We look at how the National Disability Insurance Agency is making sure the NDIS is as accessible as possible for its 650,000+ participants.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to support a better life for Australians living with significant and permanent disability, and their families and carers.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent statutory agency established by the Australian federal government to administer the NDIS. One of the ways the NDIA makes sure the NDIS is as accessible as possible for its 650,000+ participants is by promoting diversity and inclusion.
NDIS awareness campaigns
The NDIA understands that people with disability sometimes identify with more than one community. It recognises the diversity of participants through storytelling, education and awareness raising, and special events. This table shows some awareness days and events acknowledged and celebrated by the NDIA, along with some participant stories and videos to read, listen to and watch.
| NAIDOC Week (every July) | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (every March) | IDAHOBIT Day (May 17) | Harmony Week (every March) & Harmony Day (March 17) | International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) (December 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. | The Sydney Mardi Gras is a street parade celebrating LGBTIQA+ communities. It has been held for 46 years and is full of colour and fun! | IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. | This celebration of Australia’s diversity brings together people from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. | The IDPwD promotes an understanding of disability issues and the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disability. It falls on December 3 every year. |
| Read and watch First Nations NDIS participant Travis’ story | Read NDIS participant Peter’s story about the Sydney Mardi Gras | Read NDIS participant Andy’s story about IDAHOBIT | Watch NDIS participant Shee Lah’s story about Harmony Day | Watch a video the NDIA made about IDPwD |
NDIS strategy initiatives
Some of the NDIS’ initiatives in this space are the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) Strategy 2024-2028, LGBTIQA+ Strategy and First Nations Strategy.
The NDIA’s CALD Strategy outlines its commitment to meeting the cultural and language needs of all NDIS participants. It was co-designed with more than 800 people from CALD backgrounds.
The LGBTIQA+ Strategy outlines the NDIA’s commitment to being respectful and responsive to the diverse needs of people with disability who identify as LGBTIQA+, their families, carers and communities. It was developed in consultation with people with disability who identify as LGBTIQA+ and peak organisations in the LGBTIQA+ community and disability sector.
The NDIA is partnering with the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) to co-design a new First Nations Strategy and action plan. The NDIA is committed to working with First Nations peoples and communities. It wants to ensure they feel heard and can meaningfully contribute to the NDIS.
Learn more about how the NDIS approaches diversity and inclusion.
Hard word definitions
| Hard Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Biphobia | Prejudice, discrimination or hatred towards people who are attracted to and have relationships with others of both or all genders. |
| Cultural and Linguistic Diversity | Also called ‘CALD’, this is about Australia’s diversity. One in four Australians was born overseas! Some Australians speak more than one language and have diverse beliefs and ways of doing things. |
| Co-designed | When something is co-designed, the people it is about or for are involved in deciding what it should be like. |
| Homophobia | Prejudice, discrimination or hatred towards homosexuality and people who are same-sex/gender attracted, and towards those in same-sex/gender sexual and romantic relationships (gay and lesbian). |
| Independent statutory agency | An organisation set up by but able to operate without oversight from the government. |
| Interphobia | Prejudice, discrimination or hatred towards people who are intersex, or born with bodies that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female. |
| LGBTIQA+ | LGBTIQA+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual. The + at the end recognises that there are many more ways to be gender, sexually or body diverse. |
| Transphobia | Prejudice, discrimination or hatred towards people who are transgender or gender diverse, including non-binary people. |
| Underway | When something is underway, it is being worked on now. |
Afford’s services
Afford is one of Australia’s largest and most established disability service providers. We deliver a range of quality, rights-based services and community connection for our clients. Tap this link to find out more.
Was this page helpful?
Is there anything missing on this page? Please let us know
Is there anything missing on this page? Please let us know