The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to safe and inclusive communities for people with disability as part of its initial response to the Disability Royal Commission.
Today, the first grant round of the Inclusion and Accessibility Fund will open for applications under an $18 million commitment over the next four years.
The fund aims to boost community understanding so people can take action to improve inclusion and participation for people with disability in society.
The first round of grant opportunities will be awarded to experienced Disability Representative Organisations and Disabled People's Organisations for high quality projects between $50,000 and $300,000 that focus on reducing harm and improving inclusion for people with disability.
This will help professionals, like doctors, to improve the way they communicate and better include people with disability in the things that are important to them.
It will also support mainstream services and community spaces to take actions to become more inclusive and responsive to the needs of people with disability so they can participate in their communities.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Fund has been designed to improve everyday interactions with people with disability.
"We know that people with disability can face barriers because other people don't understand what it means to live with disability, and that discriminatory beliefs and stigma against people with disability are a key source of harm and barrier to participation in employment, education and community life," Minister Rishworth said.
"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 increase the safety and inclusion of the more than 5.5 million Australians with disability.
"Addressing community attitudes and changing mindsets is a priority area under Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031, and a key step towards increasing genuine inclusion in all aspects of life."
Grant round applications open today and close on 6 March 2025.
Interested organisations can find more information on the Grant Connect website at www.grants.gov.au.
