News
As part of the initial response to the Disability Royal Commission, The Albanese Government has doubled down on its commitment to provide safe and inclusive communities for people with disability.
Applications have opened for the first grant round of the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund. The intention of the fund is to boost community action, improving inclusion and participation for people with disability.
Disability Representative and Disabled People’s Organisations will be among the initial grant recipients, with $50,000 to $300,000 per grant going towards projects focusing on reducing harm and improving inclusion for people with disability.
The initiative will provide professionals, support mainstream services and community spaces with tools required to implement strategies, and become more responsive to the needs of people with disability.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Fund will improve everyday interactions with people with disability.
Discriminatory beliefs and stigma against people with disability are a key source of harm and barrier to participation in employment, education and community life. That’s why increasing understanding of disability and changing community attitudes is so important. If people have a better understanding about the barriers people with disability face, they can take the steps to remove these barriers.
Minister Rishworth went on to state that addressing community attitudes and changing mindsets is a priority, citing the Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.
She labelled the Fund as “a key step towards increasing genuine inclusion in all aspects of life.”
The Fund is part of an $18 million commitment towards disability which is scheduled to be rolled over the next four years.
Grant round applications close on 6 March 2025.