On International Day of People with Disability, we explore this year’s theme: ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’. We also share ways you and your organisation can participate in this significant day.

On 3 December, communities around the world will unite to celebrate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). Established by the United Nations in 1992, this important day raises awareness and fosters understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for people with disability.

IDPwD is an opportunity to create a world where 5.5 million Australians with disability can thrive. It is a time to reflect on our progress toward building an inclusive society and take action to address the physical, technological, and attitudinal barriers people with disability face daily.

Amplifying Leadership for an Inclusive Future

The 2024 theme for IDPwD, set by the United Nations, is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. This theme highlights “people with disability as leaders. Leaders with disability make the world a fairer place for everyone.”

Leadership by people with disability ensures that diverse voices and lived experiences shape decisions at every level —from community initiatives to global policies. Empowering leaders with disability benefits everyone, fostering greater inclusion, justice, and equity.

This theme also aligns with significant global initiatives, including the:

• Pact for the Future: Adopted in September 2024, it commits nations to advancing peace, safety, and inclusion.
• Second World Summit for Social Development (2025): This summit will focus on the social aspects of sustainable development, including rights, justice, and discrimination.

IDPwD In Australia

In Australia, advancing leadership opportunities for people with disability is a key priority of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031. This national framework coordinates action across all levels of government to improve the lives of people with disability.

The Strategy:

• Provides national leadership towards greater inclusion of people with disability.
• Guides activity across all areas of public policy to be inclusive and responsive to people with disability.
• Drives mainstream services and systems to improve outcomes for people with disability.
• Engages, informs and involves the whole community in achieving a more inclusive society.

“Our community has the ability to focus on the positives, to see each and every one of us in our unique self; that we are exactly what we all need to make our world better, to also solve the problems we are facing.” – IDPwD Ambassador, Khadija Gbla

How to engage with IDPwD

IDPwD 2024 is more than a day of celebration —it’s a call to action. By amplifying the voices and leadership of people with disability, we take vital steps towards a world where inclusion and equity are the norm.

Ways to get involved:

• Host your own IDPwD event or activity.
• Learn about disability inclusion.
• Watch the IDPwD Ambassador videos.
• Join the conversation and engage with the IDPwD on Facebook or Instagram.

Victoria’s Action Plan

Victoria has implemented the Getting to Work: Victorian Public Sector Disability Employment Action Plan 2018-2025 to increase the representation of people with disability in the public sector workforce. The plan aims to increase representation to 12% by 2025.

The plan outlines 21 actions across three key focus areas:

1. Build awareness through access to information
2. Attract and recruit people with disability
3. Support people with disability.

Recognising that each workplace is unique, the plan highlights the need for tailored approaches to raise awareness and drive meaningful change.

Social Procurement Framework

The Social Procurement Framework (SPF) was introduced in Victoria in late 2018 and requires departments and agencies to ask tenderers about the social and environmental benefits they offer. One of the seven social procurement objectives is: Opportunities for Victorians with disability.

The outcomes sought under this SPF Objectives are:

• Purchasing from Victorian social enterprises and Australian Disability Enterprises
• Employment of Victorians with disability by suppliers to the Victorian Government.

For more information see, Victorians with disability: Social procurement guide.

Conclusion

Whether through hosting an event, starting a conversation, or reflecting on how your organisation can promote accessibility, we can all play a part in building a better future. Together, we can honour the leadership of people with disability and ensure their contributions shape a sustainable and inclusive world for generations to come.

Resources

• Australia’s Disability Strategy Hub (Australian Government)
• About IDPwD (International Day of People with Disability)
• Getting to Work: Victorian Public Sector Disability Employment Action Plan 2019-2025 (VPSC)
• IDPwD 2024 Ambassadors (IDPwD)
• idpwd.org
• IDPwD Events Calendar (IDPwD)
• Information kit for Communities (IDPwD)
• Information kit for Schools (IDPwD)
• Information kit for Workplaces (IDPwD)
• Pact for the Future (UN Foundation)
• Second World Summit for Social Development (UN)
• Social Procurement – Victorian Government Approach (Victorian Government)

***

IMAGE: IDPwD

***