home Support, Transport, Community Access, Support Coordination and now Specialist Support Coordination. Our approach is completely tailored, never one-size-fits-all. Every service is shaped around the unique needs, goals and preferences of each individual, maximising inclusivity and ensuring people have the support they need to thrive and live life on their terms.
- Introducing Specialist Support Coordination (SSC): We are now approved to deliver SSC, strengthening our ability to support people with higher or more complex needs through specialised guidance and coordinated care.
- Expanding communication capacity through Auslan training: This year, members of our team completed Auslan training to strengthen communication and connection with participants and families who use sign language. Expanding our staff’s skills in this area helps create more accessible, inclusive interactions and reduces communication barriers.
- Investing in Learning and Development: To ensure exceptional care, we launched our own L&D division and delivered courses including Medication Administration, Complex Bowel Care and Basic Life Support (BLS). Our first in-person BLS competency session marked an important milestone in building a confident and capable workforce.
- Prioritising continuity of care: Creating stable support environments built on safety, trust and long-term relationships.
- Listening deeply: Using participant and family feedback to guide meaningful service improvements.
- Celebrating identity and progress: Recognising achievements across participants, families and staff.
- Expanding community opportunities: Offering opportunities for members of the disability community to get involved in inclusive intiatives through partnerships such as the North Sydney Bears.
- Hosting inclusive local events: Particularly in Canberra, where people connect, learn new skills and build friendships in safe, accessible spaces.
- Strengthening community partnerships: Collaborating with organisations that open new pathways to participation.
- Investing in internal accessibility: Ensuring our systems, training and culture reflect inclusion at every level.
Our plans to enhance inclusivity in the New Year
In 2026, we will continue strengthening accessibility, connection and quality through:
- Improved digital accessibility across our website and online platforms
- Expanded community events across ACT, NSW, WA and VIC
- More co-design and lived-experience involvement
- Growth of our L&D division, including new courses and hands-on competency sessions
- Stronger Support Coordination and Specialist Support Coordination pathways
- More accessible communication formats, including Easy Read and visual guides
- New participant-led storytelling opportunities
- Expanded partnerships that increase opportunities for community inclusion
- More SIL and SDA housing options and clearer vacancy communication
- Better tools for navigating NDIS services
- Greater consistency of care through stronger matching and communication systems
A shared commitment to progress
International Day of People with Disability reminds us that strong communities are built on inclusion. Every action contributes to a society where people with disability can participate fully, freely and confidently.
We are proud to stand with our community, our participants and our team as we work toward a more inclusive, accessible and equitable future.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
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