As we come to the end of the year, I want to take a moment to thank you for everything our community has brought to WWDA.
WWDA is, first and foremost, a community-led organisation. The voices, experiences and support of our community are the heart of this organisation and our advocacy. Whether you’ve shared your story, spoken up on an issue that matters to you, taken part in our roundtables and surveys, or simply stayed connected, your involvement shapes our work in ways that truly matter.
In 2025, you worked alongside us on our policy and advocacy efforts to advance the rights, safety and wellbeing of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability. Most notably your voices shaped our 2025 Election Platform, our Disability Discrimination Act Review and our work on economic security – including submissions on Supported Employment and our response to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Gender Economic Equality Study.
Together, we challenged discrimination, advocated for fairer systems, and pushed for change that reflects the realities of our lives. None of this would be possible without your passion, insight and trust. Your support reminds us, time and time again why the work we do matters.
To everyone in our community I wish you a safe, restful and happy festive season. We also recognise that this time of year can be difficult for some, so please look out for yourselves and each other.
If you need support, or someone to chat with, you can visit our Helpline Directory on the Neve website – this Easy Read webpage lists free and confidential services that you can reach out to at any time.
On behalf of everyone at WWDA, thank you for being part of our community and helping push for meaningful change.
See you in 2026.
Sophie Cusworth
CEO, Women With Disabilities Australia
Key Highlights
- We celebrated 30 years of WWDA advocacy.
- We created submissions, statements and reports that focused on our member’s priorities and needs.
- We hosted member roundtables and surveys on employment, healthcare and the DDA Review.
- We led rights-based advocacy for intersectionality, co-design and disability inclusion at UN forums.
- We ran a Federal Election platform to address gender-based violence, disability-inclusive legal definitions and chronic health condition support.
- Neve, our Easy Read-first website for safety and wellbeing was nominated for an accessibility award.
WWDA Youth Network wrap up
- We discussed youth issues and election priorities online and in meetings.
- We hosted a roundtable with UN Youth Australia.
- We held storytelling sessions on human rights and systemic advocacy.
- We led youth roundtables on supported employment and the Disability Discrimination Act.
- We supported youth members speaking at disability health and anti-violence conferences.
- We worked with key organisations like CYDA and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.
December Updates
- WWDA has joined fellow DROs in calling for urgent transparency and safeguards around proposals for ‘computer-generated’ NDIS plans. Read the statement here.
- Our 2025 Annual Report is now available on the WWDA website. Click here to read the full report.
- We observed 16 Days of Activism, sharing member stories of digital violence and safety. Read the stories here.
- The last Youth Advisory Group meeting for 2025 took place on Friday 12 December 2025. The group discussed supports quality, safeguarding and decision-making, as well as their goals for 2026. The next Youth Advisory Group meeting will take place on Friday 27 February 2026.
- WWDA will be closing our offices on Monday 22nd December, and reopen on Monday 5th January 2026.
Other News
National Forum for International Day of People with Disability
At the end of November, DRO leadership, including WWDA CEO Sophie Cusworth, attended the DRO Forum, held online and in person at Parliament House.
WWDA attended a morning tea hosted by NDIS Minister, the Hon Jenny McAllister, in honour of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
The Forum was a valuable opportunity to receive updates on key government initiatives and reforms, and discuss issues that matter to our community.
WWDA presents at Accountability, Resistance and Disruption Research Conference
Last Friday, @Diana Piantedosi (WWDA’s Senior Manager, Policy and Advocacy) presented at the Accountability, Resistance and Disruption! 2025 Research Conference.
Her presentation, “Beyond the Buzzword: ‘Intersectionality’, Gender Inequality and the 2023 NDIS Review’ explored how intersectionality is currently used in Australian law and policy, making the point that intersectionality is not a catch-all for diversity. It means policies that impact us should consider us. It means co-design, transparency and rights-based decision-making that reflect different experiences and voices.
Thank you to the Disability, Law and Society Network of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and UTS Law for creating space for critical, disrupting conversations around disability law, policy and justice.
