Disability Advocacy Resource Unit

20/04/2026

Paternalistic and infantilising language is part of the everyday experience of people with disabilities.

It’s not affectionate, or even benign- It has serious consequences.

This language reinforces power dynamics and ‘others’ people with disabilities, and this is where abuse and neglect thrive.

Tenant Voice, is challenging this language through their ’No Sweetie’ campaign

‘No Sweetie’ uses humour to tackle a serious subject and in particular focuses on provider behaviour. Tenant Voice is asking people to buy a t-shirt/cap, grab a ’sweetie free zone’ poster for their home to tell providers this language is not welcome here.

Check it out here:

Featured Products 'No Sweetie' T-Shirt $30.00 Join the ‘No Sweetie’ Campaign with your groovy T-Shirt and let the world know that it is you and you alone who decides just exactly who is allowed to call you ‘sweet’. If you are a person with disabilities who would love a T-Shirt we’re offeri...

18/03/2026

The upcoming Victorian State Election on Saturday 28 November 2026 is a ripe opportunity for disability advocates to amplify the issues that are important to them and are at the heart of their work.

There are several tactics you can use within this election cycle to optimise your opportunities and make sure your asks are committed to.

This resource, published by the Disability Advocacy Resource unit (DARU) is designed to help disability advocates and disability advocacy organisations prepare for the upcoming Victorian State Election.

In this resource, you will find:

ℹ️ Information on advocacy during elections and how election cycles work
🤝 How to go about reaching the right people
✍ How to begin building your election platform
🪧 What election advocacy tactics you may like to consider &
💭 What advocacy activities you may like to consider this election year.

https://daru.org.au/resource/victorian-state-election-toolkit/

04/03/2026

Hi everyone,
To celebrate International Women's Day, People with Disability Australia is offering this free workshop for women and gender diverse people on leadership

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is excited to offer a free online workshop designed to strengthen inclusive leadership capability for women and gender diverse people with disability.

06/01/2026

We are DARU hope everyone is having or has had a lovely break!
Sharing this video on disability pride from last year as part of disability pride month (in July every year)

18/12/2025

HOLIDAY MESSAGE

As the 2025 year draws to a close, DARU is taking a moment to reflect on what was a memorable year.

Its been a year of change, growth and connection. Lets take a look back at what DARU has accomplished together in 2025:

We sadly said goodbye to Noah Hurst and Damian Cavanagh who both moved on to exciting new opportunities. Their contributions to DARU were impactful and long lasting.

We welcomed back Radhika Rego (Projects and Policy Advisor) from maternity leave and welcomed two new additions to the DARU team- Jax Brown, as our Resource Development Lead, and Jess Cook as our Admin Support.

This year we grew in skills and capability of our longer-term staff.

Internally Melissa Hale took on Acting stints for short periods as the Acting Executive Officer of the Early Educator, Health and Human Services and Sport and Recreation Industry Advisory Group for the Victorian Skills Authority, and also the Acting Director of Community and Sector Development at VCOSS- this gave her fantastic professional development, executive leadership and exposure to different areas of community services, sector regulation and sector development spaces in Victoria that she can now bring and apply at DARU in her role as the Manager. Meanwhile Radhika took on the Acting Manager role at DARU which also built her skills in management, leadership, strategic thinking, and growth.

This, along with the new additions of our team, has inspired new ideas for the growth of DARU in 2026, and the thinking work for the strategy for 2027 and beyond.

The DARU team has created many connection points with the sector this year and grew in our output with the delivery of two Trauma informed Practice training, three Advance your Advocacy Practice webinars, three Advocacy Toolkit workshops, four Victorian Disability Advocacy Leadership Network gatherings, one Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference and many other ad hoc briefings for advocates.

We wrote many dialogue summaries which informed many impactful submissions by advocacy organisations- such as the NDIS Act, Disability Discrimination Act review, Foundational Supports, Thriving Kids, Disability Discrimination Act Education Standards and more.

It’s been a busy year, and it’s going to be our busiest yet in 2026 with the Victorian Election in the pipeline.

Before we fire up the 2026 engine, we hope you find some time to wind down, connect with your loved ones and have an enjoyable Christmas and new year break. See you in 2026!

Warmest,
The DARU team

18/12/2025

Alter State 2026 Expression of Interest (EOI) for Deaf and Disabled Arts Workers
Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria, Alter State is a disability-led arts initiative celebrating Deaf and Disabled artists, creativity and culture.

The ambition of Alter State is to transform the arts landscape by championing Deaf and Disabled leadership, driving cultural equity, expanding Disability-led art forms, and fostering systemic and structural change.

Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria are planning for Alter State in early December 2026. The activities will include:

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at Arts Centre Melbourne
Parties featuring short performances at Arts Centre Melbourne
Exhibition of visual art and screen work at Arts Centre Melbourne
Symposium with artist keynotes and panel conversations at Arts Centre Melbourne
Partnership program of events at other venues.

See EOI attached

Information Session TODAY!
Topic: Alter State EOI - Information session 2

Time: Dec 18, 2025 02:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83961296784

Meeting ID: 839 6129 6784

Passcode: EOI

Key Dates
Expressions of Interest open: 24 November, 2025
Information session 1: Tuesday 9 December at 6pm (Auslan interpreted)
Information session 2: Thursday, 18 December at 2pm (Auslan interpreted)
Expressions of Interest close: 4 January, 2026. Early applications are welcome.
Interviews: February, 2026.
Notifications: March, 2026.

https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/about-us/careers/alter-state-2026-expression-of-interest

Australia's Largest Performing Arts Venue. See What's On, Book Tickets, View an Exhibition, Take a Tour, Dine with Us or Park 24/7.

08/12/2025

How I make life with ADHD easier

It’s estimated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between 2 to 6 per cent of adults in Australia.

International Day of People with Disability storyteller scholar and Brisbane artist Mark du Potiers shares his personal story of how ADHD impacts him and what he does to make life more manageable after being diagnosed in his 30s.

International Day of People with Disability scholar Mark du Potiers shares how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder impacts him day-to-day and what he does to make life more manageable.

08/12/2025

Early findings from Diversity Council Australia’s (DCA) upcoming Inclusion@Work Index show that workers with disability are still facing disproportionately high levels of discrimination and harassment – and the situation is getting worse.

According to the data, 47% of workers with disability reported experiencing discrimination and/or harassment at work in the last 12 months, compared with 25% of workers without disability.

Help build a more inclusive workplace this International Day of Persons with Disabilities

08/12/2025

This study is designed to capture how Australians and New Zealanders use, access and experience assistive technology

What assistive technologies and adaptive strategies people use
Which devices and browsers are most popular

What the online experience is like for assistive technology users

Who should take part in the Assistive Technology Survey 2025:

We are seeking responses from anyone in Australia or New Zealand, aged 18 or over, who utilise assistive technology or adaptive strategies to make their devices easier to use.

This may include:

People with disability who use assistive technology in any form, from mobility aids to screen readers

Older Australians who use technology to support independence or wellbeing

Allied health professionals, educators and support workers involved in assistive technology selection, funding or use.

03/12/2025

https://radiotoday.com.au/radio-celebrates-international-day-of-people-with-disability/

The contributions, leadership and creativity of people with disabilities are being recognised across the Australian radio industry today, as part of