On International Day of People with Disability, the Minns government is launching its four-year plan to build a more accessible, inclusive NSW.
Consistent with the theme of this year’s International Day of People with Disability, the plan will foster more disability inclusive communities for the benefit of everyone. The plan is described as ‘a whole-of-government commitment to improving the lives of the more than 1.5 million people with disability in NSW’.
Designed and developed alongside people with lived experience and disability advocacy organisations, the plan sets targets to promote the abilities and contributions of people with disability. Importantly, it empowers people with disability to exercise their rights through the government’s $29 million investment in the Disability Advocacy Futures Program.
The plan will see increased accessible social housing, new research into domestic, family and sexual violence, and improved accessible point-to-point transport services for people with disability.
Increasing the employment of people with disability is a priority, so the plan demands more public sector employment of people with disability and backs a disability inclusive private sector through improving government procurement from disability enterprises.
To make more government services more accessible, the plan expands information in Easy Read, explores emerging technologies and increases opportunities for students with disability to learn at their local schools.
One in five of us has a disability
Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said, ‘The Minns Labor Government is celebrating International Day of People with Disability with a commitment to build a better, more inclusive and accessible NSW.
‘When one in five people in NSW have a disability, we must ensure we’re removing any barriers to accessing our government’s services. I want to thank everyone who has helped shape our plan to embed inclusion as core government business.’
Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion Liesl Tesch said, ‘People with disability across the state should be able to go to school in their local area, access transport, jump on a government website or find meaningful and ongoing employment when they’ve got the right skills for the job.’
Department of Communities and Justice Secretary Michael Tidball said, ‘The Department of Communities and Justice is proudly leaning in to support the NSW public sector’s work to improve the lives of people with disability, and this plan strengthens our commitment and resolve.
‘The plan is shaped by the people who best understand the barriers to inclusion and the solutions to removing them – people with lived experience of disability.’
Shifting attitudes
Disability Council NSW Chair Jane Spring said, ‘The NSW Disability Inclusion Plan 2026-2029 builds on the work delivered under the previous strategy and serves as a blueprint to shift attitudes, remove physical and digital barriers, and create meaningful opportunities for people with disability across our state.
‘It aligns with Australia’s national strategy and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, sending a clear message that inclusion is not optional—it is foundational.
‘As Chair, it is my privilege—and our collective responsibility—to guide and hold accountable both government and community sectors in embedding disability access as a fundamental right.’
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