5 Tips for Inclusion in 2026

My Vision for 2026

Inclusion Vibrancy!

Communities across Australia growing and thriving. 

Growing in their inclusion and accessibility for all people with disabilities. 

Thriving as each person is able to fully participate and contribute

Here are my five tips for your community to grow in accessibility and inclusion in 2026

1. Inclusion starts with relationship

   Genuine friendship. Reciprocal relationship. It is not driven by pity or duty. Inclusion starts with spending time with people...recognising the value and contribution of people with disabilities.

2. People with disabilities are interested in the same topics of conversation as those without disabilities.

   My disability is not front of mind - it often fades into the background. I’m an aunty, sister, daughter, artist, and advocate for people with disabilities. I’m a lover of music. I’m passionate about justice and seeing all people flourish. This is who I am. From these do my thoughts flow. I live with a disability, but I'm not disabled. It's not who I am. It’s an aspect of my life…but we have lots of commonalities to talk about!

3. Recognise that society creates barriers

   The way society is built, and how it operates, marginalises people with disabilities. 1 in 5 Australians live with a disability, rendering it a common experience among humanity. Yet inaccessibility remains. Building inclusion and accessibility into your community requires the barriers that exist to be identified and removed.

4. Learn from people with disabilities’ perspectives

   We have firsthand knowledge of barriers and extensive experience in problem-solving and navigating obstacles. During a conversation with a person with a disability, perhaps you could ask them about the barriers that they face. Where they experience marginalisation? If there's anything that they can't fully participate in and how you can work together to remove those barriers.

5. Discover preferred ways to communicate

   It might be sitting rather than standing. It might be sitting in a quiet place or ensuring the person can clearly read visual clues on your face. It might be walking slower as you talk… going up the ramp together, rather than walking ahead. It might be texting rather than phone calls or vice versa.

These are some first steps you can take to see your community become more inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities during 2026.