Australian Disability and Development Consortium

We would like to thank Senator Penny Wong and Pat Conroy, and Minister Michael McCormack for their leadership and ambition in delivering the International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS). This landmark strategy sets a powerful precedent for disability equity, with clear performance targets and a commitment to creating transformative change, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Your dedication to advancing inclusion and rights for people with disabilities signals a brighter, more equitable future. IDEARS demonstrates that Australia is not just participating in global conversations on disability equity but spearheading meaningful change. We look forward to working together to bring this vision to life and ensuring that no one is left behind. Thank you for making this vital work a priority. #DisabilityEquity #IDEARS #InclusiveDevelopment Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Just over 15 years ago, governments and development stakeholders committed to #EndPoverty in all its forms everywhere and to ensure #NooneIsLeftBehind. The #2030Agenda & #SustainableDevelopmentGoals brought #GlobalDevelopment objectives in line with commitments made in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.    At the midpoint of the #SDG , we asked expert friends and colleagues to reflect on what they see as challenges and opportunities for realising equity and rights for people with disabilities by 2030. This selection of essays to generate interest and debate. Take a read - we hope you find something in these essays to motivate and inspire. https://lnkd.in/gGd7qQEA These essays were compiled by the Nossal Institute and CBM under the DFAT CBM-Nossal Partnership for the Provision of Disability Technical Advice and Services. Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade CBM Global Disability Inclusion Pacific Disability Forum International Disability Alliance Melbourne Disability Institute

Ahead of the Day of International People with Disability, the Australian Government launched our new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy. It reaffirms our commitment to advancing disability equity to transform lives, reduce inequalities, and build inclusive, cohesive communities. The Strategy introduces Australia’s first performance target for disability equity in our international development program, making clear our expectation that our international development program will deliver better outcomes for people with disability. Additionally, we will invest $12 million to expand access to assistive technology across our region, including hearing aids, wheelchairs and communication devices. The Strategy was shaped by people with disability. We consulted widely, listening to leaders, advocates and experts both in Australia and overseas. We listened to those whose voices are under-represented and worked with partner governments across the Indo-Pacific. And today, we were also fortunate enough to have Sainimili Tawake, the new CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), with us in Parliament House to mark the Strategy’s release. PDF has been a longstanding partner for us in the region, helping shape our approach to best meet the needs of people with disability right across the Pacific. I’m really looking forward to working with Sai on the implementation of this Strategy. #DevelopmentMatters #DisabilityEquity

Advancing equity and rights for people with disability reflects Australia’s values and helps build resilient communities, reduce poverty and foster peace. This week, the Albanese Government launched a new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy. The Strategy will drive meaningful improvements for people with disability through Australia’s international engagement. And it will continue Australia’s proud legacy of support for the rights of people with disability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Read my full statement here: https://lnkd.in/esXBBCAF

Open invitation to learn about Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's new tools and resources to support the practical integration of gender equality, disability equity and climate change outcomes in development programming.

ADDC Executive Committee member Somporn (Fhon) Williams with International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) highlighting a crucial aspect of the Australian Government's new International Disability Equity and Rights strategy.

Today on International Day of People with Disabilities, we are reflecting on what the Government’s new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS) mean for Australia’s aid program. It’s a game-changer! For the first time, Australia’s aid program includes measurable performance targets for disability equity, moving beyond isolated good practice and aiming for system-wide change.  This strategy is a major win for inclusive development and commitments Australia to:  ✅ Investing in partnerships and movements of people with disabilities to lead the drive for equity and rights   ✅ Promoting the preconditions for inclusion to build more equitable and inclusive systems   ✅ Supporting equity in humanitarian assistance and climate action   ✅ Plus 12M committed to seeing assistive technology in the region reach those who need it. As Kerryn Clarke, Executive Officer of ADDC, says:  "Australia is setting the stage for real, lasting change that will partner with and support people with disabilities not just to be in the room, but to have a seat at the table and lead the conversation."  We stand committed to continued engagement with the government to make this vision a reality.  Read more about this and more in our IDPD Bulletin 👉 bit.ly/3ycRs30   #ChampioningDisabilityEquity #DisabilityEquity #IDEARS #InclusiveDevelopment  

🚨 Breaking News on Disability Equity! 🚨 We are thrilled to welcome the Australian Government’s new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS). The commitments in the strategy are an historic step forward in ensuring disability equity is advanced through Australia’s aid program. ADDC was present today as Minister Penny Wong and Minister Pat Conroy jointly release IDEARS at an event marking International Day of People with Disabilities. For the first time, the Australian government has set a target for performance on disability equity across all international development and humanitarian efforts, committing to raising the bar. This is a significant win for the disability movement and our collective calls for ambitious, accountable, and resourced action. Today the Government also announced an investment of $12 million for assistive technology (AT) in the Indo-Pacific over the next four years. This is a vital investment that signals the Government’s ambition for immediate implementation of the new strategy. 💬 Kerryn Clarke, Executive Officer of ADDC, says: "After years of joint advocacy with leaders within the disability movement as well as the Australian development and humanitarian sector, this landmark strategy provides a clear and actionable roadmap for advancing equity with people with disabilities across our region and globally." Read our joint media release 👉 bit.ly/3AZNxbg  

AT can transform lives if the right AT gets to the right person at the right time. ADDC Executive Officer, Kerryn Clarke, Pacific Disability Forum CEO, Sainimili Tawake, Vision2020 CEO, Carly Iles, BHVI CEO, Yvette Waddell and Australian Council for International Development Lanni Hamblin, met with Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy today to discuss the case for increased Australian support to #AssistiveTechnology (AT) in the Pacific. The group represented a larger collective of organisations, including The Fred Hollows Foundation and CBM Australia. AT, such as like wheelchairs, glasses, and hearing aids, empowers people to live independently and thrive. Yet, up to 90% of people across the region do not have access and are locked out of opportunities and left behind. The group welcomed the Government’s recent investment in screening and provision of AT school-aged children in three countries in the Pacific.  With such immense need in the Pacific region, we welcomed the opportunity to discuss with the Minister how growing investment in AT in the Pacific could support the dignity and independence of many across their lifespan.  Ms Sainimili Tawake, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Disability Forum has set the challenge for the Australian Government to meet: "Accessible and appropriate assistive technology is not a luxury—it’s a vital lifeline that enables people with disabilities to participate in their communities on an equal basis with others. For too long, people with disabilities in the Pacific have been denied the tools they need to participate in society fully. We stand ready to work with all partners to deliver real solutions to close this gap." #UnlockTheEveryday #DisabilityEquity #ChampioningDisabilityEquity 

Great to be able to talk about the critical need for better access to assistive technology (AT) in The Indo-Pacific with Shadow Minister Michael McCormack MP at Parliament House this week. Kerryn Clarke, Executive Officer at the Australian Disability and Development Consortium joined us with a reminder that AT, such as like wheelchairs, glasses, and hearing aids, empowers people to live independently and thrive. Yet, up to 90% of people across the region do not have access and are locked out of opportunities and left behind. Investing in AT is both the right and smart choice: every $1 invested returns $9 in economic benefits. We're calling for $12M over four years to ensure no one is excluded. Thank you, Michael, for your support in fostering a more inclusive Indo-Pacific. #AssistiveTechnology #glasses #Pacific #eyehealth #empowering #ROI ping CBM Australia , Vision 2020 Australia , Australian Council for International Development , Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade , BHVI