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Australia has its first ever National Autism Strategy.  Along with an associated Action Plan, the government says the documents aim to improve inclusion, support and life outcomes for Australians on the spectrum.  It’s been designed in consultation with autistic people as a national approach to breaking down the barriers that prevent autistic people from accessing… Read more: The National Autism Strategy: now what?

Occasionally, Greg Pinson likes to throw himself out of his wheelchair. And while that might sound strange, it’s for good reason.  Pinson, who was born with spina bifida, is a keen indoor skydiver and the brand ambassador for indoor skydiving provider iFly.  In a way, his ‘flying career’ began with relearning how to have fun;… Read more: Learning to fly, no matter the disability

To say it’s been a busy year for disability policy is, frankly, an understatement. Much of what took place this year was expected, but there were a few surprises too. Here’s our recap of some of the biggest moments of 2024.  Policy and Paralympics  In disability policy, the Federal government released its response to the… Read more: The year in disability

A new dance program from Monash University is driving the development of inclusive dance programs and supporting the wellbeing of children in Australia and China living with disability.   The AllPlay partnership with the only professional dance institution in China, the Beijing Dance Academy, will, for the first time, give children with disabilities outside Australia access… Read more: Dancing all the way to China

PhD candidate Chrissy Antonopoulos is challenging the biases that can limit people with disability – and her work on the subject has recently earned a prestigious award.  Antonopoulos, a registered psychologist, is currently awaiting confirmation of her PhD which focuses on implicit bias towards people with disability. Her research found that people with disability experience… Read more: Implicit bias researcher wins global award

Outgoing NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has made his valedictory speech to the Australian Parliament as he says farewell to politics after 17 years.  Shorten made his speech on Thursday 21 November, with current and former staff as well as Parliamentarians in attendance.  The minister used his speech to reflect on his time serving not just… Read more: Shorten gives farewell speech 

For athlete Ross Patterson, sport is a way of life – and tennis has been his road to world domination.  Tennis became his sport of choice after developing osteomyelitis as a child, which meant he had to give up his beloved AFL and choose a non-contact sport from the age of 11.  He proved to… Read more: Top tennis player reflects on a well-deserved honour

Corene Strauss, CEO of Australian Disability Network, is retiring at the end of this year and while there is still much to do, she’s proud of the impact she has been able to have. Although she’s spent the last three and a half years at AusDN, she’s been part of the disability sector for much… Read more: A leader steps down: in conversation with Corene Strauss

Returning to study as a mature age student was not originally on the cards for Michelle Hastie – but sometimes things are just meant to be.  In Hastie’s case, having taught secondary students for 12 years, it was the subject matter that swayed her.  “I had wanted to study… inclusive ed for probably almost ten… Read more: When the personal becomes professional: Hastie’s mission to make learning inclusive

The face of brands is changing thanks to the work of certified social enterprise Disinfluencer.  Disinfluencer is an Australian first: a content and branding hub that helps businesses be more inclusive and promote their own inclusivity with sensitivity and pride.  It was founded by Simone Eyles, who has a background in marketing and design. Inspired… Read more: A vision to dismantle marketing for better inclusion

A coalition of Queensland-based disability advocates has called for action on the health inequalities faced by people with intellectual disability, ahead of the state’s election this weekend.  The joint statement was released by Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), Queensland Centre of Excellence in Autism and Intellectual Disability Health (QCEAIDH), Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID)… Read more: Advocates back action for health of people with intellectual disability 

Dr Erica Tandori is on a journey to make science accessible for everyone.  As an academic at Monash University, she helped to create the first exhibition on infection and immunity for people with blindness or low vision, including large tactile posters with braille labels and large text, 3D models of immune cells, viruses, and proteins,… Read more: Awakening the senses to accessible science 

Olivia Brown spoke at the inaugural World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane, presenting to around 1000 people from over 45 countries. The 19-year-old who lives with Down syndrome, co-facilitates a weekly volunteer playgroup with NFP Play Matters Australia and is a youth mentor at Lemonade Kids playgroup in Brisbane.    Olivia recently spoke to the… Read more: A role to PLAY 

A new Specialist Disability Employment Program, that replaced the current DES program is now open for tender.      The new program, effective from July 1, 2025, is intended to improve employment and career outcomes for people with disability through individualised and effective specialist disability employment services.   It will concentrate on providing tailored supports to assist people… Read more: Disability Employment Program open for tender

At the historic Brisbane Powerhouse, 17 metres or four stories above the Brisbane River diners are seated at tables for two strapped to the outside of the building. Guests are escorted to the roof, lowered into their seats with a safety harness to an elegant dining setting, tethered to the table. And the best part?… Read more: Get a ‘rush’ like no other 

A brand new cohort of Seeing Eye Dogs has graduated school and is ready to take up the life-changing mantle.  On Wednesday 18 September, 42 Seeing Eye Dogs and their handlers from across Australia attended Vision Australia’s annual graduation ceremony.  They have been put through rigorous training to ensure they are prepared for life as… Read more: Next generation of guide dogs graduate

The Federal Government is setting up a program for up to 200 autistic women in the South Brisbane, Central Queensland and Toowoomba regions, intended to build links in their community  with a series of support groups.  The Connections for Women project will be delivered face to face and online, facilitated by an autistic woman and… Read more: Funding support for Queensland women with autism

Adaptive fashion brand JAM The Label is partnering with A Fitting Connection to give people with disabilities new opportunities in fashion creation.  Through a new partnership – supported by funding through the Penfolds Evermore Grant Program – people with disabilities will be offered the opportunity to create or contribute to the creation of new products… Read more: Creative partnership fuels JAM’s future 

In the second half of a two-part story, Link speaks with the South Australian Assistant Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke, about what the state government  is doing for people with autism.   South Australian Assistant Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke, has hit the ground running. Her portfolio is responsible for delivering change for South Australians with… Read more: “Working with the community”: Link speaks to the SA Assistant Minister for Autism 

AI has huge potential.  We work with it, to enhance creativity and access to the creative arts. One example is the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The museum has worked with software to bring the creative arts to art lovers who are blind or with low vison, and by doing so, have made the artwork accessible to… Read more: Art galleries, accessibility and artificial intelligence.