Welcome to the November update on all things WWDA. This update is sent directly to our members as our part of our monthly newsletter – become a member or join our mailing list today.
WWDA releases its 2025 Annual Report
WWDA has published its 2025 Annual Report, reflecting on the work done during our 30th year of community-based leadership and action. It highlights our campaigns, policy work and advocacy to advance the rights, safety and inclusion of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities across Australia this year.
Thank you to our members, community, partners, funders, staff and Management Committee for your ongoing support and commitment to our work.
Submission: Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Review
WWDA has publicly released its submission to the Australian Government’s review of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
The submission, guided by member experience and ideas, argues the DDA must change from a reactive, complaints-based mechanism into a proactive, systemic framework that prevents discrimination before it happens. Reform should include equality across all areas of public life, shift responsibility from individuals to duty holders, and make our rights a priority, rather than an ideal.
16 Days of Activism: Our voices. Our stories.
WWDA is proud to support the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December). Focused on the impact of digital violence, WWDA’s campaign is member-led, amplifying the voices of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities who have experienced it.
Explore these stories here. Content may be distressing for some readers.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)
On December 3rd, we celebrate the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). This year’s United Nations theme is “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress“.
As we also recognise 16 Days of Activism, we’re reflecting on our work and how to build truly disability-inclusive digital spaces. Online spaces can heal and harm – real inclusion has to be designed from the start.
Office closure over holiday period
After a very busy year, WWDA will be closing our offices on Monday 22nd December 2025, and reopening on Monday 5th January 2026.
Our last day of operation this year will be Friday 19th December 2025.
Other News
Joint Statement: Social Security and Other Leg. Amendments Bill 2025
WWDA has joined the call for the Federal Government to abandon Schedule 5 of the Social Security and Other Legislative Amendments (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025.
WWDA stands with fellow DROs and other organisations in urging the Government to ensure that any reforms are transparent and uphold our human rights.
Parliamentary Roundtable on sexual violence
Earlier this month, CEO Sophie Cusworth attended Parliament House for a national roundtable on sexual violence, hosted by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Social Services), the Hon. Ged Kearney (Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence), and the Working with Women Alliance.
The discussion allowed Sophie to highlight the high rates of sexual violence experienced by women and girls with disability, particularly in segregated, residential and institutional settings.
WWDA continues to advocate for inclusive, community-led systemic change to prevent violence and promote inclusion in policy development.
Image: Sophie Cusworth in a group photo from the Roundtable, featuring Hon. Tanya Plibersek, sector organisation leaders and Hon. Michelle Rowland (Attorney-General).
Women’s Voices Forum
Working with Women Alliance invited WWDA to join the Women’s Voices Forum at the end of November, as part of the Working for Women (WfW) Research Partnership with the Australian Government.
At the forum, Sophie discussed key issues affecting women and gender-diverse people with disabilities across Australia, including economic security, healthcare, care support, and the critical importance of flexible working arrangements. She also shared insights from our national consultations on economic security, employment, health and discrimination.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these conversations, and to ensure disability inclusion is embedded in every step of the WfW strategy.
Image: Sophie Cusworth and other Forum attendees in a large group photo.
UN Youth Representative Report 2025
In June, WWDA Youth joined a roundtable with the UN Youth Ambassador Satara Uthayakumaran, alongside our partner DROs.
We discussed the urgent priorities of young people with disability across Australia, including mental health, economic security, housing and digital safety.
We welcome the publication of the 2025 Youth Representative Report, and remain committed to ensuring the voices of young people with disability continue to shape national and global policy.
External: 2025 Alliance Human Rights Survey
The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance has launched Australia’s only national Human Rights survey designed by and for people with lived experience of mental health challenges.
To find out more or take the survey, click here.
Survey closes 31 December 2025.
