The NSW Government has marked International Day of People with Disability, with the launch of its four-year plan to build a more accessible, inclusive state.
The Government says the plan is a whole-of-Government commitment to improving the lives of the more than 1.5 million people with disability in NSW.
“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,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion, Liesl Tesch.
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to people with disability through this plan, and I am excited to keep turning this commitment into real action within communities.”
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 also captures the Government’s commitment to building liveable and safer communities. This 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.
Department of Communities and Justice Secretary, Michael Tidball said the Department of Communities and Justice was 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, he said.
“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.
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this strategy, and for the continued efforts across government to make NSW a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
The Government says 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 also expands information in Easy Read, explores emerging technologies and increases opportunities for students with disability to learn at their local schools.
“When one-in-five people in NSW have a disability, we must ensure we’re removing any barriers to accessing our government’s services,” said Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped shape our plan to embed inclusion as core government business.”
To ensure the plan has impact across the state, it provides the framework for Government agencies and local councils to develop their Disability Inclusion Action Plans by 30 June 2026.
“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,” said Disability Council NSW Chair, Jane Spring.
“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.”
To learn more, visit the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan 2026-2029 website.
