The Australian Government is investing $18.3 million through the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund to break down barriers, shift attitudes, and build a more inclusive Australia for persons with disabilities.
In the first round of grants, 25 organisations across the country have been selected to receive support to deliver programs that challenge public perceptions of disability, improve inclusion in mainstream and specialist services, and promote greater community participation.
Successful grant recipients include Disability Representative Organisations and Disabled People’s Organisations who will utilise the funding to develop practical resources and tools across education, sport, arts and more.
The grants support the government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission, which called for measures to tackle enduring systemic and attitudinal barriers preventing the acceptance, consideration and inclusion of people with disability in everyday life.
Minister Butler said: “Too many Australians with disability still face barriers to work, education and community life, often driven by outdated attitudes and a lack of understanding.
“Through the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund, our government is backing projects that break down these barriers and build a fairer, more inclusive society.
“These initiatives will deliver practical tools and resources to help individuals and organisations champion accessibility in their everyday actions.
“Crucially, these projects are being led and shaped by people with lived experience of disability ensuring real impact, driven by the community itself.”
Disability Media Australia Co-operative Limited’s (Powerd Media) Eliza Hull said: “As a disability-led media organisation, Powerd Media is absolutely thrilled to receive funding from the Inclusion and Access Fund to produce Australia’s Disability Strategy Podcast, a six-part audio series hosted by disabled lawyer and writer Sam Drummond.
“Each episode will explore a different outcome of Australia’s Disability Strategy, using storytelling, expert interviews, and lived experience to deepen the understanding of the continued benefit Australia’s Disability Strategy provides.
“This project will amplify the voices of people with disability, while tackling stigma and breaking down attitudinal barriers that persist in society. By demystifying disability and showcasing best-practice models of inclusion, we believe the podcast will influence long-term change in community attitudes – ensuring people with disability are not only better understood but are also more deeply valued and included.”
The Achieve Foundation Executive Director Dr Kirsty Nowlan said: “The Achieve Foundation will use the grant funding to build a set of tools to help change attitudes to disability and build a more inclusive Australia.
“The tools will be used in workplaces, schools and communities. We will be training a network of expert communicators who can help people and organisations to be more accessible.”
